Heart Of The Matter - A Podcast On Legal Developments From Around The World

Renewable energy is reshaping the global energy landscape, and Vietnam is no exception. With its significant strides in wind and solar power investment, Vietnam is emerging as a compelling case study in the shift towards sustainable energy production.

Stakeholders in international energy markets, project financing, or environmental legislation will find the burgeoning Vietnamese renewable energy sector both intriguing and rich with opportunity. This episode looks at the complexities and legal intricacies as Vietnam embraces the winds of change and the sun's bountiful rays.

Our Guests

Sesto Vecchi

Sesto has over 35 years of experience practicing law in Vietnam. His expertise includes corporate and commercial law with particular emphasis on foreign investment.

He acts for numerous multinational and mid-size investors, both foreign and Vietnamese. He has written and spoken extensively on Vietnamese legal issues.

He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, was an arbitrator for the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, and a former active duty lieutenant in the US Navy.

Lâm Nguyễn Hoàng Thảo

Prior to pursuing a law degree, and for nearly 12 years, Thao worked in the Energy Sector with SCHLUMBERGER, one of the world’s largest upstream oil and gas service companies.

Thao completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Practical Legal Training in Australia.

Thao has both Vietnamese and Australian citizenship. Thao returned to Vietnam in 2022 and started engaging in the Vietnamese legal market. Thao joined RUSSIN & VECCHI in 2023 and specializes in Energy Matters.

In this episode, we explore how law firms can benefit significantly from integrating fixed-fee arrangements into their practice. Whether you're an independent attorney or part of a larger firm, this model promises transparency, predictability, and a renewed focus on efficiency—not to mention the strategic leverage it provides in a competitive market.

Our Host

Ajay Shamdasani

Ajay is a veteran writer, editor and researcher based in Hong Kong. He holds an AB in history and government from Ripon College, JD and MIPCT degrees from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce Law School, and an LLM in financial regulation from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago-Kent College of Law.

His 15-year long career as a financial and legal journalist began as deputy editor of A Plus magazine – the journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From there, he assumed the helm of Macau Business magazine as its editor-in-chief, and later, joined Asialaw magazine as its deputy editor.

More recently, he spent close to seven years as a senior correspondent with Thomson Reuters’ subscription-based trade-wire service Regulatory Intelligence/Compliance Complete (previously called Complinet) in Hong Kong. While there, he covered regulatory developments in that city, as well as Singapore, India and South Korea.

Our Guest

Kevin Bowers

Kevin is a dual-qualified lawyer in England + Wales and Hong Kong and has practiced as a commercial disputes lawyer and partner with three leading independent Hong Kong law firms over the last twenty years.

Kevin specialises in commercial, insurance and employment litigation and dispute resolution both in Hong Kong and internationally. He handles complex multi-jurisdictional commercial cases involving debt recovery, sale of goods, trade finance, media law, fraud, shareholder, joint venture, employment, property (including land rights disputes and building management / tenancy issues) and franchise disputes, contentious family/probate/trusts, asset tracing, injunction proceedings, jurisdictional challenges, public inquiries and judicial reviews.

Kevin is a Solicitor Advocate in Hong Kong, and an Accredited Mediator with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and The Law Society of Hong Kong. He has appeared as an expert witness (on Hong Kong corporate law) in the BVI High Court.

In this episode, we delve into the crucial information about obtaining the Long-Term Resident Visa in Thailand. From understanding the eligibility criteria to navigating the application process, we aim to equip you with the essential knowledge to turn your plans with Thailand into a reality. Whether you are a retiree seeking tranquility amidst breathtaking landscapes, a digital nomad in pursuit of high-speed internet on stunning shores, or an investor exploring a world of vibrant opportunities, we hope will be able to help you with your research.

Our guest.

Dhinapa Apaivongse - Senior Investment Promotion Officer - Thailand Board of Investment

For more information, please visit

https://www.ilct.co.th/

It is essential to foster positive relationships with your local workforce and stay compliant with state regulations. One way to do both is through employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) – an incentive that can potentially have tremendous benefits for corporations operating within Vietnam. In this episode, we explore ESOPs specifically in the context of Vietnam and explain their advantages in maintaining strong corporate relations while carving out financial gains.

Our Guests

Sesto Vecchi

Sesto has over 35 years of experience practicing law in Vietnam. His expertise includes corporate and commercial law with particular emphasis on foreign investment.
He acts for numerous multinational and mid-size investors, both foreign and Vietnamese. He has written and spoken extensively on Vietnamese legal issues.

He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, was an arbitrator for the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, and a former active duty lieutenant in the US Navy.

Dao Hong Diu

Diu joined Russin & Vecchi in 2008 upon graduation from law school.
Her core areas of practice are corporate and foreign investment.
She specializes in foreign based, long-term employee incentive plans sometimes called employee stock option plans ("ESOPs"), offered to employees in Vietnam.
She has an interest in the regulation of anti-money laundering as it impacts corporate compliance responsibility in both the financial and non-financial sectors.

For more information about labour laws in Vietnam, please visit

https://www.russinvecchi.com.vn/

Vietnam is becoming an increasingly attractive proposition for doing business. Not only is it a flourishing and vibrant economy, but the labour force also offers some unique advantages for those wishing to invest in Vietnam's future. For businesses interested in keeping abreast of the latest developments in this dynamic labour and employment landscape, it pays to stay informed as laws and guidelines are ever-evolving in this country. In this podcast, we explore how businesses can navigate through Vietnam's legal landscape while staying compliant with current regulations.

Our Guests

Sesto Vecchi

Sesto has over 35 years of experience practicing law in Vietnam. His expertise includes corporate and commercial law with particular emphasis on foreign investment.
He acts for numerous multinational and mid-size investors, both foreign and Vietnamese. He has written and spoken extensively on Vietnamese legal issues.

He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, was an arbitrator for the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, and a former active duty lieutenant in the US Navy.

Dao Thi Ai

Ai’s practice focuses almost entirely on employment issues. This includes compensation and benefits, transfer of employment, foreign employees, labor discipline, termination, restructuring and more.

The task is always to combine legal knowledge with a commercial awareness to help the client achieve the best outcome.

For more information about labour laws in Vietnam, please visit

https://www.russinvecchi.com.vn/

Data protection is a hot topic in many countries, and it's especially important for businesses to be aware of current laws when it comes to protecting their customers' information. Nowhere is this truer than in Vietnam, where the recent implementation of Decree 13 has spurred an unprecedented level of regulation related to data collection and storage. This new law intends to protect user privacy while providing guidance on how companies should safely manage data. This episode will provide an overview of the requirements outlined in Decree 13 so that organizations can make educated decisions about what measures they need to take in order to comply with all applicable regulations
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Please visit Russin & Vecchi for more information

Our Guests

Le Ton Viet

Viet is a member of the Asia Data Protection & Security Practice Group of Meritas.
He has a particular focus on data security, marketing and advertising practices, international data transfer and other privacy and cybersecurity matters.

He counsels a broad range of clients on data privacy regulation and breach response.
Additionally, he represents clients in various transactions in the field of hotel management, real estate and insurance.

Philip Ziter

Prior to joining Russin & Vecchi, Philip worked in Vietnam as an attorney at a top tier regional law firm and later with a commercial firm involved in blockchain.

Philip advises on corporate and transactional matters, and on financing arrangements.

Philip has been legal advisor to a handful of startup companies. He is knowledgeable in the fintech, blockchain, and e-commerce industries in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US.

Philip has also worked with manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and many entities in cross-border transactions.

He advises on inbound investments involving corporate finance, manufacturing, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions.

As the legal industry in Asia explodes with commercial growth opportunities, so too does the demand for innovative financing solutions to help lawyers and their clients better manage litigation risk. In particular, one increasingly popular form of alternative finance – litigation funding – has been gaining traction in numerous countries across the continent, as savvy legal professionals are turning to this novel approach to improve their competitive edge. By providing access to capital without adversely affecting a firm’s borrowing capacity or requiring high-interest rates for repayment, this emerging financing trend is allowing lawyers and firms throughout Asia to get involved with more complex cases than ever before. In this blog post we'll explore how litigations funding can be used in Asia and its implications for both law firms and individual practitioners alike.

Our Guest

Emily Tillett - Vice President - Burford

Emily is responsible for leading its investment activity and operations in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong, Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyer, Ms. Tillett has multijurisdictional expertise in complex commercial disputes. Prior to joining Burford, Ms. Tillett was Of Counsel at Allen & Overy in Hong Kong, where she focused on representing clients in litigation, regulatory investigations and arbitration, including contentious insolvency and fraud matters. She began her career with Minter Ellison lawyers and has since advised and acted for corporate and individual clients, including corporations, investment banks, financial services and brokerage firms and professional service providers, on high value, complex disputes in a variety of sectors. Ms. Tillett earned her law degree with first class honours together with her degree in Arts (Psychology) from the University of Otago in New Zealand.

The world of third-party funding is growing in Asia, and it could have a profound effect on the legal marketplace. Historically undervalued and overlooked, this type of funding can be used to provide lawyers with access to resources that might otherwise be out of reach. With the right approach, funding may be available for matters ranging from small individual disputes to large-scale corporate actions. This episode will explore the ins-and-outs and opportunities presented by Third Party Funding in Asia.

Our Guest

Emily Tillett - Vice President - Burford

Emily is responsible for leading its investment activity and operations in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong, Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyer, Ms. Tillett has multijurisdictional expertise in complex commercial disputes. Prior to joining Burford, Ms. Tillett was Of Counsel at Allen & Overy in Hong Kong, where she focused on representing clients in litigation, regulatory investigations and arbitration, including contentious insolvency and fraud matters. She began her career with Minter Ellison lawyers and has since advised and acted for corporate and individual clients, including corporations, investment banks, financial services and brokerage firms and professional service providers, on high value, complex disputes in a variety of sectors. Ms. Tillett earned her law degree with first class honours together with her degree in Arts (Psychology) from the University of Otago in New Zealand.

The renewable energy market in the Philippines is a rapidly growing sector, with tremendous potential for growth and development. As part of this expansion, it is essential to stay informed on the legal and regulatory dynamics that come along with investing in renewables. From new standards coming into effect to policy updates from national authorities, understanding these key aspects of working in the Filipino renewable industry can open up doors for success across sectors. In this episode, we’ll be exploring some recent developments around legal and regulatory changes occurring within the Philippine renewable energy market. We’ll look at incentives and key points of consideration when entering into partnerships or conducting investments related to sustainable sources of electricity generation here in The Philippines.

For more information, please visit www.divinalaw.com


Our Guest

Jose M. Layug, Jr., Senior Partner - DivinaLaw

Investing in sustainable energy sources is becoming increasingly popular all around the world as businesses and individuals alike begin to recognize the importance of reducing their carbon footprints. The renewable energy market has also been booming in some countries, including the Philippines. Foreign investors have recently begun to take advantage of this investment opportunity; however, it pays for potential investors to be well-informed before taking that plunge into a new industry. This episode will provide an overview of what international buyers should know about investing in renewable energy projects located within the Philippine’s borders – from recent developments in sustainability legislation, to key opportunities involving wind, solar and other renewables.

For more information, please visit www.divinalaw.com


Our Guest

Jose M. Layug, Jr., Senior Partner - DivinaLaw