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M&A & Corporate

Cross-Border M&A: European Private Equity Acquisition in Vietnam’s Logistics Sector

A European private equity buyer took board majority and operational control of a Vietnamese logistics company despite the 49% foreign ownership cap, using convertible preference shares.

By Vu Manh Quynh, Managing Partner, Attorney-at-Law· · 1 min read
Finance and tax team reviewing figures in a sunlit Ho Chi Minh City office (AI-generated illustration)

Case Overview

A European private equity firm sought to acquire a majority stake in a Vietnamese joint-stock company operating in the logistics sector. The transaction required foreign ownership approval, due diligence on compliance status, and post-acquisition restructuring for operational control.

Challenges

Vietnam’s conditional sector restrictions imposed a 49% foreign ownership cap in certain logistics sub-sectors. The transaction required careful structuring to achieve effective control while remaining within the regulatory limit, alongside clean title verification for intellectual property and real property assets.

ECOVIS Solution

ECOVIS Vietnam Law conducted full legal due diligence, structured a convertible preference share arrangement to secure economic rights beyond the ownership cap, and negotiated the Share Purchase Agreement and shareholders’ agreement. Post-closing, the team handled the IRC amendment and updated business registration to reflect the new investor.

Outcome

The transaction closed on schedule. The client secured effective operational control and board majority through preference share mechanics, with full regulatory compliance confirmed by the Business Registration Authority.

See our Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures services for more on structuring foreign acquisitions, or contact our team to discuss your project.

Vu Manh Quynh

Author

Vu Manh Quynh

Managing Partner, Attorney-at-Law, of ECOVIS Vietnam Law, a member firm of the ECOVIS International network. Over 20 years advising foreign investors on foreign direct investment, cross-border M&A, market entry and corporate structuring in Vietnam. Previously an attorney at a leading German business law firm; MBA, University of Wismar (Germany); lecturer in international commercial law at USSH – Vietnam National University. Works in German, English and Vietnamese.

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