Lao PDR

DFDL was established in the Lao PDR in 1994. Our Lao PDR team has the knowledge and insights to help clients navigate the complexities of this emerging market and provide commercially focused advice.

DFDL has a pre-eminent legal practice in Laos, offering impressive regional expertise. The firm is highly reputed for its frequent involvement in complex project financings, including hydro energy and developments for power production and transmission infrastructure. “I trust DFDL’s ability to appreciate the cultural and other aspects of doing business in Lao PDR. The broader awareness is helpful, as is the support with other aspects of business, such as formal translations.” – Chambers Asia Pacific 2023 – DFDL Lao PDR

Our Lao PDR team has developed a dynamic and active corporate and commercial practice geared towards meeting the growing demands of foreign and domestic companies wishing to invest in new projects and acquire interests in established businesses. We have extensive experience in company establishment, corporate advisory, corporate secretarial, and joint ventures.
 
Our legal experts advised on a comprehensive revision of the Law on Minerals in the Lao PDR, based on detailed analysis of the existing regulatory environment and best practices in the mining sector from across the region.

We have also advised lender syndicates and sponsors on development and financing of domestic and cross-border energy projects. DFDL Lao PDR also helped an ASEAN-based investment fund on its onshore acquisition of a stake in a leading Lao PDR health and education services.
 
Our legal team also advised a major hydro company in relation to a 1,272MW seven-cascade hydropower project, assisting with project company share transfers, review and negotiation of project documents, licenses and permits.

Key Credentials:

  • World Bank and Thai Lender Consortium in relation ongoing advisory assistance to Nam Theun 2 1,070 MW hydropower project with project value USD 1.5 billion.
  • IFC in relation to legal advisory report regarding private sector investment in the transmission network covering sector specific regulations, investment promotion and tax, FX, environmental and employment matters.
  • Sinohydro (Hong Kong) Holding Ltd with respect to its concession agreement for the development of the 770 MW Pak Lay project.
  • Mekong Timber Plantations in relation to advice on all Lao law aspects of a USD 14 million loan from Dutch Development Fund (FMO) required for financing of its processing mill.
  • A Singaporean Private Equity Fund on an onshore and offshore acquisition of a stake in a Lao PDR media and advertising company, including due diligence, transaction structuring and assisting through to the financial close.
  • A Luxury Hotel Chain in undertaking a due diligence of licensing and land of an existing hotel in Luang Prabang.
  • A South Korean Company with a comprehensive report on the tax regulatory frameworks applicable to a foreign-owned retail chain in the Lao PDR, including a detailed analysis of establishment, operation and supply chains.

Awards

2024 asialaw

  • Banking and Financial Services Lao PDRHighly Recommended
  • Infrastructure Lao PDRHighly Recommended
  • Infrastructure Lao PDRHighly Recommended
  • General Business Law Lao PDROutstanding

2024 chambers and partners asia pacific

  • General Business Law Lao PDRBand 1

2024 legal 500 asia pacific

  • Leading Firm Cambodia & Lao PDRTier 1

Address

Visaya Office Building, 4th Floor, 249 Lao-Thai Road,
Vatnak Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
View on Google Maps

Contact

856 21316871
laos@dfdl.com

Opening Hours

8 AM – 6 PM
Monday – Friday

Key Contact

Partner, Managing Director, Lao PDR | Co-Head of Regional Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure | Co-Head Regional Compliance and Investigations
Lao PDR
+856 21 316 871

Insights

Intelligence from the DFDL legal team

Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure
Oct 11 2024

Vietnam MOIT decision on Tariffs for Power Imported from Laos

In Brief On 8 October 2024 the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 2647/QD-BCT (“Decision 2647”) with immediate…
News
Oct 4 2024

DFDL honoured by multiple awards at asialaw and Managing IP Asia Awards 2024

We are delighted for the recent awards at the first joint asialaw Awards 2024 and Managing IP Asia-Pacific Awards 2024…
Tax & Transfer Pricing
Oct 3 2024

Transfer Pricing Thresholds in Southeast Asia

Transfer Pricing (TP) has become a key focus for tax authorities in Southeast Asia (SEA) in today’s interconnected global economy.…
News
Sep 18 2024

DFDL earns multiple accolades in the IFLR1000 rankings

The 2024 rankings by IFLR1000 are out and we are happy to share that DFDL has been acknowledged for yet…
News
Sep 17 2024

DFDL achieved Outstanding Results in 2024 Asialaw Rankings

DFDL is proud to maintain its position as a leading law firm in the ASEAN region, earning top rankings in…
Tax & Transfer Pricing
Jul 29 2024

DFDL Simplified Checklist on Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the OECD

You may have heard about the Two-Pillar solution (“Pillar 1” and “Pillar 2“) designed to address the tax challenges from…
Anti-Trust and Competition
Mar 29 2024

David Fruitman's Definition of "Margin Squeeze" Now Published on Concurrences

We are thrilled to announce that David Fruitman’s definition of “Margin Squeeze” has been officially published in Concurrences’ Global Dictionary…
Tax & Transfer Pricing
Mar 28 2024

Laos Issues Guidance on VAT Obligations for Digital Goods and Services, Digital Platforms, and E-commerce has been published in the Lao Official Gazette on 26 March 2024

On 14th February 2024, the Ministry of Finance in Laos released a new instruction numbered 0558/MOF. This instruction deals with…