Eric Johnson is the managing partner of the firm’ Hanoi office. He specialises in complex cross-border public and private M&A, joint ventures, and private equity transactions.
Having lived and practiced law in Vietnam for nearly a decade, Eric is a forward-thinking lawyer who combines local strategic insight with a global perspective on every mandate. Working alongside Freshfields’ talented Vietnam team, Eric is committed to delivering exceptional outcomes and driving success for the firm’s clients in this dynamic market.
Eric guides clients through the evolving landscape of technology, financial services, education, healthcare, ports and transportation, energy, and real estate. He provides sector-specific insights that empower strategic decision-making and help clients navigate Vietnam’s complex regulatory environment.
Eric frequently contributes thought leadership articles and publications to support investors in Vietnam. He served several terms on the board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi, most recently as chairman. He also represented the Chamber on the board of the Vietnam Business Forum. Through these roles, Eric has developed an in-depth understanding of the global policy landscape, enhancing his ability to deliver tailored, strategic advice to clients in mandates that matter to them most.
- Several leading global asset managers from the United States and Australia on their investments into industrial real estate platforms in Vietnam.
- One of the largest shipping companies in the world on a successful joint ventures with SOE partners for the construction and operation of a deep-sea terminal in Hai Phong (deal successfully completed), and two other on-going port projects.
- A MENA sovereign wealth fund on its various investment transactions across Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
- A major Asian investor on its US$350 million convertible bond issued by a major Vietnamese industrial, automotive, and real estate corporation.
- An Asia-based conglomerate on their potential acquisition of a major private hospital business in Vietnam.
- A Japanese major investor on its investment in a leading renewable energy company.
- An Asian sovereign wealth fund on its US$203 million minority investment in a subsidiary of Vingroup that owns and operates seven general hospitals in Vietnam and a number of clinics and pharmacies across the country.
- A US multinational fintech company on its Series B investment in a leading digital payments company in Vietnam.
- An Asian sovereign wealth fund on its investment in an e-logistics company with operations across the Asia Pacific, including a major presence in Vietnam.
- A US-listed tech company on its potential investment in a Vietnamese bank that focuses on digital banking model with a deep tech ecosystem.
- An Asian sovereign wealth fund on its Series B investment in a leading last-mile delivery e-logistics business in Vietnam.
- A US private equity fund on their US$250m investment by way of convertible bonds and non-convertible warrant-linked bonds issued by one of the leading listed property development companies in Vietnam.
- A global education investor on their 100% acquisition of an international K-12 school in Ho Chi Minh City.
- A US private equity fund on a major acquisition in the real estate / gaming / hospitality sector in Vietnam.
- A leading US multinational financial institution on the sale of its securities business in Vietnam to a Korean banking group.
Suite 1602 16th Floor Hanoi Central Office Building
44B Ly Thuong Kiet Street
Cua Nam Ward