Investment Advisory
EPS Investing supports businesses in assessing opportunities, making informed decisions and advancing investment or expansion plans in Vietnam.
From Objectives to Actionable Decisions
Investing or expanding in Vietnam requires more than a market report or a list of contacts. Businesses need to define what they are trying to achieve, identify the most relevant options, test key assumptions and determine a practical path toward implementation.
Sound decisions require verifiable information, direct engagement with relevant parties and a practical understanding of Vietnam’s business environment, policy context and market dynamics.
EPS combines investment and commercial judgment, understanding of Vietnam’s economic and policy environment, management and business experience, trusted local relationships and hands-on coordination to support businesses in assessing options and moving viable opportunities toward informed decisions.
Scope of Support
Businesses may engage EPS at different stages, from an initial consideration of Vietnam to a specific opportunity, location, partner or investment plan that requires further assessment and advancement. The scope of each assignment is structured around the decision to be made and the issues that need to be addressed at that stage.
1. Clarify Objectives and Criteria
EPS works with the business to clarify objectives, initial assumptions, evaluation criteria and the key questions that need to be answered before a decision is made. This provides the basis for determining which options merit further consideration and which information needs to be verified.
2. Identify and Screen Options
EPS identifies and screens businesses, projects, assets, locations, business partners, operating partners and other relevant options against agreed criteria. Alternatives that lack strategic fit or a credible basis are filtered out early so that resources can be focused on the more promising opportunities.
3. Assess Opportunities and Risks
EPS assesses strategic fit, investment and commercial logic, the quality of relevant parties, financial and legal considerations, implementation conditions and material risks. Where deeper specialist due diligence is required, EPS can coordinate the appropriate experts.
4. Engage and Verify
EPS engages decision-makers and relevant stakeholders, arranges direct discussions, verifies information and tests important assumptions. Findings from the market support the business in deciding whether to proceed, adjust or discontinue an option.
5. Investment and Market Visits
EPS develops a working programme aligned with the business objective, arranges meetings and site visits in Vietnam, and coordinates the practical requirements needed to keep the visit focused on matters relevant to the investment or expansion decision.
6. Local Representation and Coordination
When a business does not yet need to establish a full local team, EPS can serve as its point of coordination in Vietnam: maintaining relationships with relevant parties, attending meetings, following up on commitments and workstreams, coordinating required resources and reporting matters that need management decisions.
The scope of representation, authority, responsibilities, duration and fee structure are agreed clearly for each assignment.
Which Businesses Is This Service For?
EPS works with businesses considering an investment, establishing a presence or expanding operations in Vietnam; businesses seeking and assessing companies, projects, assets, locations or partners; and businesses that already have a specific opportunity but require further assessment and local support before making a decision.
The service is best suited to businesses with a real commercial objective, an identified decision-maker and the resources required to verify and advance viable opportunities.
Each assignment is agreed in advance in terms of scope, deliverables, responsibilities, timeline and fee structure.
How EPS Delivers an Assignment
- Define the decision to be made: Translate the business objective into key questions, evaluation criteria and a clear scope of work.
- Build the information base: Combine research, investment and commercial analysis, verifiable information and practical understanding of the Vietnamese market.
- Verify in the market: Engage directly with relevant parties to validate information, assess the quality of available options and test important assumptions.
- Recommend and advance the next step: Compare the available options, determine whether to proceed, adjust or stop, and establish the next steps where the business decides to move forward.
Senior advisors participate directly in the key aspects of each assignment. Depending on the scope, EPS may also bring in analytical, project management, legal, financial, commercial or sector expertise where required.
Engagement Formats
Assessment and Planning
A defined assignment to clarify objectives, assess initial assumptions, identify the options that merit further consideration and recommend the next course of action.
Defined Advisory Assignment
EPS undertakes a specific scope of work such as screening opportunities, businesses, locations or partners; assessing an investment option; verifying information; arranging a working visit; supporting discussions and negotiations; or coordinating initial implementation steps.
Deliverables, milestones and responsibilities are agreed before the assignment begins.
Ongoing Local Representation and Coordination
Where longer-term support is required, EPS can act as the business’s ongoing point of coordination in Vietnam under an agreed scope, maintaining relationships with relevant parties, following workstreams and coordinating resources in the market.
Relevant Experience
Investment and Project Execution
Across previous roles in investment, finance, management, legal and advisory work, EPS advisors have participated in more than 50 transactions and projects in Vietnam with a cumulative value exceeding USD 2 billion.
Their experience also includes negotiating a USD 185 million EPC contract and related financing arrangements for a hydropower project in Laos.
Working with International Businesses in Vietnam
EPS advisors previously participated in the Vietnam–Finland Innovation Partnership Programme, working directly with Finnish companies as they assessed opportunities in Vietnam, explored potential businesses and partners, engaged relevant stakeholders and advanced practical implementation steps.
This experience gives EPS a practical understanding of how international businesses assess opportunities, evaluate information, manage risks and coordinate with relevant parties in Vietnam.
EPS therefore assesses opportunities not only from a market perspective, but also in terms of investment logic, commercial viability, the quality of relevant parties and the practical conditions required for implementation.
From Investment to Operations
An investment decision is only the beginning. As a business moves into implementation, expansion or ongoing operations in Vietnam, issues involving organization, finance, processes, technology and management performance may become the next priorities.
EPS can continue to support the business through Management Advisory, strengthening management foundations and addressing issues that emerge as the business develops.
Is Your Business Considering an Investment or Expansion in Vietnam?
Share your objectives, current stage and the issue your business needs to assess or advance. EPS will review the information before discussing an appropriate advisory scope.