Institute for Social Development Studies, Hanoi, Vietnam
Deputy Director (research)

Suite 1804, Penthouse Floor, The Garden building, Me Tri road, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Civil Law Department, School of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
Lecturer in Law
E1 Building, 144 Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: +84(0)982706085
Email: trankien@vnu.edu.vn or trankien@isds.org.vn
Web: www.isds.org.vn and www.law.vnu.edu.vn

An alumnus of the University of Glasgow, Kien earned both his PhD and Masters degrees at the University of Glasgow in 2015 and 2010 respectively with full scholarships. Prior to his postgraduate studies overseas, he had completed his first law degree at Vietnam National University, Hanoi (2007) with high distinction.

He is now a lecturer in civil law at the Civil Law Department, School of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. He also holds the position of Deputy Director (research) at the Institute for Social Development Studies, Hanoi, Vietnam, a leading NGO, independent research institute in Vietnam.

At the School of Law, his teaching is primarily focused on private law including but not limited to Roman law, Civil law, and Intellectual property law at both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. However, Kien’s research is more diverse and interdisciplinary. His research has been published on a number of domestic as well as international journals and books. At this moment, his research interests lie in the reform and development of law of Vietnam in the context of transition, post-socialist. He is also interested in understanding how other fields of social sciences such as history, art, economics can inform or influence our perception about law.

Kien has led a number of national and international research projects into a broad range of legal issues including but not limited to constitutional law, human rights, immigration law, contract and property, copyright and freedom of expression; social media and cyber security law. His research has been funded and sponsored by various funding bodies such as Vietnam National University, Hanoi; NAFOSTED; International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (Washington D.C, US). Kien is also an academic convener of the largest, annual international conference on Vietnamese studies: Engaging with Vietnam Conference.

Kien’s expertise has been sought and requested by numerous national bodies. He also provides legal advice to foreign embassies, international organizations, and private companies at their request.

He welcomes LLM and PhD students’ projects linked to his research interests and publications.