Cooperation on school land and then returned to the dispute
In early 2025, Nhat Anh Company won the auction of the right to lease public assets of Khanh Hoa University to do business in beverage services on an area of 700m2.
After that, Nhat Anh Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Highlands Coffee on leasing this area to open a coffee shop.
However, a conflict arose that caused the two sides to dispute. Highlands Coffee sent a petition to the authorities of Khanh Hoa province, requesting clarification on the management and use of public assets at Khanh Hoa University.
According to the Department of Economic Infrastructure and Urban Areas of Nha Trang Ward, Nhat Anh Company has started construction at the corner of Nguyen Chanh - Tran Phu Street without a license, violating legal regulations.
The company has temporarily suspended construction and is waiting for instructions from the Provincial People's Committee.
Civil dispute, instructions to court
The Department of Finance of Khanh Hoa province has also reported to the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province (June 2025) regarding the reflection of the Highlands Coffee brand owner.
Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Finance determined that the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (January 22, 2025) and Highlands Coffee deposited 150 million VND.
However, Nhat Anh Company has canceled the memorandum of understanding, refunded the deposit, and cited Highlands Coffee's violation of the agreement and its information confidentiality obligations.
Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Finance assessed that there is no basis for handling the violation against Nhat Anh Company because Khanh Hoa University leased public assets that had been approved by Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee for the project to use public assets. Therefore, the conflict between the two parties is a civil dispute, not under the authority of a State agency to resolve; if not agreed upon by the two parties, the enterprise can file a lawsuit in court.
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Van - representative of Nhat Anh Company - affirmed that he only signed a memorandum of understanding and had never signed an official contract with Highlands Coffee.
Mr. Van said that the memorandum of understanding has expired, and the company no longer wants to cooperate with Highlands Coffee.
