The Legal 500

Allens is ‘highly recommended in the region’, and handles a high volume of corporate work for financial services companies, as well as experience in the energy, manufacturing and retail sectors. Managing partner Bill Magennis, who is ‘hugely experienced’ and ‘totally committed and creative’, recently advised Germany’s third-largest insurance provider, Talanx Group, on its strategic partnership with Hanoi Stock Exchange listed insurer PVI Holdings. Financial expert Thomas Miller retired in 2012, but the group counterbalanced this loss by bringing in Robert Fish, a leading corporate lawyer, from the firm’s Singapore office. Fish and Magennis have been advising Qantas Airways on its partnership with Vietnam Airlines to invest in low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific.

Baker & McKenzie assists multinational companies with all aspects of cross-border and local transactions, including M&A, restructuring, spin-offs, joint ventures, and other strategic alliances. The team recently advised Kirin Holdings, a major Japanese beverage company, on its acquisition of an 80% stake in Interfood Shareholding Co, a large Vietnamese soft drinks producer with a huge distribution network. This was the first transaction in Vietnam in which ultimate majority control of a listed company has been transferred to a foreign entity and will have implications for other Vietnamese public companies seeking offshore investment. The practice is led by managing partner Fred Burke, a widely respected corporate expert, and Yee Chung Seck.

Duane Morris Vietnam LLC handles M&A and associated due diligence, as well as general corporate and commercial support, and regulatory compliance. The experienced Giles Cooper assisted a Danish fund with several strategic acquisitions in a variety of sectors including seafood processing, education, furniture and IT. Leading individual Oliver Massmann recently worked alongside Cooper to advise Diana Vietnam on the $125m sale of 95% of its shares to Japan’s Unicharm Corporation. Massmann also acted as lead counsel for state-owned Hanel Co Ltd on its buyout of a hotel joint venture, when it paid $100m for Daewoo Engineering & Construction’s 70% stake in Hanoi’s Daewoo Hotel.

Frasers Law Company is ‘a top-of-the-league firm’, where the ‘strength and depth of the team’s ability is second to none’. It closed a significant number of M&A deals in 2011 and early 2012, and assisted a major foreign property company in its acquisition of the entire share capital and assets of an offshore SPV, which owns a grade-A office building. The team conducted due diligence on the acquisition, and acted as lead counsel on all aspects of the deal up to and including completion. Practice head Mark Fraser is one of the most experienced and respected lawyers in Vietnam, and has assembled an impressive team of lawyers under him, including special counsel Chris Robinson and recently promoted partner Justin Gisz.

Known for its sophistication and experience in M&A, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s ‘very sophisticated’ team gives ‘excellent advice’ to clients on M&A and commercial matters. Vastly experienced managing partner Tony Foster recently led advice to Tate & Lyle regarding the $100m sale of its interests in Vietnamese sugar operations to TH Milk. Milton Lawson, head of the Ho Chi Minh City office, and Bui Thanh Tien are both recommended for their ‘deal experience and integrity’.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s robust corporate offering provides ‘accurate advice’ that is ‘very appropriate to the situation’. Managing partner Samantha Campbell recently led advice to the IFC regarding an equity investment into the construction of a particleboard factory. The department shows ‘great team spirit’, and Antoine Toussaint is highlighted for ‘explaining the risks and opportunities before making proposals’.

The corporate team at Mayer Brown JSM has ‘a broad skill set and experience in the market and a good understanding of the evolution of laws in Vietnam’. The departure of managing partner Dao Nguyen was a blow, but highly regarded new partner Kevin Hawkins and senior associate Toby Rees both have experience in a wide range of corporate matters including restructuring, trade issues, and inward investment matters including the establishment of joint ventures. The team recently advised E-Mart, a discount retail chain owned by Shinsegae, South Korea’s largest retailer, on its $80m investment to expand its operations in Vietnam through a joint venture with a local company.

Commercial, corporate and M&A work constitutes Vilaf’s largest practice, and its instructions encompass due diligence, transactions and agreements, and regulatory advice. Managing partners Ha Vo Duyen and Tran Tuan Phong, a respected corporate law expert, recently advised Unicharm Corporation on its acquisition of a 95% stake in the Vietnamese company Diana JS. The team also advised BNP Paribas and SMBC on equity investments in two major Vietnamese banks, and assisted KKR with its $159m purchase of 10% of the shares in Masan Consumer, which was one of Vietnam’s largest private equity deals in 2011. Tran Anh Duc is one of Vietnam’s leading corporate lawyers.

YKVN has deep expertise in foreign investment into the market, and has clients such as Procter & Gamble, IBM, Motorola, Boeing, Samsung and Remy. Hanoi office head Diep Hoai Nam is a recognised corporate expert who recently advised an international oil company on its acquisition of a controlling stake in Long Son Petrochemical Company, management company of one of Vietnam’s largest petrochemicals projects, with total investment capital valued at around $3.7bn. Vu Dzung has an impressive track record and is recommended, as is managing partner Truong Nhat Quang, who is well known as one of Vietnam’s top corporate lawyers. The firm can also call on the expertise of K Minh Dang in Singapore.

Audier & Partners Vietnam L.L.C. advises corporations and investors on M&A, restructuring and mergers, as well as joint ventures and investments. It is currently advising a leading global player in the industrial packaging sector on the acquisition of a Vietnamese entity as part of an acquisition programme, and advised the same client on various restructuring matters. The ‘flexible and efficient’ Hadrien Wolff heads the team, ‘knows the industry and is always available’. Founding partner Nicolas Audier, one of Vietnam’s leading lawyers, and Nicolas Picard come highly recommended.

Clients appreciate Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘insight into Vietnamese bureaucracy, which counts for a lot when doing deals’. Key contacts are of counsel Nasir PKM Abdul, who recently advised Aviva on establishing a life insurance joint venture with Vietinbank, and senior associate Christian Schaefer, a well-respected and experienced corporate lawyer who recently returned to Vietnam after a period in Germany.

LuatViet Legal Consultants has expertise in undertaking M&A, conducting due diligence and risk assessment, and providing regulatory advice. It also recently advised on a private placement of shares in Coteccom, a leading Vietnamese construction group. Tran Phuong Bac is the key contact.

Russin & Vecchi, LLC’s well-regarded group recently advised Maybank on its acquisition of a majority stake in Kim Eng Holdings. Practice head Sesto Vecchi is a highly regarded corporate expert. Nguyen Huu Minh Nhut and Mai Thi Minh Hang are also recommended.

Tilleke & Gibbins is ‘reliable and stable in terms of work and efficiency’, and ‘provides value-added service in its analysis of new legislation and how it may impact clients’. The team acts for foreign clients acquiring operations in Asia and domestic clients wishing to invest internationally. It has particular expertise in franchising work, and handled this type of work for clients such as Gap Inc, Hertz Europe, Subway, Hamley’s, Arcadia and Circle K Convenience Stores. Department head Michael Lee is recommended.

Bizconsult Law Firm’s broad practice is familiar with all aspects of M&A, as well as commercial contracts, corporate restructuring, and equity investments including FDI. Managing partner Nguyen Anh Tuan is recommended.

Bizlink Lawyers & Consultants has a reliable corporate practice under the leadership of chairman and managing partner Do Trong Hai, who is a well-respected practitioner.

DFDL recently advised PT Gama Group on its $205m purchase of a majority stake in one of Vietnam’s largest cement producers. Jérôme Buzenet, the new managing partner for Vietnam, and Hoang Phong Anh are both recommended.

Indochine Counsel recently advised Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations Inc on the acquisition of Sumiden Device Innovations Vietnam, Managing partner Dang The Duc is recommended.

LCT Lawyers handles M&A and corporate regulatory matters. The team – which is led by Hoang Nguyen Ha Quyen, Vu Thi Que and Nguyen Anh Tuan – advised Sojitz Corporation on obtaining an investment certificate for the company’s affiliate in Vietnam.

Leadco Legal Counsel attracts significant work from Japanese companies, and assisted Toyota Tsusho Corporation to establish a retail joint venture for Lexus vehicles and spare parts. Team head Tran Si Vy is recommended, as is the highly rated Alexandre Legendre.

Phuoc & Partners’ ‘strong lawyers’ advise on corporate real estate, investments and M&A. The firm is particularly expert in labour and employment law. Nguyen Huu Phuoc is the key contact.

VB Law advises public and private sector companies on corporate governance, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Nguyen Ngoc Bich is highly recommended and has a strong reputation locally, but also represents various foreign clients.

VCI Legal provides general corporate and commercial advice, as well as due diligence and M&A support. Phung Anh Tuan is recommended.

Vision & Associates’ clients for corporate law advice include Sanyo Asia, Mekong Capital, Honda, and Chevron Lubricants Vietnam. Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac is highly rated, and Luu Tien Ngoc and Le Quynh Anh are also recommended.

BD Lawyers advises banks, real estate companies and manufacturers on general corporate law and M&A. Managing partner Tran Manh Ha is recommended.

Brendel & Associates handles corporate restructuring and M&A, primarily for German-speaking foreign investors in sectors such as banking, retail, manufacturing and renewable energy. Founding partner Christian Brendel is recommended.

DS Avocats advises European investors on transactions in Vietnam. Vanessa Brouillet is the key contact.

Indochina Legal Law Firm Limited’s experienced three-partner team is adept at M&A and specialist corporate advice. Luc Métivier, Nguyen Quoc Tuan and Eric Le Dréau are recommended.

Kelvin Chia Partnership assists clients throughout Asia with investments and M&A, and has particular expertise in the food and beverages sector. Benjamin Yap is recommended.

Thang & Associates’ practice spans public and private sector M&A, as well as equity investments, incorporation, corporate governance and restructuring. Tran Nhat Vinh is recommended.