The Legal 500

Allens’ ‘highly responsive and professional’ team has experience in cross-border disputes, including arbitration and ADR. Hop Dang is ‘tireless’, ‘totally committed and bridges Vietnamese and Western cultures’. He has acted in several commercial arbitrations and is a fellow of arbitration institutions in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Vietnam. The highly experienced Bill Magennis is ‘committed and creative’.

Audier & Partners Vietnam L.L.C. assists clients with litigation strategies and cross-border disputes. Nicolas Audier and the ‘excellent’ Bernadette Fahy are leading a team advising a consortium of lenders following the debt default of Vinashin, the state-owned shipbuilding conglomerate. This case is important politically as well as for the substantial monetary value involved.

Baker & McKenzie’s practice encompasses all aspects of cross-border litigation, arbitration and mediation. The team has significant expertise in antitrust law, and recently assisted a client in defending against an abuse of dominance complaint filed with the Vietnamese Competition Administration Department by six cinema operators in Vietnam. Managing partner Fred Burke has substantial experience.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has construction, financial and employment disputes experience. Managing partner Tony Foster is a qualified arbitrator, and Milton Lawson and An Hoang Ha are also highly regarded practitioners.

‘One of the best law firms in town’, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has represented clients in arbitration, litigation and mediation. Samantha Campbell and Huynh Tuong Long are recommended.

VB Law recently advised members of the Vietnam Leather & Footwear Association on the latest footwear antidumping case to go before the European Commission. As well as antidumping and competition litigation expertise, the team is also adept at finance, securities and insurance litigation. Ngo Duy Minh is the key contact.

Vilaf has a presence in the maritime, finance and construction markets assisting on a dispute resolution and arbitration. The team recently advised Mitsubishi Corporation in a potential dispute against Bach Dang Shipyard (a subsidiary of Vinashin) in relation to the delivery and payment of a deck crane. Chairman Ngo Thanh Tung in Ho Chi Minh City and Nguyen Duy Linh in Hanoi are recommended.

Vision & Associates has seen significant work in debt recovery and construction disputes and has a traditionally strong practice in labour disputes. Le Tuan Anh is a key contact.

YKVN focuses on litigation and arbitration in foreign investments and international commercial disputes. The key contact for litigation is Luu Tien Dzung, a former Secretary to the Chief of Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam.

Bizconsult Law Firm has a strong reputation in commercial, contractual and employment litigation, including reputable experience in civil litigation, including the enforcement of the judgements of courts and arbitrators. Le Hong Phong and Nguyen Dang Viet are recommended.

Frasers Law Company recently advised a client on the removal in contentious circumstances of its general directors and legal representative, including separation terms, potential dismissal, and the client’s rights to seek compensation. Commercial expert Justin Gisz, who recently made partner, leads the practice. Senior associate Phung Thi Thanh Thao is also recommended.

The team at LCT Lawyers has been bolstered by the addition of Nguyen Thi Kim Vinh, formerly a senior judge for the People’s Supreme Court, who now heads the department along with Chau Huy Quang. The practice represents clients such as Kyoei Steel Corporation, Thi Vai International Port Co, Zuellig Pharma Vietnam, PTSC Production Services and PEB Steel Buildings Co.

Phuoc & Partners recently advised AG Processing in various sales contract disputes with Sunfeeds; this was subsequently referred to arbitration where Sunfeed was ordered to pay over $5m in damages to AG Processing. Department co-heads Dinh Quang Thuan and Pham Quoc Tuan are recommended.

Thang & Associates handles many civil and commercial litigation as well as arbitration. Tran Nhat Vinh is recommended.

BD Lawyers has a well-regarded practice, especially for debt recovery and contract cases.

Bizlink Lawyers & Consultants’ Do Trong Hai has extensive experience in commercial contract disputes, including arbitration.

Clients praise the ‘consistency in the quality of advice’ at Bross & Partners, which successfully advised Petrolimex Asphalt Company Limited in a $1m debt recovery claim against Cienco8 (a company directly under the Vietnam Ministry of Construction) relating to an asphalt sales contract. Hoang Van Dzung is recommended.

Duane Morris Vietnam LLC specialises in debt recovery and contract disputes. Oliver Massmann, a fluent Vietnamese speaker, is highly recommended.

Indochina Legal Law Firm Limited advises clients on a range of commercial cases. Practice head Nguyen Quoc Tuan and accredited arbitrator Luc Métivier are recommended.

LuatViet Legal Consultants handles the full range of corporate, commercial investment, construction and employment disputes before courts and arbitration panels. Nguyen Thi Minh Huyen is recommended.

In keeping with their excellent IP practice, Tilleke & Gibbins has a specialised practice focusing on IP dispute resolution, reflecting the firm’s wider strength in IP, as well as a highly respected employment disputes practice.