The Legal 500

Allens’ ‘highly professional’ practice has consistently advised on some of the most important energy and infrastructure projects in Vietnam, and can leverage a network of lawyers throughout the region. For example, the team assisted on all aspects of the multibillion-dollar Nghi Son 2 refinery project, including construction, government support and financing through local and international investors including Kuwait Petroleum, Idemitsu, Mitsui Chemicals and PetroVietnam. The ‘hugely experienced’ Bill Magennis continues to advise ExxonMobil on its offshore petroleum interests in Vietnam. Hop Dang and Robert Fish are also recommended, with the latter having relocated from Singapore to counterbalance the retirement of project finance expert Thomas Miller.

Frasers Law Company has cultivated a practice with formidable ‘insight and knowledge’ in project development and financing, with expertise spanning power generation, ports, telecoms, and water treatment projects including those handled under BOT terms. The team recently acted for a major financial institution in one of the largest cross-border energy projects under international bid procedures in Vietnam in the construction and concession for a thermo-electric power plant. The team, led by renowned lawyer Mark Fraser, acted for the lender on the deal and assisted with factors such as risk allocation and bankability. Senior associate Pham Ba Linh is also recommended.

Another infrastructure and energy powerhouse, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer recently advised AES on the $1.5bn financing of the 1,200MW Mong Duong 2 power project in Quang Ninh. The project reached a successful financial close in 2011 and was the first foreign-invested power project to be financed on a project basis since 2003. Managing partner Tony Foster, ‘one of Vietnam’s top project finance lawyers’, recently advised a consortium led by Itochu on the $1.3bn Lach Huyen port development in Hai Phong. Milton Lawson is also an expert in infrastructure projects.

Orrick in association with LVN & Associates has ‘one of the most sophisticated and established projects practices in Vietnam’. Lawyers at the firm have ‘longstanding track records of providing sophisticated legal services throughout Asia and a strong and deep knowledge of the local market’. The practice is led by Linh Doan, whose ‘knowledge and experience in this industry is rare in Vietnam; she has a rare insight’. She recently advised Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), the state-owned electricity monopoly, in the negotiation and finalisation of the power purchase agreement for the $2.1bn Mong Duong BOT Power Project. The deal was completed in August 2011.

Vilaf has an impressive pedigree in projects and energy, having advised a Japanese-led consortium in bidding to sponsor the Nghi Son 2 coal-fired thermal power plant project in Vietnam. Tran Anh Duc and managing partner Tran Tuan Phong are highly recommended, and have experience advising the sponsors on the development, financing and operation of the Vinh Tan 3 power plant in Binh Thuan province.

Audier & Partners Vietnam L.L.C. is currently advising a global bank as lender on $300m financing of a bauxite mine in northern Vietnam, and on structuring of the security package and the governmental guarantee. Etienne Laumonier and managing partner Nicolas Audier are recommended.

DFDL recently advised the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade on JAKS Resources Berhad’s $2bn Malaysia-China-Vietnam energy project, as well as on a new $2bn energy project proposed by two Korean sponsors, and the preparation of an international tender for development of a $700m gas-fired power plant. Martin Desautels and Hoang Phong Anh are recommended.

Duane Morris Vietnam LLC has a growing reputation in energy and infrastructure, particularly in green energy matters, an area where the highly respected Oliver Massmann has been a pioneer. The team also advised ExxonMobil Gas Venture Inc on a proposed exploration programme.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is ‘impressive in meeting last-minute requests’. The team advised the IFC on equity investment in Vina Eco Board Co. Ltd – a joint venture between Sumitomo Forestry Co Ltd and a subsidiary – for the construction of a major particleboard factory and a biomass power plant in Long An province. Practice head Samantha Campbell is highly regarded, and projects specialist Ha Dang Quang is also recommended.

Mayer Brown JSM’s projects and energy practice is now headed by Kevin Hawkins, following Dao Nguyen’s departure to join Allen & Overy’s soon-to-open Vietnamese operations. He recently advised on GDF Suez and Mitsui’s consortium bid for a BOT project to deliver a 1,200MW coal-fired thermal power plant at the Nghi Son power complex, and assisted the consortium in its discussions with EVN, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and other relevant Vietnamese authorities.

Vietbid Law Firm has experience advising the government on marquee energy developments such as the Nghi Son 2 and Vung Ang 2 power projects. Nguyen Thanh Ha is recommended.

YKVN’s reputation in project finance saw it recently represented the lenders and export credit agencies from South Korea on the $1.5bn financing of the Mong Duong 2 power plant project. Managing partner Truong Nhat Quang, Vu Dzung, Diep Hoai Nam and Duong Thu Ha are recommended.

Leadco Legal Counsel has experience advising on approvals of BOT coal-fired thermal power plant projects, including the $2bn Hai Duong project and the Duyen Hai 2 project in Tra Ving province. Phan Nguyen Toan and tema head Duong Quang Long are recommended.

Russin & Vecchi, LLC has a strong real estate practice that allows it to handle land use and financing issues relating to major projects. Sesto Vecchi is recommended.