The Legal 500

Allens’ ‘unflappable team’ advises Holcim on the drafting, tendering and negotiation of all main construction and related contracts with foreign and domestic suppliers and contractors. The firm’s expert projects and energy practice means that it handles construction in relation to many major power and infrastructure projects, such as the Nghi Son Refinery, and the Vung Ang II BOT power project. The highly rated Bill Magennis heads the team. The versatile Hop Dang has significant experience in construction, such as advising on the Phu My 3 BOT power project, and the $1.4bn Nam Con Son gas pipeline project. The team recently advised Azure City Co Ltd on a joint venture between international and local investors in relation to a $16m villa development, and advised Keppel Land (Singapore) on the $30m Saigon Riviera residential development in An Phu.

Baker & McKenzie continues to be a go-to firm for major hotel and service-sector developments. The team is lead counsel for Asian Coast Development Ltd for the $4bn Ho Tram Project Company, which is licensed to implement Vietnam’s first large-scale integrated resort in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, including a casino, several five-star hotels, a golf course, an aquarium and other entertainment facilities. The team is also advising several hotel chains relating to their possible entry into Vietnam. Fred Burke is influential and widely admired.

Frasers Law Company earned several significant real estate and construction mandates in a difficult market. These included recently advising one of the world’s largest hospitality companies on a management agreement between the client and a state-owned enterprise operating in the tourism sector on the management services for a new hotel in Hanoi. The team performed due diligence on land and IP, and provided construction and tax advice. Renowned practitioner Mark Fraser heads the practice with support from highly recommended new partner Justin Gisz.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer ‘shows significant flexibility’ on some of the largest and most complicated real estate projects in Vietnam, and is ‘a good long-term partner to clients’. The team recently advised Genting Berhad on its joint venture project with VinaCapital to develop a $4bn real estate complex in Quan Nam province, and advised Prudential on property investments and sales totalling over $1bn. Practice head Tony Foster, who is head of the infrastructure group of the Vietnam Business Forum, and Milton Lawson are widely respected.

Vilaf has maintained its impressive portfolio of real estate work, acting for VinaCapital on the acquisition of several five-star hotels and numerous real estate projects in Vietnam, as well as advising the World Bank on the $500m financing for the Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower. It also acted on the $288m financing of the Habico Tower and the $50m financing for the Hanoi Plaza Hotel. Dang Duong Anh, Nguyen Truc Hien and Pham Si Hai Quynh are recommended.

Audier & Partners Vietnam L.L.C. is advising Accor on the development of a network of hotels throughout Vietnam under various global brands. The team advises on related matters such as related corporate, construction and land issues, investment structures, and hotel management agreements. Nicolas Audier, Etienne Laumonier, Nicolas Picard and Bernadette Fahy are recommended.

BD Lawyers has been involved in several impressive real estate and construction projects, and is advising Vinaconex 2 as investor into a 20ha new urban construction in Hanoi, advising on capital mobilisation and transactions. Real estate expert Nguyen Trung Kien is recommended.

Bizlink Lawyers & Consultants has been advising on a joint venture to develop new residential apartments in Ho Chi Minh City. Do Trong Hai and Nguyen Thanh Cong are recommended.

Brendel & Associates has a broad-based real estate practice with particular expertise in the sale and acquisition of real estate portfolios. Christian Brendel is the key contact.

DFDL advised several subsidiaries of JSM Indochina Ltd on contract negotiations and due diligence pertaining to the raising of $220m to invest in future land developments in Cambodia and Vietnam. Department head Chau Ta is recommended.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is advising the IFC on its investment in Vina Eco Board Co Ltd for the construction of a major particleboard factory and a biomass power generation plant in Long An Province. The firm has a strong track record in industrial real estate. Managing partner Samantha Campbell leads the team with support from highly recommended senior associates Huynh Tuon Long and Ha Dang Quang.

Mayer Brown JSM advises clients such as Hong Kong Land, Dairy Farm Group, Capital Partners Ltd, Prudential, and GS Engineering and Construction. However, in early 2012, the team lost the key figures of managing partner Dao Nguyen to Allen & Overy and real estate specialist David Lim to ZICOlaw in Ho Chi Minh City.

Phuoc & Partners advises owners, developers and contractors on a range of matters, from planning through implementation, in relation to residential, commercial and industrial projects. Gia Huy Chuong is recommended.

Russin & Vecchi, LLC advises on land clearance, sales, purchases, and management agreements, and has particular expertise in residential and leisure developments. Nguyen Huu Minh Nhut and Mai Thi Minh Hang are recommended.

Tilleke & Gibbins’ real estate and construction team is ‘efficient’ and shows ‘high professionalism’ in its advice to clients such as Marriott, VinaCapital, Kumho Engineering and Construction, Da Cin, and Prudential. Recently promoted partner Michael Lee heads the department and has been providing ongoing advice to Taisei, one of Japan’s largest engineering and construction companies, on a $170m mixed-use commercial real estate development in Hanoi. Thomas Treutler and senior associate Vinh Quoc Nguyen are also recommended.

VB Law recently advised on a $300m mixed-use development in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2. Clients include Marubeni Corporation, Luks Land Group, SP Setia, Sacomreal and Vina Properties. Ngo Duy Minh is recommended.

Bross & Partners’ ‘standout qualities include prompt and accurate responses and the consistency in quality of advice’, as well as its ‘integrity and productivity’. The team advised an investor on contract negotiations with a contractor regarding an industrial park and residential zone. Tran Anh Hung heads the department.

Duane Morris Vietnam LLC advises developers, investors and individuals broadly across the real estate sector. Oliver Massmann leads the practice.

InvestConsult Legal Services advises on regulatory matters pertaining to major projects, as well as on sale or purchase agreements, investments and land use, among other issues.

Hanoi-based Leadco Legal Counsel advises on foreign and domestic clients on land use issues, leases and investments. Duong Quang Long is recommended.

Vision & Associates advised Sudico on the design contracts for the construction of the new Tien Xuan urban area in Hanoi. Le Quynh Anh is recommended.

YKVN is advising a major Vietnamese real estate company on a financing and leasing arrangement with a casino and French supermarket group regarding one of the largest commercial complexes in Ho Chi Minh City.