The Legal 500

Allens Arthur Robinson has one of Vietnam’s foremost construction practices, complemented by its wider real estate practice. It was busy during 2010 and 2011 advising manufacturers on building factories. Ongoing real estate projects include mandates in Ho Chi Minh City: advising Refico on ownership structuring and development of Project Nexus, a resort complex in District 1, and advising Azure City Co Ltd on the Watergardens Project, a 43,000sq m residential development in District 9. Corporate work included selling property or interests in real estate projects. Practice head Nigel Russell provides ‘pragmatic, quality advice’, supported by a team including senior associates Hoai Tran and the ‘impressive’ Andrew Hilton. Thomas Miller (financing) and Bill Magennis (projects and development) arealso recommended.

Baker & McKenzie’s core expertise lies in large resort and hotel projects. In December 2010, it closed the second tranche of financing for Asian Coast Development’s $4.2bn MGM Grand Ho Tram resort; it is advising on all aspects of the development. The team continues to advise Limitless on the Ha Long Star resort project, and is advising several clients on potential acquisitions. Practice head Frederick Burke is pragmatic and well respected.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advises major foreign clients on large development projects or investments therein; represents key client Prudential on its land and property investments; and recently advised Smart Shirts on acquiring land to build a factory in My Trung Industrial Zone. Managing partner Tony Foster and senior associate Milton Lawson are ‘knowledgeable, ethical and responsive’, and are ably supported by projects and real estate expert Nguyen Thi Lang.

Mayer Brown JSM’s eight-lawyer real estate team has ‘solid industry knowledge, in particular for real estate; fees are high but worth spending on good advice’; ‘few firms in the market can match it for scope and depth of service, quality and value for money’. Its rare breadth spans expertise in investments and other transactions, financing, licensing and regulatory matters, developments and commercial contract advice. It represents various domestic and international clients on medium and high-end transactions and development projects for hotels and resorts, residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. It recently advised on a strategic investment into Nam Long Investment Corporation, a privately owned Vietnamese real estate developer. David Lim is ‘highly professional, knowledgeable and service oriented’, and, on the corporate and projects side of the practice, Dao Nguyen is uniformly well respected, and ‘can do no wrong – head and shoulders above her peers in the market’.

Vilaf – Hong Duc advised VinaCapital on divesting its shareholding in the Hilton Hotel Hanoi as well as on acquiring and structuring several luxury hotel projects. It acted for Woori Bank on financing three landmark buildings in Hanoi; advised Vincom on a bond issue; and is representing SSG in its joint venture to develop the Saigon Pearl mixed-use project in Ho Chi Minh City. Pham Si Hai Quynh, Nguyen Truc Hien and Dang Duong Anh are the main partners, supported by Tran Anh Duc and Tran Tuan Phong.

Audier & Partners Vietnam L.L.C.’s niche lies in advising companies on development projects and supporting leisure industry clients. It continues to assist Accor with establishing a hotel network, advising on everything from construction to hotel management. Nicolas Audier, Bernadette Fahy, Etienne Laumonier and Nicolas Picard are recommended.

BD Lawyers provides competitive advice to local and foreign companies on construction projects and real estate investments. It is advising Keangnam Enterprises on construction of Hanoi’s Golden Palace project, comprising over 16,000sq m of residential and commercial space. Nguyen Trung Kien heads the seven-lawyer practice, and Tran Manh Ha is ‘knowledgeable and flexible’ for financing work.

Bizlink Lawyers & Consultants is one of Hanoi’s leading real estate practices, advising on development projects, commercial contracts and leasing agreements. It advised Sudico on a build-transfer contract with a contractor; and Ciputra as landlord on a shopping mall lease agreement. Managing partner Do Trong Hai and Nguyen Thanh Cong are ‘very helpful’.

DFDL Mekong represents investors in asset transactions or leasing, and is providing comprehensive advice to a European retailer on its $2bn rollout of 25 stores across Vietnam. It also acts for investors, contractors, architects and banks on large developments such as a leisure resort on the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Chau Ta heads the department, with Thierry Gougy and Hoang Phong Anh also involved.

Frasers provides ‘extremely good service, fast responses and value for money’, and has ‘deep market experience and invaluable insights to the market’. It advises major developers and investors on investments into projects or properties, and on project development, especially in the retail and leisure sectors. It also frequently advises on leasing agreements and disputes. Managing partner Mark Fraser and senior lawyer Justin Gisz provide ‘good, commercially practical advice, which is vital in a market like Vietnam’.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s core strengths are corporate, regulatory and construction advice to clients in the industrial sector, although its capabilities also extend into transactional advice in the office and retail sectors, as well as bank lending. Vietnam group head Samantha Campbell and senior associate Huynh Tuong Long are recommended. The practice was substantially enhanced when senior associate Ha Dang Quang, a real estate and projects specialist, joined from Russin & Vecchi, LLC in November 2010.

‘Professional, fast, accurate, and value for money’, Phuoc & Partners is ‘quicker than the larger foreign law firms’. This is a core practice for the firm, which represents developers, construction contractors and investors. It advised on an investment deal between a Malaysian investor and local developers for a project in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City. Key clients include Lotte Group, Sacomreal and VinaCapital. Clients are ‘very happy with the high standard of advice and service’ from Nguyen Gia Huy Chuong. Tran Thanh Tung made partner in January 2011.

Russin & Vecchi, LLC advises on land clearance and regulations as well as sale, purchase, management or leasing documentation relating to properties and residential or leisure development projects. Clients include Hyatt, TD Corporation and VinaCapital. Nguyen Huu Minh Nhut and Mai Thi Minh Hangare recommended.

‘Very helpful and with reasonable fees’, Tilleke & Gibbins recently provided licensing advice and due diligence for a $4bn development, and advised another client on hotel management agreements. Practice head Michael Lee and newly promoted partner Thomas Treutler are recommended. Senior associate Vinh Quoc Nguyen joined from Russin & Vecchi, LLC.

Regarded as ‘one of the best’, the primary strength of VB Law (which recently changed its name from DC Law) lies in advising developers and contractors on real estate projects. It is advising on a $300m mixed-use project in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2, and recently represented a 100% foreign-owned company to reorganise a large development project into three separate projects, the first time Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities have agreed to such a move. Clients include Marubeni Corporation, Luks Land Group, SP Setia, Sacomreal, SunWah Properties, Vina Properties, and Vietnam Land SSG Co Ltd. Ngo Duy Minhis recommended.

Bross & Partners advises on sizeable construction projects in Hanoi and Danang, including acting for Pacific Thang Long Co Ltd on the $70m Giang Vo Complex (Hyatt Regency Hanoi), and for Alphanam on the $30m Foodinco Center Building in Danang. Tran Anh Hung heads the practice.

Duane Morris Vietnam LLC advises developers and investors, and recently has been advising influential individuals in the real estate sector. Oliver Massmann is recommended.

InvestConsult Legal Services advises on contracts, land use and other regulatory matters for projects, as well as investments and property sale or purchase.

Hanoi-based Leadco Legal Counsel advises local and foreign clients on land use and leasing contracts, regulations and investments in the city. Managing partner Phan Nguyen Toan is ‘knowledgeable, professional and experienced’; Nguyen Bao Huy is also a key part of the team.

Pinsent Masons’ Hong Kong team represents major Japanese construction companies on projects across Vietnam, and advised Prudential Vietnam Fund Management on a real estate project in Ho Chi Minh City. Vincent Connor heads the team.

VCI Legal advises on construction, development and financing. It has been advising M&C Corporation on a multibillion-dollar complex in Ho Chi Minh City. Other clients include BlueScope Steel and New World Hotel Saigon. Phung Anh Tuan is recommended.

Vision & Associates provides commercial contract and corporate structuring advice on construction and project development. It is advising Sudico on various projects, including the Tien Xuan new urban area in Hanoi. Other clients include Vinaconex and Vinaenco. Le Quynh Anh is recommended.

YKVN’s niche lies in advising institutional lenders on real estate financing and capital markets matters, including proposed convertible bond issuances on the SGX. It also provides real estate support for clients including Metro Cash & Carry. Vu Dzung and Duong Thu Ha are recommended.