The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

‘Particularly good at listening to the client and keen to consider all options’, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s revitalised group recruited senior associate Pham Bach Duong from Standard Chartered in 2010. Vietnam head Samantha Campbell, who joined in 2009, ‘displays a thorough understanding of what the client is trying to achieve while delivering excellent on-point advice’. Clients say, ‘the service is excellent – the team is extremely responsive and has detailed knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework’. Recent instructions include advising institutions on loans to local banks or companies; advice regarding commercial mortgage loans, fund formation and derivatives; and advising the IFC on its Tier 2 subordinated loan and equity investment into Vietinbank. Other clients include BNP Paribas, Citibank and Société Générale.

Within Capital markets, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a third tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. advises various banks – including the IFC, BNP Paribas, Citibank and Société Générale – on capital markets regulations. The group fields several capital markets experts including Vietnam managing partner Samantha Campbell and senior associates Huynh Tuong Long and Pham Bach Duong, the latter having joined from Standard Chartered in November 2010.

Within Corporate and M&A, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is ‘on top of the local rules and regulations, and the quality of service and professionalism is very good’. It advises manufacturers, food producers, banks and others on commercial operations, transactions, and corporate structuring. Clients include Bureau Veritas, Kobe Steel, Lafarge and Total. Huynh Tuong Long is recommended along with Samantha Campbell, who is ‘open minded, competent and practical, and whose advice is just what is needed to form and stabilise entrepreneurial decisions’. Antoine Toussaint and Tran Duc Son are also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a first tier firm,

‘On top of the local rules and regulations, and with competent ex-pat and local lawyers’, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a good option for major companies with Vietnamese disputes to resolve. It advised a commodities trader in a failure-to-deliver dispute, and represented several sizeable clients in debt recovery actions in the Vietnamese courts or VIAC. Samantha Campbell and Huynh Tuong Long are the key contacts.

Within Legal market overview,

Vilaf – Hong Duc and YKVN remain the standout full-service Vietnamese firms. Allens Arthur Robinson, Baker & McKenzie, Frasers and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer are among the best full-service international firms, as are Mayer Brown JSM and Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I., both of which are performing superbly across numerous practice areas. The rankings include Singapore or Hong Kong practices with significant track records relating to Vietnam.

Within Projects and energy, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a second tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. advises international developers, operators and managers on water treatment and waste-to-energy plants. It is also advising on construction of a factory. Samantha Campbell leads the practice. Projects specialist Ha Dang Quang joined from Russin & Vecchi, LLC in November 2010.

Within Real estate and construction, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a second tier firm,

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.

Within Tax, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. is a second tier firm,

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s Vietnam office head Samantha Campbell and senior associate Huynh Tuong Long have significant tax experience.