Allen & Overy LLP utilises its global network to advise domestic and international clients, including developers, financiers, sponsors, and private equity and alternative funds, on real estate project developments, M&A, joint ventures and project finance transactions. It is also strong in handling sustainable and renewable energy-related mandates. Group head Duc Tran is praised as ‘excellent in real estate financing’ and is highly adept at supporting clients with inbound investment. Of recent note, Tran advised on a sustainable exchangeable bond issued by Vinpearl. Senior associate Hai Ha is also a key name and handles the regulatory aspects of real estate transactions.
Real estate and construction in Vietnam
Allen & Overy LLP
Practice head(s):
Duc Tran
Other key lawyers:
Hai Ha
Testimonials
‘Duc Tran’s team is excellent in real estate financing and he has great financing skills and real estate insight.’
‘Duc Tran is excellent and he trains his juniors well.’
‘Duc Tran is very responsive and provides professional advice which is always on point and useful.’
Key clients
KKR
CapitaLand
Sumitomo Corporation
Gaw Capital Partners
Frasers Property
Work highlights
- Advised the joint lead managers on Vinpearl’s Regulation S offering of $425m 3.25% exchangeable sustainable bonds due in 2026.
- Advised Novaland on the $250m investment by Warbug Pincus-led consortium into Novaland.
- Advised the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation on a $37m financing agreement for Fulbright University Vietnam’s new campus in Ho Chi Minh City.
Baker McKenzie
Logistics and industrial real estate investment transactions are a core strength of the team at Baker McKenzie, as well as construction mandates, major developments, M&A deals, and leases. Industry focuses include hotel, resort and tourism, and the team handles a range of mandates in these sectors, among others, from cross-border acquisitions to arrangement of management agreements. Since July 2021, Frederick Burke has been serving as a senior adviser to the Vietnam offices, and Yee Chung Seck has taken on the role of co-head of the team alongside Lan Phuong Nguyen, who is active in advising clients on industrial, commercial and hospitality property mandates. Phuc Thuy Hien Nguyen is strong on leasing and environmental matters.
Practice head(s):
Yee Chung Seck; Lan Phuong Nguyen
Other key lawyers:
Frederick Burke; Phuc Thuy Hien Nguyen
KPMG Law in Vietnam
KPMG Law in Vietnam
merged with ZICO Law in early 2022, and is praised as ‘experienced in handling real estate transactions’. The team has a broad client base, including real estate developers and funds and construction companies. It also attracts clients from China and Taiwan due to the team’s proficiency in Mandarin. Areas of strength for the practice cover private equity investments, joint ventures, real estate-related M&A, construction projects in the industrial and energy sectors, and leasing. Ngoc Thi Thanh Bui is a key contact who has considerable experience in M&A transactions, as does Binh Duy Tran.
Practice head(s):
Richard Stapley-Oh; Ngoc Thi Thanh Bui; Binh Duy Tran; Nguyen Mai Phuong; Ly Hoang Nguyen
Testimonials
‘The team has extensive experience and they give their best efforts to support the client. Since KPMG has also tax and other services, together with other teams, KPMG Law team provides comprehensive advice addressing all aspects of a matter.’
‘The team is very experienced in handling real estate transactions. They provide excellent, commercially-driven solutions and are fully capable of understanding the client’s commercial needs.’
‘Ms. Ngoc Bui and Mr. Binh Tran and his team are very diligent in every work, task, and service they provide. They always provide legal advice with practical solutions.’
Key clients
Van Thinh Phat Group
Vivaland Investment and Development JSC,
company of Van Thinh Phat Group
Phu My Hung Development Corporation
Hongkong Land Ltd
Cushman & Wakefield
Jinko Solar
Sotetsu Holdings Inc.
Archetype Vietnam
UOL Group Limited
Risland
Central Retail
Savills Vietnam
Raito Kogyo
Radisson Hotel Group
Work highlights
- Advising Hongkong Land on a new commercial development project in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Advising Tai Yuen Textile on the transfer of the right to sublease the land and transfer of assets between Tai Yuen and a local counter-party.
- Advising Raito Kogyo on a subscription of convertible bonds and newly-issued shares in Fecon Corporation.
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers
Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers acts for some of Singapore’s major developers, and is active in M&A and project work for both the selling and buying side, as well as advising clients on joint ventures. Additionally, the team has a strong contentious offering, especially in the construction space. Team head Vu Thi Que acts for Asian developers and due to her fluency in Mandarin, Que is able to service clients from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Que is also highly adept at handling tie-ups and acquisitions of Vietnamese real estate companies for Chinese developers. Trinh Minh Duc is another key contact in the practice.
Practice head(s):
Vu Thi Que
Other key lawyers:
Trinh Minh Duc
Key clients
Mapletree
Keppel Land
Boustead
DP Architects
Bizlink Lawyers
Bizlink Lawyers handles a range of real estate transactions and construction projects, supporting clients through M&A transactions and advising on regulatory requirements. Founder and managing partner Do Trong Hai leads the team alongside senior associate Bui Phu Chau, and associate Nguyen Tu Linh is another key figure in the group.
Practice head(s):
Do Trong Hai; Bui Phu Chau
Other key lawyers:
Nguyen Tu Linh
Key clients
Citra West Lake City Development Company Limited
Eurowindow Holding Joint Stock Company
Ecopark Group Joint Stock Company
Westlake View Real Estate Limited Liability Company
Fuji Bac Giang Development JSC
Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade
Gamuda Land Vietnam
Taisei Corporation
International Centre Ltd.
Bai Tho Corporation
Hiep Long Foods Join Stock Company
Work highlights
- Advised Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade on transferring a complex project to other developers.
- Advised T&M Vietnam Investment JSC on the acquisition of a part of Yen So Park Project in the South of Hanoi.
- Advised Citra Westlake City Development Company Limited on transferring a complex sub-project with a total investment value of over $53m to other developers.
Frasers Law Company
At Frasers Law Company
, the team is skilled across a broad range of real estate and construction mandates, covering M&A, complex fund and private equity transactions, and development projects. Managing partner Mark Fraser
and Justin Gisz jointly lead the practice, and senior associate Dinh Thi Hien Ly is another active member of the team since joining in April 2020 from Nishimura & Asahi (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo).
Practice head(s):
Mark Fraser; Justin Gisz
Other key lawyers:
Duong Thi Mai Huong; Nguyen Mai Phuong
Key clients
Daimler AG
Sojitz Corporation
VinaCapital
IWC Group
Qualitas Medical Group SDN BHD
Hyundai Corporation
Hong Phuoc Thien Phu
Work highlights
- Acted for Daimler AG in relation to its extension and amendment of the joint venture agreement with Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation.
- Acting for IWC Singapore in relation to its establishment of a manufacturing factory in Vietnam.
- Acting for VinaCapital in relation to the real estate and construction aspects of its investment in a 3GW LNG-fired power generation project, to be located in Long An province, Vietnam.
MHM Vietnam HCMC Office
MHM Vietnam Hanoi Office has been active in the Vietnam market since 2004, and opened its first office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2018, followed by an office in Hanoi in 2021. Its client roster includes property developers and investors, as well as a broad range of Japanese-based clients. Nguyen Ngoc Phuc leads the real estate and construction team having joined the firm from ZICO Law in February 2022. Takuya Eguchi is another key contact in the group, with a strong practice in M&A and joint ventures, and has considerable experience advising on China-based transactions.
Practice head(s):
Nguyen Ngoc Phuc
Other key lawyers:
Takuya Eguchi; Ha Thi Dung; Hiroki Kishi
Testimonials
‘The firm is well-known in the market. With an international practice, the firm has a proper understanding of the views of the client.’
‘MHM Vietnam has been established in Vietnam for some years now, and it is growing fast. MHM Vietnam has recently had some new Partners and the work standards of MHM Vietnam are outstanding.’
‘The team is very effective, professional, and has good collaboration.’
‘The team members of the firm have very deep legal knowledge.’
‘Nguyen Ngoc Phuc focuses on real estate, construction, and related matters only. This helps him gain profound knowledge and experience in this practice. He is very experienced, responsive, and professional.’
‘Nguyen Ngoc Phuc always strives to meet very tough deadlines and provides clear, practical, and result-oriented advice. He is one of the best real estate lawyers in Vietnam.’
VILAF
VILAF advises developers, financing banks and private equity funds on real estate-related M&A transactions and financings, EPC contracts, and project investment matters. Hien Nguyen in Ho Chi Minh City co-heads the team with Hanoi-based partner Anh Bui; Nguyen has a thriving practice supporting employers and contractors in construction-related contracts. Anh Dang is another key team member, who is skilled in real estate-related financing and corporate mandates.
Key clients
Capitaland
Berhero Pty Limited
Global Wise Investment Pte. Ltd
Credit Suisse Limited
Vingroup
Novaland Group
ALMA
Jones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants Pte Ltd.
Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd.
Cienco4 Group Joint Stock Company
Work highlights
- Advised Credit Suisse on the issuance of Novaland $300m 5.25% international convertible bonds due 2026 in the SGX-ST.
- Advised Vingroup in the issuance of $500m 5% exchangeable bond due 2026 in the SGX-ST.
- Advised Novaland Group in structuring the transaction and the security package, and in negotiating the intercreditor agreement with the existing senior lenders and the new junior lender on the facility agreement with Seatown and the security documents for the transaction.
APFL & Partners Legal Vietnam LLC
APFL & Partners Legal Vietnam LLC has a far-reaching client roster, including developers, construction companies, financiers, property companies, and engineers and architects. It advises through each stage of a project implementation, with demonstrable experience across the office, shopping centre, power and energy infrastructure, hotel and resort sectors. Key contacts in the team include Antoine Logeay, Etienne Laumonier, Nicolas Picard, and Bernadette Fahy.
Other key lawyers:
Antoine Logeay; Etienne Laumonier; Nicolas Picard; Bernadette Fahy
ATS Law Firm
Founder and managing partner Vu Thi Thu Ha heads the group at ATS Law Firm. The team supports its client roster on regulatory procedures, construction mandates and contractual matters. Bui Hong Hanh is another key figure in the team, alongside Vu Thi Cam Trang, who joined the firm in January 2022.
Practice head(s):
Vu Thi Thu Ha
Other key lawyers:
Bui Hong Hanh; Vu Thi Cam Trang
Key clients
Turner Vietnam Company Limited
NT Bay in Scenia Bay Project
Aurecon Vietnam Company Limited
Arup Vietnam Company Limited
K2 Management Vietnam Company Limited
Ecopark Corporation Joint Stock Company
DFDL Legal & Tax
DFDL Legal & Tax’s real estate and construction team advises developers, financiers, and contractors on the development and construction of residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use properties, in addition to handling large infrastructure projects. This includes advising on land acquisitions, construction contracts, joint ventures, leases, sales, and EPC contracts. Hanoi-based Dai Thang Huynh leads the team alongside Paul Volodarsky in Ho Chi Minh City, and managing director Jérôme Buzenet is another name of note regarding real estate-related M&A transactions.
Practice head(s):
Dai Thang Huynh; Paul Volodarsky
Other key lawyers:
Martin Desautels; Jérôme Buzenet; Hanh Tran; Kevin Hawkins
Key clients
REA Group
Savills Vietnam
Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho Ltd.
Work highlights
- Advised Sea Logistics Partners in relation to the acquisition and development of an industrial estate and supporting facilities in northern Vietnam.
- Assisted Radisson Hotel Group on the feasibility of conducting sales of villa residences under the Radisson brand based upon the current land use rights provided by the developer.
- Assisted Intercontinental Hotel Group on legal advice in relation hotel management agreements and residential management agreements for multiple projects in Vietnam, including negotiating management terms with the hotel developer.
LNT & Partners
Jointly led by Binh Tran and Net Le, the team at LNT & Partners conducts legal due diligence surrounding the acquisition of property and land, advises on property tax issues, and handles project developments and construction matters. Tran supports major domestic and foreign real estate developers, and Quyen Hoang is also a name of note in the team.
Practice head(s):
Binh Tran; Net Le
Other key lawyers:
Quyen Hoang
Testimonials
‘The LNT team is excellent. The team is very responsive, professional and has an excellent grasp of technicalities.’
‘Mr. Le Net has extensive knowledge in the real estate and construction industry. He is a good leader with innovative solutions.’
Nishimura & Asahi (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)
Nishimura & Asahi (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo) has a strong focus advising Japanense real estate developers and investors, as well as multinational and Vietnam corporations, on urban development projects and construction matters. Smart city projects are also within the team’s capabilities. Hikaru Oguchi leads the firm’s Vietnam practice from Tokyo, and other key contacts include Vu Le Bang, who specialises in inbound investment, Ha Hoang Loc, Kazuhide Ohya and Akira Hiramatsu.
Practice head(s):
Hikaru Oguchi
Other key lawyers:
Vu Le Bang; Ha Hoang Loc; Kazuhide Ohya; Akira Hiramatsu
Key clients
Samty Co., Ltd.
Hitachi Sustainable Energy Ltd.
Paragon Urban Development Co., Ltd.
Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.
Work highlights
- Advised Paragon Urban Development on its acquisition of a 25% capital contribution in Paragon Dai Phuoc for development of Paragon Dai Phuoc, an urban residential project in Dong Nai province.
- Advised Hankyu Hanshin Properties on its acquisition from Nam Long Investment Corporation of a 34.9% stake in Dong Nai Waterfront City LLC.
Vina Legal
At Vina Legal, the real estate and construction department handles large projects involving shopping malls, offices and residential properties. The team advises clients on construction and EPC contracts, project developments and leasing mandates. Duong Quang Long and Nguyen Bao Huy co-head the team, while Nguyen Thanh Long was promoted to partner in January 2022.
Practice head(s):
Duong Quang Long; Nguyen Bao Huy
Other key lawyers:
Nguyen Thanh Long
Testimonials
‘They are very friendly, enthusiastic and have a high level of legal knowledge.’
Key clients
Colas Rails S.A
VSL
Aon Vina Co., Ltd
Lotte Hotel
Bitexco Group
Vietnam Steel Corporation
Sunshine Group
Hung Thinh Land Group
Thaigroup
VIG Group
BNB Group
Gotec Land JSC
Van Truong Phat Group
Bong Sen JSC
Sa Pa Lao Cai JSC
Nam Phuong Energy JSC
BNP Global JSC
Tan Thanh Long An Group
Nam Land Group
Power Consulting Joint-Stock Coompany
Truong Son Construction Corporation
INVESTCOM JSC
Bao Viet Holdings
VietinBank
Cuu Long Infrastructure Development and Project Management Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Vietnam Steel Corporation on the legal issues in developing a large office building project at Hoang Quoc Viet Street in Hanoi.
- Advised Nexif Energy to employ and develop EPC construction contracts with contractors to build a Song Giang hydro power plant in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
- Advised Colas Rail on dealing with legal issues regarding the implementation of the EPC contract under the construction of a subway line in Hanoi between Nhon and Hanoi Railway Station.