DFDL Legal & Tax > Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam > Firm Profile

DFDL Legal & Tax > The Legal 500 Rankings

Vietnam > Tax Tier 1

DFDL Legal & Tax has a well-established practice with experienced lawyers offering clients a range of tax services across the region, from day-to-day operations and strategic planning to assisting on tax-related M&A and compliance matters. It is also active in international tax matters and customs advisory work across a broad scope of sectors. Jack Sheehan heads the regional team with expertise in structuring inbound and outbound investments in Asia, while tax director Lan Hua advises both local and international clients on tax and financial regulations. Senior tax manager Phan Thi Lieu is another active member of the group with experience in general tax advice and compliance, cross-border tax planning, in addition to tax on financial services and customs procedures.

Vietnam > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

DFDL Legal & Tax acts for clients across the telecoms, finance services, real estate, manufacturing, energy, mining, infrastructure and retail industries on public and private M&A transactions. The team’s workload also includes joint ventures, investments, and private equity transactions. Due to its strong presences across Southeast Asia, including in Vietnam, its client roster includes Chinese, Japanese and Indian investors. Managing director Jérôme Buzenet chairs the practice and advises on M&A, private equity and investment formation and restructuring mandates, while deputy managing director Hanh Tran and head of the firm’s Ho Chi Minh City office is also a key contact, as is head of the Hanoi office Thang Huynh.

Vietnam > Projects and energy Tier 2

DFDL Legal & Tax’s energy, mining and infrastructure group advises foreign and local investors operating in Vietnam across a broad range of mandates. The team has been increasingly active in offshore wind and LNG-to-power projects, in addition to acquisitions, project development and project financing work. Phong Anh Hoang and senior adviser Dave Seibert jointly chair the group; Hoang has worked on several BOT power plant projects for both the sponsor and the Vietnamese government, and Seibert advises clients on a wide variety of matters, concerning gas, solar, hydropower, and national infrastructure. Kevin Hawkins is another key member of the team.

Vietnam > Real estate and construction Tier 3

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.

Vietnam > Banking and finance Tier 4

DFDL Legal & Tax acts for both lenders and borrowers, including domestic banks, international financial institutions, governments and state-owned entities. Its strong capabilities cover a broad range of services, including institutional lending, acquisition and leveraged finance, project finance, and regulatory compliance advice. Managing director Jérôme Buzenet leads the group, which also includes senior partner Martin Desautels, who has expertise in the energy sector, and Phong Anh Hoang, who has advised on power plant projects on both the government and sponsor side.