Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Baker & McKenzie’s dispute resolution team covers all aspects of litigation, arbitration and mediation in Vietnam. Given its international connections, it is able to advise on both complex cross border issues as well as settling domestic commercial disputes. The practice has gained a solid reputation for its litigation skills on antitrust, banking and finance, construction and information technology disputes.

Practice leader Ha Thi Thanh Tran focuses on dispute resolution, corporate compliance, corporate fraud investigations and customs compliance. Some of her previous experience includes advising a multinational power and heavy machinery company and executing internal compliance audit activities.

Partner Fred Burke also handles a wide range of corporate disputes and has strong knowledge on regulatory compliance issues.

The Vilaf-Hong Duc practice is regarded as one of the best in dealing with various disputes, whether settling matters privately or in litigation at local courts. The firm has particular expertise on construction or shipping and maritime disputes.

Highly respected chairman Ngo Thanh Tung has represented foreign companies on various commercial disputes and possesses extensive experience in maritime disputes. Tran Tuan Phong is noted as quite experienced in advising on possible courses of action and negotiating with relevant parties before initiating legal proceedings.

The firm is also quite adept at arbitration work, such as drafting arbitration clauses and representing clients in foreign arbitral awards.

YKVN focuses on litigation and arbitration involving foreign investment and international commercial disputes. Although it lacks any direct international affiliation, the firm is still directly involved in cross border commercial litigation.

The practice is led by partners Truong Trong Nghia and Luu Tien Dzung, two of the most successful and respected litigators in Vietnam. Truong Trong Nghia is recognised as one of Vietnam’s most experienced litigators, while Luu Tien Dzung is one of the best at negotiating and settling complex international corporate disputes.

The firm recently represented the Vietnamese subsidiary of Exxon-Mobil before the Economic Court of Ho Chi Minh City and the Supreme Court. This was in connection with disputes arising from a long term gas distribution contract.

Audier & Partners has a proactive approach to dispute resolution based on sound knowledge and experience of local and international litigation procedures. Given its background, the firm has strong connections with international companies, particularly French investors.

The past year has seen the team advising a French commodities company in its potential claim against the Vietnamese government pursuant to the bilateral investment treaty between Vietnam and France.

Another transaction involved advising a project management company in respect of a dispute with a project owner on the early termination of a construction management contract for a luxury hotel project.

Working alongside the firm’s corporate practice, the disputes team advised a client on its dispute with a Vietnamese company concerning the value of capital contribution made by the client on the establishment of a company.

VB Law (formerly DC Law) offers comprehensive legal advice and innovative solutions on complex business issues. The practice is headed by Nguyen Ngoc Bich, who is one of Vietnam’s most highly regarded lawyers.

The firm advised long standing client Luks Group (Vietnam Holdings) in three separate matters that arose from lease contracts between Luks and three other companies in dispute. On this complex matter, no lease contracts were signed, and Luks made a claim against the three companies for unilateral termination of the lease contracts.

In another dispute, the team assisted Tan Me Kong Tourism on successful reconciliation and settlement of conflicts with the main construction contractor of a four-star hotel project in Vung Tau City.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s elite dispute resolution practice covers everything from arbitrations to contract disputes regarding shipping, manufacturing and projects.

Practice leader Milton Lawson is one of the few lawyers in Vietnam that possesses wide experience in handling arbitration and litigation matters, and has enjoyed a number of successful outcomes when advising both Vietnamese and foreign parties.

The past year has seen the team heavily involved on joint venture and shareholder disputes, as well as smaller matters involving construction and shipping issues.

Mayer Brown JSM’s practice covers a wide range of disputes spanning the real estate, projects, energy and media sectors. The team is led by partners Dao Nguyen and Mai Phuong Nguyen, both of whom are very capable in representing local and international clients. They are ably supported by senior associate Kevin Hawkins, who advises clients on litigation, business formation, oil, gas and corporate governance.

The firm advised Vinh Hoan Corp on a landmark cross border deal involving reversal of the anti-fish dumping ruling by the US Department of Commerce.

Vision & Associates combines local law capability with international expertise in providing the best possible solutions to clients. With experienced lawyers across different sectors, the team is capable of managing complex cases involving multiple claims.

The firm represented a Vietnamese company in a proceeding at the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) that included appealing the VIAC award to protect the legal interests of the client. Another dispute saw the firm represent employees making a claim against an international school for illegal termination of labour contracts.

DFDL Mekong

DFDL Mekong houses an integrated service where each practice collaborates to provide unique solutions to disputes. The firm advised an engineering and construction company on a default of payment after the main contractor completed the installation of equipment for one of the construction packages to the Dung Quat oil refinery.

LCT Lawyers

LCT Lawyers’ strong international relationships with regional firms enables its team to assist on an array of multi-jurisdictional disputes. The practice is led by partner Chau Huy Quang, who acted on behalf of PVFC Invest on the resolution of disputes with contractors and investors in one of the largest real estate projects in Hanoi.