VILAF > Hanoi, Vietnam > Firm Profile
VILAF Offices
6TH FLOOR, HCO BUILDING (MELIA)
44B LY THUONG KIET STREET, HOAN KIEM DISTRICT
HANOI
Vietnam
VILAF > The Legal 500 Rankings
Vietnam > Banking and finance Tier 1
With extensive experience in cross-border transactions, VILAF regularly advises high-profile clients across a wide range of industries, including financial institutions, aviation, construction, and renewable energy. The team is led by Hung Nguyen and Duyen Vo, who are located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City respectively and handle a diverse array of complexly structured syndicated financing arrangements. As an expert in the field, partner Phong Tran is highly sought after to advise on infrastructure project financings. Partner Trung Vu and associate Tung Nguyen also come highly recommended.Practice head(s):
Duyen Ha Vo; Hung Nguyen
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Goshawk Aviation
K-Sure
KEXIM
ANZ
HSBC
Apple Bank
Credit Suisse
KPCF Investments
No Va Land Investment Group Corporation
GLP – Vietnam Development Partners
Military Bank and Kasikornbank
BNP Paribas
E.Sun Commercial Bank
Far Eastern International
Fulbright University Vietnam USA, Inc
Fulbright University Vietnam Corporation
Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Singapore Branch
Gia Lai Electricity Joint Stock Company
Keppel Land
OPEC Fund for International Development
Work highlights
- Advised Goshawk Aviation on its $6.7bn sale to SMBC Aviation Capital.
- Advised K-Sure, KEXIM, ANZ and HSBC on the $1bn financing of LG Display Vietnam’s plant expansion.
Vietnam > Capital markets Tier 1
Handling a high volume of international capital markets mandates, VILAF has demonstrated stellar activity overseeing IPOs in the real estate sector, as well as benefitting from Vietnam’s healthy start-up environment, to which the firm has been a key adviser. Furthermore, leading work regarding green bonds alongside continued excellence in the debt financing space showcases the firm’s wide engagement in this space. Duyen Ha Vo and Hung Nguyen co-head the group, with both individuals possessing a strong international practice that concentrates on the various issues surrounding IPOs. Phong Tran is revered for his banking and financing work in the energy and aviation sectors, and has been active working with multinational investment banks and financial services corporations on a wide array of mandates.Practice head(s):
Duyen Ha Vo; Hung Nguyen
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BeerCo Ltd.
Hung Thinh Land
Vietcombank Securities Co., Ltd.
Ant Group
Mavin Corporation Joint Stock Company
Nam Long Investment Corporation
Nova Consumer Group
Vingroup
Work highlights
- Advised Vietcombank Securities, Co., Ltd., as the underwriter, in the issuance of US$75 million fixed interest rate bonds with a Green Bond element of EVNFC.
Vietnam > Corporate and M&A Tier 1
VILAF exhibits a strong corporate offering, acting across a wide array of sectors on multi-billion dollar deals from both the buyer and seller side, landmark joint venture partnerships, and restructurings in the wake of investments from both regional and international capitalists. Over the past twelve months the firm has been able to add a stellar list of clients to an already impressive portfolio, including Vietnamese Pharmaceutical giants, leading continental energy players, and multinational private equity firms. Team head Duyen Vo Ha is singled out for her work regarding financial services and energy clients, with recent matter highlights including vast cross-border acquisitions and mergers. The similar skill set of fellow co-head Anh Dang ensures he is frequently sought out by a host of clients for his expertise pertaining to a number of strategically-significant deals. Phong Tran is another practitioner of note, possessing strong banking and capital market acumen to competently advise on complex regional and international transactions.Practice head(s):
Duyen Ha Vo; Anh Dang
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Organised and professional team with vast experience in Vietnam’s M&A transactions. They have provided useful guidance to plan our project’s timeline and execution.’
‘Highly ambitious team. All questions were answered in a knowledgeable way and the team always helped to find workarounds to barriers.’
‘Anh Dang is highly experienced and an outstanding M&A lawyer. Very clear and down-to-the point communication.’
Key clients
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
Owners of MERAP Group
Sojitz Corporation and Vietnam Livestock Corporation JSC (a subsidiary of Vinamilk)
Japan Petroleum Exploration Company Limited (JAPEX)
VinaCapital
TMMC Healthcare
SVP Worldwide
Cinven Discovery Purchaser Corporation
Shiseido Company Limited
Lone Star Funds
Warburg Pincus Asia LLC
Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
Denham Capital/Nexif Energy
GEODIS International
Work highlights
- Advised Cinven Discovery Purchaser Corporation in the US$2.6 billion acquisition of Bayer’s Environmental Science Professional business.
- Advised Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in the US$2.2 billion acquisition of the tax and immigration business in Vietnam from PwC.
- Advised Shiseido Company Limited in the transfer of their personal care business to K.K. Oriental Beauty Holding worth US$1.5 billion.
Vietnam > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1
The team at VILAF regularly represents its domestic and international corporate clients in arbitrations before the SIAC and VIAC and is well-geared to act on on employment, corporate, projects and infrastructure and insurance disputes. The team is co-led by Tung Ngo, who is a leading contact for disputes in the shipping and maritime space, and Linh Nguyen, who is active across a series of noteworthy cases in Vietnam, Singapore and Japan. Hien Tran's far-reaching expertise is particularly concentrated on tax disputes, with an impressive run him helm high profile deals for a mix of leading industry players. Senior associate Hanh Vo's expertise extends across a broad range of matters, including arbitrations related to construction and real estate disputes.Vietnam > Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 1
Presiding over both domestic and international disputes with a notable concentration on the construction and energy sectors, the team at VILAF pull together a wealth of expertise to handle issues pertaining to contractual and monetary contentions, employment terminations, fraud investigations and product liability and recall. Furthermore, the group is also well-versed in the enforcement of foreign arbitral award and court judgements. The team is steered by Tung Ngo who is a go-to for the practice’s stellar list of manufacturing, real estate and insurance clients, whereas co-head Linh Nguyen compliments her cross-border prowess with expert litigating skills to handle the firm’s most complex international cases. Hien Tran has been active on a mixed book of cases over the past twelve months, including energy, manufacturing, logistics, and aviation sector centred disputes, while Hanh Vo has played an integral supporting role on matters.Vietnam > Projects and energy Tier 1
Frequently sought out by foreign investors due to its reputation as a leading player in the LNG and gas sectors, VILAF act on an impressive display of joint ventures, acquisitions, divestments and financing mandates, both domestic and international, showing further expertise regarding regulatory, environmental, contractual and due diligence work. The practice is regularly engaged in high-value transactions pertaining to a wide range of traditional and renewable energy sources, with an increased flow of mandates regarding wind, solar and hydropower. The group is led by three individuals, the first being Phong Tran who also sits in the banking and finance and capital markets practice, leveraging this financing proficiency to advise international lenders on first-of-its-kind funding structures for gas and LNG projects. The other two team heads are Duyen Vo and Anh Dang, who have both been highly active over the past twelve months, with the former demonstrating competence handling the development and construction piece within a strong volume of renewable energy deals, and the latter recognised for his broad expertise spanning both financing and M&A. Lam Nguyen, who has previous experience in a governmental advisory role, has overseen a number of joint ventures, acquisitions and financings.Practice head(s):
Phong Tran; Duyen Ha Vo; Anh Dang
Other key lawyers:
Lam Nguyen; Anh Bui
Testimonials
‘Collaboration between VILAF’s team and our members is really close, creating deep understanding of the subject matters.’
Key clients
AES Corporation
Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
Marubeni Corporation
Long Son Petrochemicals Company
Nghi Son 2 BOT Company Limited
Van Phong Power Company Limited
Denham Capital/Nexif Energy
Japan Petroleum Exploration Company Limited
Gia Lai Electricity Joint Stock Company
Soga Pluto Company Limited
Sumitomo Corporation
ACWA Power
Fecon
Work highlights
- Advised AES Corporation in the $1bn joint venture development of LNG with PVGas.
- Advised Denham Capital/Nexif Energy on the sale of its $605m renewable energy portfolio to Ratch Group.
Vietnam > Real estate and construction Tier 1
The team at VILAF possesses a multifarious practice which is complimented by its considerable international reach, working for a range of pan-Asian developers and investors. Capital markets and disputes work in the real estate space has been a flagship component of the team’s work, which also handles residential housing project acquisitions as well as industrial plot transactions. Hien Nguyen and Ngoc Anh Bui co-lead the practice, with the former noted for her early stage work on construction projects, including designing, contractual, and development advice, and the latter for cross border expertise which focuses on foreign direct investment. Duyen Ha Vo has a far-reaching practice which is particularly strong on financing and banking issues and has been an active presence on the firm’s most consequential client instructions.Practice head(s):
Hien Nguyen; Ngoc Anh Bui
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Warburg Pincus Asia LLC
Hung Thinh Land
No Va Land Investment Group Corporation
Gamuda Land
Keppel Land
Nam Long Investment Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Warburg Pincus Asia LLC in the $800m investment in JD Property Group Corporation.
Vietnam > Labour and employment Tier 3
VILAF > Firm Profile
The firm: With 30 years of experience in Vietnam, VILAF is one of the largest law firms in Vietnam and consistently ranked as a first-tier law firm by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, IFLR1000, Asia Law and Chambers and Partners.
VILAF has been representing clients in many complex cross-border M&A, large financing and capital markets transactions, and major infrastructure and energy projects in Vietnam. The firm’s long-term clients include, among others, Marubeni Corporation, Mizuho Bank, ANZ, Sumitomo Corporation, Phillip Morris, BNP Paribas, Siam Cement Group, Capitaland, Jollibee Foods Corporation, HSBC, Hoa Lam, Ford, and GM.
VILAF’s experienced team of senior lawyers covers every aspect of business in Vietnam, including foreign direct investment, commercial, corporate, real estate, M&A, banking, finance, capital markets, project finance, infrastructure development, oil, gas and power, construction, trading and distribution, taxation, employment, shipping, litigation and arbitration, intellectual property, technology transfers and life sciences.
Areas of practice
Corporate and M&A: the corporate team of 38 lawyers has handled many of Vietnam’s largest and most complex M&A and restructuring transactions. The corporate team also advises on equitisation, commercial contracts, antitrust, energy, direct investment, insurance, private equity and life sciences. As the largest corporate team in the country, the team is also well capable of assisting multinational clients on all operational corporate matters. Notable matters include: advising Siam City Cement in the $560m acquisition of LafargeHolcim’s 65% shares in Holcim Cement Vietnam; and advising SCG Group in its $440m acquisition of 100% cement businesses in Vietnam Construction Material JSC and in its $250m acquisition of Prime Group.
Banking and finance, and capital markets: the banking and finance, and capital markets team of 18 lawyers advises multinational financial institutions, funds and investors in relation to complex deals in financing manufacturing, acquisition, infrastructure and energy projects in Vietnam, and in securities transactions. VILAF provides advice across a wide range of financial products including asset finance, bonds, international listing transaction, IPO, derivatives, project finance, restructuring, and structured finance. Notable matters include: advising Credit Agricole and ANZ on the transfer of its roles (security agent, onshore account bank, offshore account bank) in the syndicate of lenders financing the Phu My 2.2 BOT power project to ANZ Vietnam Ltd.
Energy and infrastructure: the energy and infrastructure team of 22 lawyers has advised on many of the most complex energy and infrastructure projects, including projects that were the first of their type in Vietnam. VILAF has been advising lenders, sponsors, and buyers in relation to BOT power projects, BOT and BOO water projects, PPP projects, independent power plants, expressway projects, metro line project, and port projects. Notable matters include: advising the sponsors in Nghi Son 2 BOT power project, Vinh Tan 1 BOT power project, the ‘Project Finance Deal of the Year 2016’ awarded by IFLR and ALB.
Real property: the real property team of 15 lawyers is the largest team of real property experts in Vietnam. VILAF advises developers, sellers, and buyers in relation to industrial parks, healthcare parks, mixed-use commercial complexes, mini-town projects, resorts and casinos, and other residential projects. The team also advises on EPC contracts and construction matters. Notable matters include advising Chow Tai Fook and VMS Investment in acquiring 80% of an integrated casino, resorts, and residential project of $4bn in Vietnam.
Dispute resolution: the dispute resolution team has increasingly been involved in dispute resolution by arbitration. VILAF has a strong presence in maritime, finance, investment and construction disputes. VILAF has represented multinational clients in dispute resolutions, by way of out- of-court settlement or before the Vietnamese courts, state agencies or the Vietnam International Arbitration Center, and acts as Vietnamese law expert witness in international litigation and arbitration.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Aviation | Phong Tran | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Aviation | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Aviation | Trung Vu | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Banking and finance | Hung Q. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Banking and finance | Phong Tran | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Banking and finance | Trung Vu | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Banking and finance | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Capital markets | Hung Q. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Capital markets | Phong Tran | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Capital markets | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Capital markets | Trung Vu | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
General corporate and commercial | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
General corporate and commercial | Phong Tran | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
General corporate and commercial | Linh D. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
General corporate and commercial | Hung Q. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
General corporate and commercial | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
General corporate and commercial | Trung Vu | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
General corporate and commercial | Lam Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Corporate and M&A | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Corporate and M&A | Phong Tran | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Corporate and M&A | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Corporate and M&A | Lam Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Corporate and M&A | Trung Vu | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Real estate and construction | Lam Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Real estate and construction | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Real estate and construction | Phong Tran | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Real estate and construction | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Real estate and construction | Linh D. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Dispute resolution | Linh D. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Dispute resolution | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Insurance | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Insurance | Linh D. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Employment | Linh D. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Employment | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Projects and energy | Phong Tran | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Projects and energy | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Projects and energy | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Projects and energy | Lam Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Shipping | Linh D. Nguyen | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
TMT | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Tax | Anh Dang | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Tax | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
International trade | Ngoc Anh Bui | [email protected] | +84 24 3934 8530 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Anh Bui | Hanoi Managing Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Anh Dang | Senior Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Lam Nguyen | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Linh Nguyen | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Hung Nguyen | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Phong Tran | Founding Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Trung Vu | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 90 at this office : 40Languages
English VietnameseMemberships
American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) World Law Group Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (InCham) Vietnam Business Lawyers Club (VBLC) Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) International Bar Association (IBA) Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA)Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Vincent Wong, Director
COMPANY/FIRM: Fleming International
TESTIMONIAL: Our manufacturing plant moved from China to Vietnam in 2005. We were fortunate to have known VILAF from the very beginning to help us set up our business here. Over the years, we have received valuable advice and strong assistance from VILAF to help us sail through the unknown waters.
Last year, we celebrated our 10th year anniversary in Ho Chi Minh City. Moving a factory to a completely new environment and making it even more successful than ever before wasnt easy work. For that we sincerely thank the very professional VILAF team in our special occasion. Congratulations to VILAF, our true partner!
CLIENT: Alexis de Mecquenem, Partner
COMPANY/FIRM: Development Finance Asia (DFA)
TESTIMONIAL:
Development Finance Asia (DFA) has been extremely satisfied with VILAFs output and out-of-the-box approach for complex transactions. Teams dedication and professionalism were critical to our recent successes in Vietnam.