VILAF

VILAF remains a stand-out full service law firm in Vietnam and houses one of the best legal teams across the country. The firm is ranked ‘Outstanding’ in virtually all categories and its work evidence has shown prominence particularly in areas such as project finance, cross-border transactions and construction dispute. This year, its labour and employment practice has been promoted to the top tier. The front-runners at the firm include banking and finance lawyer Ha Duyen Vo, corporate and M&A partners Duong Anh Dang and Tuan Phong Tran as well as dispute secpialist Si Hai Quynh Pham.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Acted as local counsel to Singapore branch of Credit Suisse in relation to a multi-million loan facility offering to Agri Asia Pacific.

Advised Avolon Aerospace on the leasing and financing procedures regarding the Airbus aircrafts leasing to Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways.

Key clients

Ant Financial, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Deutsche Bank, Goshawk

Capital markets

Work highlights

Acted as Vietnam counsel to Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation in a private issuance of fixed interest rate bonds guaranteed by Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF).

Key clients

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power, Credit Suisse, WP Investments III

Construction

Work highlights

Represented Keangnam Enterprises in an EPC contract dispute with AON Vietnam in relation to unpaid construction claims.

Assisted a construction material company in Vietnam in collecting equipment supply debts from relevant employers and main contractors.

Key clients

Goshu Kohsan, Marubeni Corporation, Samsung Engineering

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Advising Vingroup in relation to GIC and Credit Suisse’s $500 million acquisition of Vincommerce retail chain business.

Advising AquaOne on its share transfer in Song Duong Water Surface, being the very first M&A transaction of a private investor investing in the water supply sector in the jurisdiction.

Key clients

Augusta Investment, Minh Phu Seafood, Ophir Energy, Shizen Energy

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Acted as Vietnam counsel to Grab in the hearings commissioned by the Vietnam Competition and Consumer Protection Authority regarding Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia business and the related investigation onto the regulatory and antitrust issues arisen.

Assisting Lucky Communication Equipment, the head distributor of Nokia, in a dispute with Nokia in relation to the termination agreement and related legal issues.

Key clients

Equis Vietnam, Ford Vietnam, Lazada Southeast Asia

Energy

Work highlights

Acted as Vietnam counsel to Marubeni and KEPCO in relation to the Nghi Son 2 BOT Thermal Power Plant project.

Advising Sumitomo Corporation on the Van Phong 1 Thermal Power Plant project.

Key clients

B Grimm Power, Japan Bank of International Cooperation, Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank

Labour and employment

Work highlights

Assisted a group of Hong Kong and Singapore-based investors in a potential white-collar crime investigation into Huy Vietnam and Mon Hue as well as the subsequent legal actions.

Advised MM Mega Market, a supermarket chain in Vietnam, on the termination of a high-level Vietnamese manager.

Key clients

Magnussen Logistics, Prudential Vietnam Assurance, Sumitomo Corporation

Real estate

Work highlights

Advising Berjaya Corporation in the 75% equity interest transfer of TPC Nghi Tam Village to Hanoi Hotel Tourism Development.

Client feedback

“Proactive and attentive to client's needs. Great knowledge of commercial and industry practices.” – Real estate

Vu Le Trung

“Attentive to client's need and good legal knowledge.”