Banking and Finance:

Tier 3

The Firm: At Vision & Associates, managing partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac and Luu Tien Ngoc have been particularly active. Highlights included advising the World Bank on setting up a pilot City Infrastructure Financing Facility and acting for a large domestic company in obtaining loans for a high-profile real estate development

Capital Market:

Tier 2

The Firm: Vision & Associates handles various Vietnamese legal issues regarding international capital markets matters. Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac and Dang Trong Hieu advise Franklin Templeton on a contemplated sale of securities via an off-exchange transaction. Other work relates to the Vietnamese law aspects of foreign listings, testament to this is Luu Tien Ngoc and Le Tuan Anh’s advice to Cheong Yun Holdings, which owns resorts in Vietnam, on its planned Hong Kong listing. Other clients include Mekong Capital, the Vietnamese Securities Depository and Duxton Asset Management.

Corporate and M&A:

Tier 3

The Firm:  Vision & Associates works with leading global firms to advise international investors on a range of acquisitions, including matters concerning competition law and warranties and indemnities insurance, alongside more traditional transactional mandates. Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac heads the practice, with other key partners including Luu Tien Ngoc, Le Quynh Anh and Ngo Trung Hieu.

Dispute Resolution:

Tier 2

The Lawyers:  Vision & Associates’ dispute resolution practice handles mandates including debt recovery, employment law and intellectual property disputes, often working alongside leading international and Asian firms. Le Tuan Anh, Dang Trong Hieu and Le Quynh Anh are the key contacts. Senior associates Le Nguyen Anh Vu, Nguyen Bao Ngoc and Pham Minh Long are also noted.

Insurance:

Tier 2

The Firm: Vision & Associates advises international insurers on matters such as acquirer’s warranties and indemnities insurance for M&A deals, as well as transactions in the sector. Luu Tien Ngoc, Dang Trong Hieu and senior associate Pham Thi Cuc advised Petrolimex Insurance on its sale of a stake to Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance. The team also advises the United Insurance Company of Vietnam and QBE on corporate matters.

Intellectual Property:

Tier 1

The Firm: Vision & Associates’ IP practice, led by Do Quang Hung, advises owners of world-renowned intellectual property on anti-counterfeiting, registration oppositions and filings concerning trade marks and patents. At partner level, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha is a key contact, while senior associates Nguyen Vu Quan and Nguyen Thuy Hong are also noted. Clients include Jack Daniel’s, Herbalife, Marvel Entertainment and Unilever.

The Lawyers: Managing partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac is ranked as Leading Individual.

Labour and Employment:

Tier 2

The Firm: Vision & Associates’ employment practice cover matters such as recruitment procedure, data protection, executive terminations, and whistleblowing issues for national and international clients. Le Tuan Anh and Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan advise Turkish Airlines on employment matters concerning its employees in Vietnamese airports, while in the contentious space Anh acted for United Insurance Company in terminating an employment contract following an employee’s breach of company procedure. Luu Tien Ngoc advised Bayer on transferring employee data to third-party service providers.

Project & Energy:

Tier 3

The Firm: Vision & Associates advises on matters including road construction projects and renewable energy, acting for investors, developers and suppliers alike. Le Quynh Anh advised VTEC on contracts for an electronic toll collection system on several motorways, with Luu Tien Ngoc also a key contact.

Real Estate and Construction:

Tier 3

The Firm: Vision & Associates handles a mix of transactional and regulatory work, including real estate finance. Dang Trong Hieu advises Obayashi Corporation on subcontractors’ agreements. Luu Tien Ngoc’s expertise includes joint venture matters, and executive partner Le Quynh Anh is a key name for real estate finance. Managing partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac advises on first-in-country projects in the hospitality sector. Other clients include City Garden Apartments Vietnam, which the firm advised on corporate matters following a change of ownership.

TMT:

Tier 2

The Firm: Vision & Associates advises a range of national and international clients on data protection matters, as well as handling other telecoms and online regulatory matters. Le Tuan Anh and senior associate Vuong Son Ha assisted PCCW Media with a review of terms and conditions regarding its online music service’s Vietnamese operations; Anh also advises Baidu on a proposed project launch in Vietnam. Luu Tien Ngoc advises Bayer on data protection matters concerning transfers of employee data. Other clients include John Lewis.

Tax:

Tier 3

The Firm: Vision & Associates’ tax offering is a source of non-contentious advice covering personal taxes, corporate transactional matters and issues concerning corporate restructurings. Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan is advising Air Liquide Vietnam on foreign contractor tax, and Le Quynh Anh is assisting Woodhouse Commodities with the tax aspects of its import and export businesses. Other clients include Vineco Agricultural Investment, Development and Productions, and Padmac Vietnam.

Overview:

Vision & Associates advised Cam Lo – Tuy Loan BT Investment Company on a $560 million loan financed by a group of Japanese banks. The team acted for the World Bank as a regulatory consultant for a project to set up a pilot City Infrastructure Financing Facility to finance municipal infrastructure in Vietnam.

Banking and Finance:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

The Firm: Vision & Associates advised Cam Lo – Tuy Loan BT Investment Company on a $560 million loan financed by a group of Japanese banks. The team acted for the World Bank as a regulatory consultant for a project to set up a pilot City Infrastructure Financing Facility to finance municipal infrastructure in Vietnam.

The Lawyers: PHAM NGHIEM Xuan Bac is ranked as Market-leading Lawyer.

Capital Markets:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

The Firm: Vision & Associates, a full service law firm, acted as counsel to underwriters, corporations and bond issuers including ISDN Holdings, Franklin Templeton Investments and DWS Vietnam Fund.

The Lawyers: Luu Tien Ngoc [Leading Lawyer] and Xuan Bac Pham Nghiem are the leading partners at the firm.

Corporate and M&A:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

The Firm: Vision & Associates is a “very good firm for local corporate, commercial and contractual issue based advice,” according to a client.

The Lawyers: Xuan Nguyen Thi Thanh is mentioned for her “impressive knowledge of local laws and clarity in communication”.

Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac is ranked as Market-leading Lawyer. Luu Tien Ngoc, Dang Trong Hieu and Le Quynh Anh are ranked as Leading Lawyers.

Key clients of the practice include Duxton Asset Management, VinaCapital Opportunity Fund and Keppel Land Vietnam.

Construction & Real Estate:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

The Firm: Vision & Associates is a “very good firm for local corporate, commercial and contractual issue based advice,” according to a client.

The Lawyers: Xuan Nguyen Thi Thanh is mentioned for her “impressive knowledge of local laws and clarity in communication”

Dispute Resolution:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

The Firm: Spearheaded by Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac, the dispute resolution and litigation practice at Vision & Associates represents a range of industry leaders including LG Electronics Vietnam, Hyundai RNC Ha Tay and Chevron Lubricants Vietnam.

The Lawyers: Quynh Anh Le acted for Hyundai RNC Ha Tay in a dispute against a Vietnamese individual over the termination of a house and purchase contract.

Intellectual Property:

Outstanding

The Firm: “V&A [the firm] always provides practical and sharp resolutions and always achieve intended results,” says a client.

The Lawyers: Vision & Associates’s IP team led by Quang Hung Do represented Charles & Keith against genuine handhelds bearing the mark “Charles & Keith” due to increased competition between authorised distributors and unauthorised sellers.

Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac is ranked as Market-leading Lawyer.

IT, Telco & Media:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

The Firm: Vision & Associates has a strong clientele in its IT, telco and media practice including IBM, Microsoft, Motorola and Baidu.

The Lawyers: Tuan Anh Le assisted PCCW Media in reviewing the terms and conditions and privacy policy applicable to its digital online music services based on the Vietnamese laws in force. Le also advised Baidu, the largest Chinese web services company, in its plan to launch online services in Vietnam, including opining on IP and regulatory matters.

Labour & Employment:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

The Firm: With clients such as JP Morgan Chase, Synergy Worldwide, Turkish Airlines and Boston Consulting Group, Vision & Associates has broad experience in the labour and employment market.

The Lawyers: Tien Ngoc Luu advised Bayer on transfers of HR data among different entities and with third-party service providers. Tuan Anh Le advised United Insurance Company of Vietnam on the termination  of a labour contract with the employee, who failed to comply with the employer’s salvage process by dismissal or mutual agreement

Project & Infrastructure:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

The Firm: With industry specific knowledge and expertise, clients such as Ministry of Transport, Cam Lo-Tuy Loan Bt Investment Company and An Khanh New City Development are pleased to work with Vision & Associates. Clients appreciate its “excellent local knowledge, pro-active and professional work ethics”. The firm continues to provide services for internationally-funded projects on infrastructure and power plant development, especially renewable energy, covering all phases from approval, submission, location, procurement and construction.

Shipping, Maritime & Aviation:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

The Firm: Vison & Associates advised Turkish Airlines on its retainer agreement including reviewing and revising employment contract template, a Tan Son Nhat Airport office lease agreement and application procedures for the issuance of a work permit.

The Lawyers: Tien Ngoc Luu advised Sky Cargo Service Company on its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The firm’s main clients include Cathay Pacific Airways, Lufthansa Technik, Southern Waterborne Transportation Corporation and Gefco.

Banking and Finance:

Band 3

What the team is known for Handles a wide range of banking and capital markets transactions, counselling clients on the establishment of domestic and foreign credit facilities and investment funds, syndicated bank lending and project financing. Active providing advisory services to various Vietnamese government agencies.

Works highlights Worked with the Nomura Research Institute to review the legal framework in place for an ODA loan to be provided to Vietnam in order to support agriculture finance.

Significant clients  HSBC, World Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Société Générale, Korea Development Bank.

Notable practitioners  Partner Luu Tien Ngoc [Band 3] has more than 20 years of experience in the legal and business consulting fields with key knowledge in foreign direct investment, banking and finance and capital markets. He is known for advising international companies in a broad range of sectors including telecommunications, electronics and banking.

Corporate and M&A:

Band 3

What the team is known for Busy on M&A mandates across a range of industry sectors and additionally advises on business restructuring and corporate governance. Especially active working with asset managers and investment funds with targets in Vietnam.

Work highlights Assisted BIDV Insurance with a private placement of shares valued at USD54 million.

Advised DWS Vietnam Fund on the preparation of an amendment to a convertible bond agreement.

Significant clients  Crédit Agricole, Wärtsilä Vietnam, Duxton Asset Management, VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund.

Notable practitioners Luu Tien Ngoc [Band 3] is co-head of department and has more than 22 years of experience on corporate law matters. He recently advised Duxton Asset Management on a USD2.6 million convertible bonds deal.

Dispute Resolution:

Band 3

What the team is known for Robust Vietnamese practice experienced in both international arbitration and litigation in the domestic courts. Deep bench serving clients on a suite of contentious matters, from debt interest and sales agreement enforcement to construction and employee dismissal lawsuits.

Works highlights Represented Lintec in a dispute regarding an outstanding payment related to a construction contract.

Acted for Air Liquide Vietnam in a VIAC-seated dispute regarding an outstanding payment amount related to a sale and purchase agreement.

Significant clients  Fujita, LG Electronics Vietnam, Readymix Concrete, Hyundai, Taya Construction & Development.

Notable practitioners  Le Tuan Anh and director of the legal practice Le Quynh Anh are key contacts.

Intellectual Property:

Band 1

What the team is known for Advises blue-chip clients in the media, consumer products and technology sectors on the prosecution and enforcement of IP rights, including industrial designs. Also advises on domain name protection and the resolution of cybersquatting issues, and continues to handle anti-counterfeiting actions.

Strengths Multiple peers agree that “they are a really good firm.”

Significant clients  Unilever, Honda, Lacoste, Parfums Christian Dior, Warner Bros.

Notable practitioners  Le Thi Kim Dzung [Band 1] is a highly experienced special counsel with a background at the National Office of Intellectual Property. Particularly experienced in patents law, she has a long history of acting on patent prosecutions and enforcements on behalf of multinational clients.

Head of the trade mark department Do Quang Hung [Band 2] is characterised by peers as “a very good lawyer.” His experience is centred on trade mark infringement cases and navigating lengthy contentious matters. He has been leading on a long running, and complex trade mark dispute on behalf of Ponaflex involving a cancellation action.

Founding and managing partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac [Band 3] represents a high-profile clientele with prosecution and enforcement mandates across a range of industry sectors. He has extensive experience in relation to patent infringement cases.

Real Estate:

Other Noted Firms

Le Quynh Anh [Band 2] of Vision & Associates has a long history in real estate and is especially renowned for her skilled handling of industrial property matters. She is described by multiple peers as a very respected lawyer “doing various angles of real estate.” Recently she has been acting for SUDICO on land use rights, contracting and development issues.

TMT:

Band 3

What the team is known for Sizeable department which frequently advises major international companies on their Vietnamese operations. Notable expertise in data protection, licensing and internet privacy. Well complemented by the firm’s IP expertise.

Work highlights Assisted TriMas with advice regarding its online recruitment process.

Significant clients  Electrolux, Motorola, Expedia, Pfizer, Microsoft.

Notable practitioners A key contact is Luu Tien Ngoc, who leads the office’s TMT practice.

Overview:

Banking and Finance:

Tier 2

The Lawyers: At Vision & Associates, managing partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac and Luu Tien Ngoc have been particularly active. Highlights included advising the World Bank on setting up a pilot City Infrastructure Financing Facility and acting for a large domestic company in obtaining loans for a high-profile real estate development

Corporate and M&A:

Tier 4

The Lawyers: At Vision & Associates, practice co-heads Luu Tien Ngoc and Dang Trong Hieu and managing partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac are regularly instructed by domestic and international clients on advisory and transactional matters.

Dispute Resolution:

Tier 2

The Lawyers:  Vision & Associates’ key partner Le Tuan Anh handles a steady flow of domestic litigation over a broad range of disputes such as debt recovery, sale and purchase agreements and employment contracts.

Insurance:

Tier 2

The Firm: Vision & Associates’ recent highlights include assisting Asia Capital Reinsurance Group with the review of its Vietnamese establishment licence.

The Lawyers: Luu Tien Ngoc and Le Tuan Anh regularly handle insurance-related instructions.

Intellectual Property:

Tier 1

The Firm: The firm advised Ponaflex on a requested cancellation of trade mark to allow ‘Pona & device’ to be licensed in the client’s name in Vietnam and has experience in handling litigation over counterfeit products. Other clients include Yahoo! and Hewlett-Packard.

The Lawyers: Nguyen Nguyet Dzung and Do Quang Hung are key names in the large team at Vision & Associates, which also includes well-respected managing partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac [Leading Individual].

Labour and Employment:

Tier 2

The Firm: Vision & Associates’ cross-practice team receives a steady flow of referrals from international law firms and such recent instructions include advising Electrolux on rolling out an online recruitment system and assisting QBE with the review and revision of its labour contract template in Vietnam.

The Lawyers: Le Tuan Anh is a name to note in the area.

Real Estate and Construction:

Tier 3

The Firm: Vision & Associates which advised City Garden Apartments Vietnam on amending its investment licence and assisted Berjaya Hotay with reviewing its bar licensing agreement at Sheraton’s hotel in Hanoi.

The Lawyers:  Le Quynh Anh is the main contact.

TMT:

Tier 2

The Firm: Vision & Associates undertook several data-related matters in 2015, including advising Microsoft on data protection under Vietnamese law and assisting Pfizer with the proposed establishment of e-signature documents in the country…  Altus Group is another key client.

The Lawyers: Le Tuan Anh and Dang Trong Hieu led on these matters respectively.

Tax:

Tier 3

The Firm: Vision & Associates recently advised a client on the tax consequences of transferring shares of its subsidiary and assisted another client with import duties in Vietnam.

The Lawyers: Dang Trong Hieu and Le Tuan Anh are the key contacts in the practice.

Overview:

Banking and Finance:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

The Firm: The banking group at Vision & Associates has recently been advising financial regulators on Vietnam’s legal framework as well as the establishment and operation of credit institutions. Instructed by one of the borrowers on the $560 million Cam Lo-Tuy Loan highway project. Luu Tien Ngoc and Dang Trong Hieu have been reviewing and revising the facility agreement and other documents.

The Lawyers: Mr. PHAM NGHIEM Xuan Bac is ranked as Market-leading Lawyer.

Capital Markets:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

Competition & Anti-trust:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

Construction & Real Estate:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

Corporate and M&A:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

The Lawyers: Mr. LUU Tien Ngoc, Mrs. LE Quynh Anh and Mr. DANG Trong Hieu are ranked as Leading Lawyers

Dispute resolution:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

The Firm: Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac leads Vision & Associates’s dispute resolution and litigation practice, which has been particularly successful at representing retainer clients, such as Vietmindo, an Indonesian mining company, and Kei Sei, a Japanese rail company, before courts such as the People’s Court of Hanoi City. Le Tuan Anh advised Lintec on the successful settlement of a construction contract dispute.

The Lawyers: Mr. Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac is ranked as Leading Lawyer

Financial Service Regulatory:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

Insurance:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

The Firm: Luu Tien Ngoc and Dang Trong Hieu, of the insurance practice at Vision & Associates, advised Asia Capital Reinsurance Group on a review of the establishment licence granted by Vietnamese authorities to a representative office of the organisation in Vietnam.

Intellectual Property:

Outstanding

The Firm: Bolstered by a team of more than 45 fee earners in its IP group, Vision & Associates advises domestic and foreign clients on all sectors of IP including copyright, designs, patents and trade marks. Headed by Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac, the practice regularly cooperates with reputable IP firms in Cambodia, China, Europe, Singapore and Thailand. Do Quang Hung represented Ponaflex, a Korean plastic hose manufacturer, in a trade mark dispute. The NOIP initially rejected the client’s application but the firm was able to convince the authorities that Ponaflex was the appropriate mark owner.

The Lawyers: Mr. Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac is ranked as Market-leading Lawyer.

Investment Fund:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

IT, Telco & Media:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

The Firm: Vision & Associates’s IT, media and telecommunications team tends to handle matters involving internet privacy, data protection and transfer, technology licensing and outsourcing. Dang Trong Hieu also advised pharmaceutical company Pfizer on how Vietnamese laws affected the use of e-signatures in its local operations.

Labour & Employment:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

Project & Infrastructure: 

Vision & Associates is recommended.

Restructuring & Insolvency:

Vision & Associates is highly recommended.

Taxation:

Vision & Associates is recommended.

Overview:

THE FIRM

Banking and Finance:

Band 3

What the team is known for: Typically represents domestic banks and government agencies on a range of banking and capital market transactions. Active on project financing for the infrastructure sector.

Notable practitioners:  Luu Tien Ngoc [Band 3]‘s specialisms include M&A, FDI, insurance, private equity and securities trading. He has a strong roster of international clients and is noted for his depth of experience interacting with governmental bodies.

Significant clients: HSBC, Korea Development Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, Standard Chartered, OCBC.

Corporate and M&A:

Band 3

What the team is known for: Busy on M&A mandates across a range of industry sectors and additionally advises on business restructuring and corporate governance. Especially active working with asset managers and investment funds with targets in Vietnam.

Notable practitioners:  Luu Tien Ngoc [Band 3] has been involved in the corporate law sphere for more than two decades. His broad expertise spans FDI, private equity, insurance and TMT. He remains active in advising key clients on sale and purchase arrangements.

Significant clients: Boston Consulting Group, Unilever, Duxton Asset Management, Sony Electronics, VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund.

Dispute Resolution:

Band 3

What the team is known for: Experienced in both international arbitration and litigation in the Vietnamese courts. Recent cases have included complex disputes in the real estate and construction sectors.

Significant clients: Fujita, LG Electronics, Readymix Concrete, PT Vietmindo Energitama.

Intellectual Property:

Band 1

What the team is known for: Advises blue-chip clients across media, consumer products and technology on the protection of IP rights in Vietnam. Frequently assists in both prosecution and enforcement. Additional capacity in respect of domain name registration and resolution of cybersquatting issues.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

“Key players in the market; they’ve been around a long time and have developed a good team.”

Notable practitioners:  Le Thi Kim Dzung [Band 1] heads the patent team at the firm and is described as “a guru” by a leading peer in the market. She is especially well versed in the prosecution of patents and has recently assisted clients in challenging patents filed by other groups.

Head of the trade mark department Do Quang Hung [Band 2] assists multinational clients on trade mark infringement proceedings in Vietnam. He also has experience advising on IP rights in Laos and Cambodia.

Founding partner Pham Nghiem Xuan Bac [Band 3] represents high-profile clientele with prosecution and enforcement mandates across a range of industry sectors. Lately, he has been acting for an international company regarding a series of major patent infringements in Vietnam.

Significant clients: Christian Dior, Hewlett-Packard, Honda, Lacoste, Warner Bros.

Real Estate:

Vision & Associates‘ executive partner Le Quynh Anh [Band 2] is a real estate expert. She has been active in this market for almost 25 years and is particularly known for her focus on industrial property matters. One recent highlight saw her advising on a joint venture between Vietnamese and Korean engineering firms for a construction project located in China

TMT:

Band 2

What the team is known for: Sizeable department which frequently advises major international companies on their Vietnamese operations. Significant expertise in outsourcing, data protection, licensing and internet privacy.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

“A very well-known firm with a good reputation.”

Work highlights: Assisted VMS through a range of matters, including reviewing co-operation and service supply contracts. Work highlights: Assisted VMS through a range of matters, including reviewing co-operation and service supply contracts.

Notable practitioners:  A key contact is Luu Tien Ngoc, who leads the office’s TMT practice.

Significant clients: Wintek Vietnam, BT, Motorola, Atotech Vietnam, Toyota Industrial Equipment Vietnam.