Following an extensive nomination process, Asia Business Law Journal unveils the A-List of Vietnam’s top 100 lawyers plus 10 legal icons. Miran Lim and Brian Yap report
As one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, Vietnam registered close to a 4% estimated GDP growth in the first quarter of 2024, according to data released by the country’s general statistics office.
The nation has also been making regulatory efforts to attract more foreign direct investment in different sectors of the economy, notably in semiconductors. In November 2024, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung reportedly said the state would eliminate prior-approval procedures for environmental protection and fire prevention for investment in the country’s industrial parks and export zones.
From the foreign investors’ side, Vietnam has increasingly become a major destination for business expansion. The Japanese power company, eRex, has set its sights on Vietnam as one of two countries — the other being Cambodia — for new biomass projects in Southeast Asia. eRex reportedly plans to run 19 biomass power plants in Vietnam by 2030 to 2035.
In a supply-chain-shifting exercise, the Japanese lens maker Tamron is also set to open a JPY4 billion (USD26.25 million) production facility in Vietnam for lens manufacturing that is scheduled to become fully operational by 2028.
Domestic Vietnamese enterprises have also been active in exploring cross-border business opportunities, with the country’s largest private airline, Vietjet, acquiring more than 400 advanced LEAP-1B engines from US aircraft parts manufacturer CFM International for USD8 billion.
On the legislative front, Vietnam has recently moved to strengthen personal data protection with the issuance of the first draft of a Law on Personal Data Protection in late September 2024. Under the new law, which is tentatively scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026, companies would be required to set up data protection departments tasked with handling not only the processing of sensitive personal data, but also managing basic personal information.
Against this backdrop, Asia Business Law Journal presents its A-List of 100 lawyers notable for their adherence to best practices in Vietnam, plus 10 Legal Icons for 2024. The A-List is the result of extensive research and nominations from in-house counsel primarily in Vietnam, but also Vietnam-focused partners with international law firms. Feedback from clients submitted to Asia Business Law Journal indicates demand for lawyers who, among their qualities, demonstrate unwavering dedication and expertise in domestic and international laws.
Transborder law competency
As cross-border transactions continue to grow, demand for both domestic and foreign law expertise, particularly among international investors tapping the Vietnamese market, has also been on the rise.
William Norton, president and CEO of Better Furniture in North Carolina, in nominating Hanoi-based Bizconsult’s equity partner, Phong Le Hong, points to him being “well versed not only in Vietnamese law but also in international law”.
Phong’s impeccable attention to detail and strategic thinking ability are among key traits that complement the equity partner’s recognised knowledge of Vietnamese and international laws. “I am very impressed by his abilities and feel very comfortable in his care,” says Norton.
International investors are not the only people who put a premium on legal talent with domestic and foreign legal capabilities. Doan Lan, the CEO of Ho Chi Minh City-based professional training and coaching company Asla, praises Tran Duc Hoang (Henry), a partner at Ho Chi Minh City-based Herman Henry & Dominic, for his “exceptional expertise in Vietnamese business law”.
“His deep understanding of both local and international legal frameworks ensures seamless navigation of complex cross-border transactions,” says Doan.
Full dedication
Although it is obvious that all lawyers should be fully committed to all of their cases and tasks, as well as to putting their clients’ interests first, levels of dedication can vary.
For Suha Kocabal, a partner at AirFinance Leasing in the US state of Virginia, Tran, of Herman Henry & Dominic, and his team stand out among the crowd for their exceptional level of dedication. Calling Tran “an actual quarterback”, Kocabal recounts how Tran oversaw different legal counsel across multiple jurisdictions to ensure that a deal ran smoothly.
“His advice to lenders about local culture and what local clients would expect to see was priceless,” says Kocabal.
Dedication is also not simply a one-time act of commitment, but something that persists and can be relied on at any time. Tee Yong Chan, the chief financial officer of YLF Marketing in Singapore, points to the “crucial role” played by Le Minh Phieu, the founder and managing partner of LMP Lawyers in Ho Chi Minh City, in the incorporation of his company’s new subsidiary in Vietnam.
Over the period of the incorporation, Le “maintained consistent and transparent communication”, keeping Chan and his company informed at every step.
“His responsiveness to our inquiries fostered a collaborative atmosphere that greatly eased our concerns,” says Chan.
Chan also shows his gratitude to Le, who demonstrated exceptional knowledge of local laws and regulations, for having shown high ethical standards as well as meticulous attention to detail in ensuring that all documentation was in place and requirements complied with.
More than just a lawyer
For many corporate clients, their external counsel serves as an outside legal adviser hired to support their in-house legal departments. But Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, a partner based in Nishimura & Asahi’s Ho Chi Minh City office, is more than “just a lawyer” to his client.
Sang Pham Thanh, the deputy general director at Kien A Corporation in Ho Chi Minh City, regards Nguyen as a “trusted partner” who seamlessly aligns his legal advice with business objectives and as a go-to adviser for any business need.
“Nguyen Ngoc Phuc is a highly dependable professional whose profound expertise and strategic mindset distinguish him in the legal industry,” says Sang.
Nguyen also left a lasting impression on other clients including Hoang Trang, the deputy manager at KCN Group in Ho Chi Minh City, for his “exceptional ability” to navigate complex legal landscapes with clarity and precision.
“Nguyen Ngoc Phuc … offers valuable, business-oriented and actionable solutions that reflect his unparalleled dedication to his clients’ success,” says Hoang.
Compiling the A-List
The A-List is based on extensive research conducted by Asia Business Law Journal. To identify the top lawyers in Vietnam, we turned to thousands of in-house counsel in the country and around the world – as well as partners at international law firms – and asked them to tell us which lawyers should make the cut.
A-List lawyers were defined on the nomination form as “lawyers who are currently the star performers of Vietnam’s legal profession; the lawyers who are personally undertaking the country’s top legal work, crafting the most cutting-edge legal solutions to complex problems, and setting the highest standards in terms of quality, innovation and the ability to handle complex matters”.
Our 10 Legal Icons were defined as “lawyers who are the luminaries of Vietnam’s legal profession; the titans who command the respect of clients and juniors alike; the mentors who lead Vietnam’s most admired law firms and/or legal teams, and who are the country’s most prolific rainmakers”.
All private practice Vietnamese lawyers and foreign lawyers based in the country were automatically eligible for inclusion in the nomination process. There were no fees or any other requirements for entry.
