Following an extensive nomination process, Asia Business Law Journal unveils the A-List of Vietnam’s top 100 lawyers plus 12 legal icons. Byung Jin Park and Miran Lim report
A major surge in infrastructure development is taking place in Vietnam right now, with associated impacts on the legal sector. As of early December 2025, local media reported that up to 19 ministries, 25 localities and 13 enterprises have registered to simultaneously break ground for and inaugurate 198 infrastructure projects nationwide on 19 December, ahead of the 14th National Party Congress scheduled for January 2026.
These projects have a combined investment capital of more than VND983 trillion (USD37.3 billion). Such significant infrastructure projects operate within a complex legal environment that shapes how they are planned, approved, financed and built, and Vietnamese lawyers will be required to ensure that these large-scale projects are executed safely, timely, and in a way that protects the public’s interests.
Vietnam is not alone as infrastructure projects are taking shape across its borders as well. In November 2025, the country’s deputy prime minister Ho Duc Phoc, met with his Lao counterpart, Saleumxay Kommasith, during an official visit to Laos. Both sides emphasised the need to accelerate the progress of key strategic projects such as the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway, Vung Ang Port projects 1, 2, and 3, and the Lao-Vietnam Railway development project.
Cross-border infrastructure projects are inherently complex, as they involve two or more jurisdictions, each with their own laws and standards. Vietnamese lawyers are set to act as the legal architecture behind these projects, which will enable the infrastructure developments to function across different countries, and must ensure that these schemes advance in a legally secure and commercially viable manner.
With the ambitious objective of upgrading the country’s infrastructure, Vietnam is undergoing record-level economic growth. In the third quarter of 2025, Vietnam’s economy grew by 8.23%, supported by strong exports and domestic production despite the unstable US tariff policy. This was the strongest quarterly result since the third quarter of 2022. In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s economy expanded 7.85% year-on-year, a mark fast approaching the government’s full-year target of 8%.
As Vietnam maintains robust economic momentum and strengthens its regional connectivity, the country’s legal community will remain pivotal in ensuring that this historic infrastructure push is executed responsibly, strategically and in a manner that supports sustainable growth for decades to come.
Recognising the role of these lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal proudly presents its A-List of 100 lawyers notable for their adherence to best practices in Vietnam, plus 12 Legal Icons for 2025. 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 ABLJ indicates demand for lawyers who, among their qualities, demonstrate unwavering dedication and expertise in domestic and international laws.
Arbitration lawyers
As arbitration continues to grow rapidly in Vietnam, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) has handled a record 478 cases in 2024, with several arbitration lawyers having made their mark on this year’s A-List.
Dinh Anh Tuyet of IDVN Lawyers received praise from Valerio Salvatori, a counsel at Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle in Milan, Italy, with whom she has worked on three investment arbitration cases. Salvatori says that in each case, Dinh and her IDVN team played a crucial role in helping his colleagues navigate the complexities of Vietnamese law, and in developing arguments and strategies grounded in their legal analysis.
“She is an excellent arbitration lawyer, having extensive experience as counsel in high-stake investment disputes which, to my knowledge, always resulted in favourable outcomes for her clients. It is truly a pleasure to work with her,” says Salvatori.
K Minh Dang, a senior partner and head of international arbitration at YKVN who has more than 40 years of legal experience, also received praise from Duc Tuu Ngo, senior legal counsel at Archer Daniels Midland, a multinational food processing and commodities trading company based in Ho Chi Minh City.
“Minh is the dean of Vietnamese lawyers around the globe,” says Ngo. “He maintains a very active practice in complex international arbitrations and corporate matters, and continues to inspire generations of Vietnamese lawyers by his example and thought leadership.”
Communication skills
In this year’s Vietnam A-List, lawyers who demonstrated strong communication skills stood out, earning praise from clients who credited these abilities as essential to navigating complex legal matters and achieving successful outcomes.
Duc Tran Manh, chief legal and compliance officer at Home Credit Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, speaks highly of Linh Bui, who is a partner and head of Vietnam at Allens.
“Linh’s commitment to her clients is exemplified by her principle of being always available,” says Tran.
“Regardless of time-zone differences, urgent matters, or tight deadlines, she ensures herself and her team are within the reach of clients. This approach helps maintain the necessary momentum on time-sensitive projects.”
Khairuddin Yahya, global legal director at C-Hawk Group of Companies in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, which supports advanced equipment manufacturers globally, speaks highly of Nguyen Van Phuc, managing partner at HM&P Law Firm, for his communication skills.
“Nguyen possesses a combination of legal expertise, strong communication and problem-solving abilities. We trust him and his team to handle and manage complex issues with tight deadlines,” says Yahya.
Understanding the unique market
With its strong state influence and system of collective land ownership, Vietnam is a legal market with several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other Asian jurisdictions. As a result, lawyers with deep local knowledge received significant recognition in this year’s A-List, underscoring how essential an understanding of Vietnam’s unique market has become.
Le Hong Phong, an equity partner at Bizconsult Law Firm, received praise for his “sound judgement with commercial acumen”, from John Zappia, attorney at DLA Piper in Houston, Texas.
“His deep expertise in Vietnam has been essential to our matters, and he consistently delivers practical, thoughtful legal advice. Phong combines sound judgement with commercial acumen in a way that sets him apart. He has repeatedly gone above and beyond to secure excellent outcomes for our client,” says DLA’s Zappia.
Lai Foong Chan, of counsel and director at K&L Gates Straits Law in Singapore, tells ABLJ that Richard Stapley-Oh, partner and head of KPMG Law in Vietnam, is her “go-to lawyer for everything in Vietnam and Cambodia”.
“We do not just need a lawyer who knows the law and the legal implications of doing business in Vietnam and Cambodia, but we also need good lawyers to explain to us the social differences, expectations and work culture in those countries,” says Chan.
“I know I can just reach out to Richard to find me the right person for the job, and I know I will always be in a safe pair of hands that saves me a lot of trouble and expense.”
Yahya, of the C-Hawk Group of Companies, also points out the “practical, forward-looking advice” from Nguyen Van Phuc, managing partner of HM&P.
“He offers not only technical excellence but also practical, forward-looking advice that aligns with our business objectives. What sets him apart is his ability to distil intricate legal concepts into actionable strategies, ensuring we stay ahead in a dynamic market especially in a growing market like Vietnam,” says Yahya.
Compiling the A-List
The A-List is based on extensive research. ABLJ turned to thousands of in-house counsel in the country and around the world – as well as partners at international law firms – to identify the lawyers who should make the cut.
A-List lawyers are 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 12 Legal Icons are 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 lawyers and foreign lawyers based in the country are automatically eligible for inclusion in the nomination process. There are no fees or any other requirements for entry.
