The laws on the practice of foreign lawyers in Vietnam

Abstract

There have been requirements for opening the legal service market and commitments to allow foreign lawyers and foreign law-practising organizations to practice in Vietnam since the beginning of the Vietnamese renovation policy, attracting foreign investors. Since the opening, Vietnam have received a “wave” of foreign investment; however, foreign investors must comply with Vietnamese laws in a new market. The demand for international legal services provided by global law firms is significantly increasing. In addition, legal service is also a field where foreign lawyers and foreign law-practising organizations wish to enter and practice the Vietnamese’s market, especially when the competition from Vietnamese lawyers are still weak and there is no legal organization dominating the market. This research clarifies laws on the practice of foreign lawyers and foreign law-practising organizations in Vietnam and proposes recommendations to improve the laws in this field.