Vietnamese law firm VILAF has boosted its Ho Chi Minh office with a dual partner promotion.

The firm has appointed Vo Ha Duyen and Pham Si Hai Quynh as partners, raising the total number of partners to nine.

Tax and project finance specialist Duyen, who originally joined the firm in 2001, will return to the firm in March after completing a second masters degree at Michigan University in the US. Duyen is reportedly one of the first Vietnamese lawyers to have passed the New York Bar Exam.

"Duyen's return to our partnership is great news for VILAF both in terms of our practice and management," said partner Tung T. Ngo. "In my personal view, Duyen is a kind of think-tank for VILAF."

Former academic and UK-trained lawyer, Pham Si Hai Quynh, will be the firm's newest partner, following eight years as an associate in the Ho Chi Minh office. Ngo said that Quynh's promotion represents a positive future for the firm. "With his youth, energy, enthusiasm and good attitude he will be a great addition to our reputation."

Although the small south Asian nation has not remained unscathed by the economic downturn affecting its larger neighbours, Ngo was positive about the prospect for legal work. "Because the legal market in Vietnam is less competitive than those in other countries and VILAF is ranked number one, we still have enough work to overcome the recession."

Ngo recalled that last year, clients were lining up outside the firm's offices. "We had to refer small clients to other law firms," he said. "The market this year is quiet, but I can identify many opportunities in it. We now have a chance to retreat a bit to strengthen and focus more on the quality of our legal services. Our management has concluded that the survival tool for our law firm in this economic crisis - and even for our sustainable development - is better quality services and reasonable fees."