Christophe Cougnaud, Business Lawyer at Forvis Mazars and a Key Player in Vietnam’s Rapid Expansion

From Paris to Hanoi: the journey of an international business lawyer

When Christophe Cougnaud flew to Vietnam in September 2019, he discovered a country he had never set foot in before. As a business lawyer for over fifteen years, admitted to the Paris Bar and authorized to practice abroad, he had already spent a decade working in business law firms in Paris and then Lyon, within French and Anglo-Saxon structures. His move to Vietnam was driven as much by chance in his career path as by a family opportunity: when his wife, an in-house counsel, obtained a position in Hanoi, the couple decided to take the plunge with their two children. Christophe quickly joined a business law firm in Vietnam, where he would practice for four years.

In January 2024, he joined Forvis Mazars in Vietnam, a major turning point in his career. Mazars, a leading audit and consulting firm founded in France, has a long history in Vietnam, as its local branch was established 30 years ago by Jean-Marc Deschamps, a pioneer of the French business venture in the country. It was the late Deschamps who, before his passing in early 2025, offered Christophe Cougnaud the opportunity to participate in the creation of the law firm Forvis Mazars Legal Vietnam. In 2024, Mazars partnered with the American giant Forvis to form Forvis Mazars, a global group encompassing audit, accounting, tax, financial advisory services, and now a strengthened network of lawyers.

The Audit, Tax, Accounting and Legal teams of Forvis Mazars Vietnam met at a conference in Hanoi

At the forefront of Vietnam’s development: supporting investors from A to Z

Forvis Mazars has now over 300 employees in Vietnam, including around 20 lawyers based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. With this presence in the country's two main economic hubs, the firm is well positioned to effectively support foreign investors, particularly European and French companies, seeking to establish a presence there. The firm has also developed a French Desk to guide French companies through every stage of their setup and has dedicated desks for the German and Dutch markets. Finally, Forvis Mazars Vietnam is the leading provider of outsourcing services in Vietnam and the number one provider of financial modeling for energy and infrastructure projects in the Asia-Pacific region.

The strength of this model lies largely in the complementary nature of its expertise, as each case is handled by a team of two lawyers: a French lawyer and a Vietnamese lawyer. This approach allows for a combination of in-depth knowledge of Vietnamese law with a precise understanding of international expectations and standards. Furthermore, Forvis Mazars' particularly robust cross-border collaboration model in the APAC region is based on an integrated global partnership, ideal for companies seeking a multi-country presence. This combination is especially sought after by European companies with diverse needs: choosing the most suitable legal structure, understanding Vietnamese labor law, managing expatriates, providing assistance with corporate or real estate law, regulatory compliance, taxation, payroll, immigration, and more. The ambition is to offer an integrated service capable of supporting investors from start to finish, whether they are large CAC 40 companies attracted by the country's strong growth, French SMEs, or individual entrepreneurs looking to launch their businesses in Vietnam.

More specifically, Christophe Cougnaud is particularly involved in infrastructure projects such as the construction of subways, airports, railway lines, power plants, and water treatment plants, all strategic sectors that must keep pace with a country experiencing rapid economic growth and whose projects often benefit from international financing through banks or development agencies. In this context, major European groups appreciate having local French-speaking and bilingual English contacts who can bridge the gap between their contractual requirements and the realities of Vietnamese law. The team also handles international arbitration cases, an essential area of ​​expertise for securing major contracts.

Working meeting between the staff of the law firm Forvis Mazars Legal Vietnam Forvis Mazars

Integrating, engaging, passing on knowledge: the enhanced role of a French lawyer in Vietnam

Being a French lawyer in Vietnam is still a relatively rare situation: there are only about ten practicing lawyers in the entire country. This unique situation gives Christophe Cougnaud a role that extends beyond strict legal practice. He is one of the vice-presidents of the French-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFV), a key organization that is generally the first point of contact for foreign investors. His involvement in the CCIFV’s operations allows Christophe Cougnaud to be at the heart of the Franco-Vietnamese economic ecosystem.

Of course, cultural integration is also part of his daily life. In Hanoi, he works among 120 Vietnamese colleagues: a total and highly enriching immersion, both in terms of management styles and work practices. Indeed, Vietnam, open to international trade since the 1980s, now offers a particularly welcoming environment for foreign professionals. Approaching 40, Christophe Cougnaud is already involved in networks such as the Chamber of Commerce, the embassy, ​​and academia, spheres that are usually accessed later in life in France, around the age of 50. For young law students, his career path sends a clear message: there are excellent opportunities abroad. Moreover, the rigor of French lawyers is highly sought after, especially since many Asian countries rely on French-inspired civil law. Partnerships between French and Vietnamese universities are multiplying, and Forvis Mazars welcomes students every year. Christophe Cougnaud himself teaches a course on construction law and infrastructure projects in two international business law master's programs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. An inspiring prospect for new generations ready to venture beyond borders.

Read the article on Christopher in Le Figaro