Externships in Vietnam
Vietnam is the world’s 13th-most-populous country, and, since 2000, Vietnam’s economic growth rate has been among the highest in the world. Vietnam is a study in contrasts: a society at the crossroads between a traditional past and a rapidly modernizing economy that faces incredible wealth disparities, a legal system dominated by single-party government but trying to adapt to free trade and globalization, and the combination of thousands of years of Asian heritage modified by recent incursions from Europe and the US. There is much to challenge students in Vietnam, and much to make them feel welcome: warm people, delicious food, and a beautiful countryside.
One of USF’s longest-running international programs, the law school has a decade-long history of sending students to Vietnam. The program will begin with an orientation at Hanoi Law University from English-speaking Vietnamese law professors and lawyers on the legal system in Vietnam, including trips to legal and cultural institutions such as Ba Dinh Square, Duong Lam Ancient Village, and the Hoa Lo Prison.
The next seven weeks will be spent working in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City in international commercial law firms representing Vietnamese and overseas investors in contract, regulatory, intellectual property, trade, securities, and real property issues. English is used regularly in the workplace in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which makes navigating the country and work environments easier to manage.
Past placements have included Baker & McKenzie (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), Duane Morris, Mayer Brown, YKVN Lawyers and LNT Partners.