Allen & Overy (A&O) is set to launch in Vietnam later this year, with the magic circle firm hiring Mayer Brown JSM’s country managing partner, Dao Nguyen, to lead two new offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The offices are expected to open in the third quarter of 2012 and will expand the firm’s reach to 42 offices across 29 countries. The practice will focus on energy, infrastructure and M&A.