The basics
Under Vietnam’s Law on Investment 2025, foreign investors may establish an economic organisation before completing the investment registration certificate procedure, subject to the market-access conditions that apply to them.
Foreign investors must meet the market-access conditions for business lines restricted under Article 8 of the Law on Investment 2025.
Review your proposed activities against Article 8’s foreign-investor market-access conditions before choosing the structure.
Entity types
Foreign investors may establish a wholly foreign-owned LLC in sectors without foreign-investor market-access restrictions, subject to applicable business conditions.
A representative office may conduct liaison, market research and permitted promotion of business opportunities, but may not directly conduct profit-making business, collect sales revenue or issue sales invoices for such business. It may receive funds for its own operating expenses.
Documents
Registering an LLC in Vietnam typically needs:
The company must give a head-office address in Vietnam on its registration.
How it works
Quick answer: registration runs in three steps. Select a step for detail.
Stage 1 of 3
The registration authority checks the proposed company name when it reviews the enterprise registration application, under the rules now in force (Vietnam’s new Law on Investment took effect on 1 March 2026).
Stage 2 of 3
Within three working days after receipt, the business registration authority examines the validity of the dossier and issues the enterprise registration certificate if the dossier qualifies; otherwise it must notify the required amendments or its reasons for refusal.
Stage 3 of 3
Each enterprise receives a unique identification number generated by the national enterprise registration information system and recorded on its enterprise registration certificate; the number is used to fulfil tax obligations.
Additional licences or permits may be required.
Representative office
A representative office needs the following documents.
Parent-company documents: its business registration certificate or equivalent, plus the latest audited financial statements, confirmation of tax or financial obligations, or an equivalent document issued or certified by a competent authority or organisation proving its existence and operations in the latest financial year.
Appointment and premises documents: the parent’s appointment of the head of the representative office, the foreign head’s passport, and an MOU, lease or other evidence of lawful use of the premises, together with the location documents required by Article 28.
Describe the proposed liaison, market research and permitted promotion of the parent’s investment and business opportunities. The representative office may not directly conduct profit-making business or undertake prohibited sales promotions.
Taxes and costs
A foreign-invested company may be subject to CIT and VAT. After-tax profits distributed to a foreign corporate shareholder generally carry no additional Vietnamese dividend withholding tax. Individual investment income is generally taxed at 5%, subject to statutory exemptions.
Costs may include applicable registration and bank charges, plus annual accounting, audit and filing costs. Foreign-invested enterprises must have their annual financial statements audited and file them as required; there is no general annual enterprise-registration renewal. Collection and payment of the licence fee (lệ phí môn bài) ceased from 1 January 2026.
Why Hongda
Prepare the documents and coordinate the registration with one service team.
Serving foreign companies in China since 2007, with client relationships that go back to 2008.
Company setup, banking, tax, payroll and work permits coordinated by one team.
English-language project management with a China-based team in seven locations.
We confirm the scope before work begins and say which decisions rest with authorities or banks.
Client voices
Travis Perkins
David Finch BA ACMA CMIIA CAMA
Director of Group Business Risk & Assurance, Travis Perkins PLC
With Hongda since 2008
Travis Perkins PLC (a leading builders merchant in the UK) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2008 for accounting and professional services. Throughout this time, we have found the team at Hongda to be very helpful and professional in their dealings with us. We look forward to working with the company in the future.
Sound United
Jack Peng
Vice President, Asia Pacific, Sound United
With Hongda since 2013
Sound United (a leading designer and manufacturer of consumer audio products in the US) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2013. Moving one’s operations to China is not a small task, but Hongda’s expert services helped us set up a company and deal with tax issues so we could get on with growing our business in no time at all, and that’s why we continue to use them today.
Tulip Pacific Ltd.
Erik de Waard
Director, Tulip Pacific Ltd.
With Hongda since 2012
Tulip Pacific Ltd. (Business planning and interim financial management services) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2012. Hongda has helped us set up legal entities in China/HK and takes care of our annual company audits. They are the most efficient business service provider I have worked with to-date, and their professional advice has helped me better advise my own clients and provide greater value to my overall business.
Your team
Meet the three chief consultants at Hongda, including founder Angel Ho and co-founder Bobby Lee.
Chief Consultant, CEO
Founder of Hongda in 2007. Holds Chinese Tax Agent, IPA (Australia) and IFA (UK) certificates. Provides one-stop services covering market access, company establishment, financial settlement, financial and tax consultation, and human resources management.
Chief Consultant
Co-founder of Hongda. Many years of corporate legal consultancy and involvement in managing client enterprises. Familiar with tax, personnel and project management work across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Excellent English communication skills.
Chief Consultant
24 years in enterprise management, business development, and financial and tax compliance. Has provided financial and tax advisory services for hundreds of companies. In-depth learning and practical experience in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and International Taxation.
The enterprise registration certificate records the head-office address. Obtain confirmation for the specific premises you propose to use.
Foreign investors must satisfy the applicable market-access conditions for restricted business lines under Article 8. Check the intended activity before deciding the ownership structure.
Viet Nam’s Decree 219/2025 regulates foreign workers, including work-permit issuance and exemptions, and took effect on 7 August 2025.
The enterprise registration certificate records the enterprise’s name and identification number.
Contact our team
Share your plans, structure and timing. We confirm the scope with you before any work starts.
