Company Registration in Vietnam

Registration does not require a trip: we translate the founder's documents into Vietnamese, have them notarised and file under a power of attorney. Since 11 September 2026, Vietnam accepts documents from Apostille Convention countries with an apostille, so consular legalisation is no longer needed for them.

The legal representative will need to come to Vietnam: by law they must reside there, and they open the bank accounts in person and receive the work permit and TRC. If nobody plans to relocate, we can provide a local director as a separate service.

There are three packages: Start at US$1,800, Corporate at US$4,200 and Full service at US$6,100. Government fees are included, and Start already covers a registered address for the first year.

Corporate adds a 2-year work permit and TRC for the director and VAS accounting setup. Full service adds the DICA, an operating account with a local bank, a fintech account and capital contribution tracking. See the package comparison.

If your business line is open to foreign investors, the ERC takes from 12 days: about 3 working days for translation and notarisation, then 3 working days for registration itself. Conditional business lines need the IRC first, which the law allows 15 working days to issue, and the whole project takes 1.5-2 months.

The company can accept payments once the accounts are open: a bank takes 1-2 weeks after registration, a fintech 3-10 days. The director's work permit and TRC take about 2 months. See the step-by-step breakdown above.

Yes, if your business line is open to foreign capital. Some business lines are conditional, such as domestic trading, advertising and parts of logistics. These need additional licences and sometimes a local partner.

We check your business line before filing. If it is closed to foreign investors, we will go through the options in a consultation. Holding shares in a local person's name on your behalf is not an option: it has been expressly banned since 23 July 2026, and companies must disclose their beneficial owners.

The ERC is the Enterprise Registration Certificate, which also gives the company its tax code. The IRC is the Investment Registration Certificate, which approves a foreign investor's project.

Since 1 March 2026, the ERC can come first if the business line meets the market access conditions. The IRC must then be obtained within 12 months, and the project cannot start until it is. Banks accept capital into the DICA only on the basis of the IRC, so we usually obtain both certificates back to back.

For most business lines there is no legal minimum, but the amount must match the project plan: the authority may reject a low figure for the stated turnover. The IRC application needs a bank statement showing a balance at least equal to the charter capital.

The capital is paid in within 90 days of the ERC by transfer from abroad to the DICA.

You need a Vietnamese bank account in any case, because capital comes in and profits leave only through the DICA. The operating account for salaries, taxes and local suppliers is easiest to open at the same bank; we work with Vietcombank, BIDV and VietinBank. The legal representative visits the bank in person.

Airwallex or Payoneer open within 3-10 days and are useful for payments from overseas clients, but they do not replace the DICA. See the account section.

The standard rate is 20%. New projects in priority sectors such as software production, high tech and R&D qualify for a 10% rate and tax holidays. Losses can be carried forward for 5 years, and expenses of VND 5m or more are deductible only with an e-invoice and payment by bank transfer.

The industrial zone location incentive was removed from 1 October 2025, and the reduced 15% and 17% small-business rates do not apply to subsidiaries of groups that fail the conditions. See the tax section.

Profits can be transferred to the shareholder after the annual accounts are audited, the final CIT return is filed and all taxes are paid. The transfer goes through the DICA, with 7 working days notice to the tax office. Transfers are not allowed while the company has accumulated losses.

Dividends paid to a foreign corporate shareholder are not taxed, while a foreign individual pays 5%.

Yes. An audit is required for every foreign-invested company, even with no turnover, and quarterly tax returns must be filed regardless. A late tax return can cost up to VND 25m in fines, and without an audit the company cannot send profits abroad. Without transactions, the audit is quicker and cheaper.

Most likely yes, depending on your tax residence. Vietnam withholds 5% on dividends to individuals, and this can usually be credited in your country of residence if there is a double tax treaty between the two countries.

Many countries have controlled foreign company (CFC) rules: you may have to declare your stake in a foreign company, and its undistributed profits may be taxed even without dividends. It is best to review the structure with a tax adviser in your country before registering.

Each year the company renews its registered address, keeps VAS accounts, files quarterly tax returns and investment reports and goes through an audit. Accounting and audit fees depend on the volume of transactions, so we give an exact figure after a short call about your business.

We do this before you pay for registration, so you can see your costs for the first two years. The compliance calendar is above.