Set Up Company in Vietnam: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Vietnam has become an attractive destination for foreign investors thanks to its growing economy, expanding consumer market, and strategic position in Southeast Asia. However, investors need to understand the legal procedures before they set up company in Vietnam.

1. Choose a Business Structure
Foreign investors commonly establish either a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Joint Stock Company (JSC).
An LLC is suitable for businesses with one or a limited number of owners and offers a relatively simple management structure. A JSC is more appropriate for businesses that may have multiple shareholders or plan to raise capital through shares.
The appropriate structure depends on the company's ownership, investment plans, and long-term objectives.

2. Check Foreign Investment Conditions
Before establishing a company, investors should identify the proposed business activities and check whether they are open to foreign investment.
Some industries may have conditions relating to foreign ownership, licenses, investment forms, or other regulatory requirements. Therefore, checking market-access conditions before preparing the application is an important step.

3. Prepare the Investment Documents
Foreign investors generally need to prepare documents relating to the investor, proposed business activities, investment capital, company location, and financial capacity.
Documents issued outside Vietnam may need to be notarized, consularly legalized, and translated into Vietnamese, depending on the document and applicable requirements.
A suitable business address should also be arranged before the registration process.

4. Obtain Investment Registration
Depending on the project, a foreign investor may need to obtain an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC).
The application normally includes information about the investor and investment project. Projects subject to investment policy approval may require an additional procedure before the relevant investment registration stage.

5. Obtain the Enterprise Registration Certificate
After completing the applicable investment registration procedure, the investor can proceed with enterprise registration.
The Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) establishes the company as a legal entity and records important information such as the company name, registered address, charter capital, business lines, and legal representative.

6. Complete Post-Registration Procedures
After receiving the ERC, the company may need to complete additional procedures, including setting up a corporate bank account, direct investment capital account where applicable, digital signature, electronic invoices, accounting systems, and corporate seal arrangements.
Certain industries may also require additional business licenses before commercial operations begin.

Company Information
LHD Law Firm provides legal and investment consulting services for foreign investors establishing and operating businesses in Vietnam. The firm assists with investment registration, enterprise registration, business licensing, tax and compliance matters, and ongoing corporate legal support.

Website: https://en.luathongduc.com/

Address: 

+ HP Tower, 60 (Floor 7) Nguyen Van Thu Street, Tan Dinh Ward, HCM City, Viet Nam

+ Anh Minh Tower, 36 (Floor 4) Hoang Cau Street, O Cho Dua Ward, Ha Noi City, Viet Nam

+ No. 71 Ly Tu Trong Street, Thach Thang Ward, Da Nang City, Vietnam