How to register a company in Vietnam – 2025 Guide
How to register a company in Vietnam – 2025 Guide
In 2025, company registration in Vietnam continues to attract foreign entrepreneurs, drawn by the nation’s dynamic economy and improving legal frameworks. This guide walks you step by step through how to start a business in Vietnam as a foreigner, covering foreign ownership rules Vietnam, legal requirements for starting a business in Vietnam, documents required for company registration in Vietnam, minimum capital to start business in Vietnam, and the typical timeline for completing the process.
1. Overview: Company Registration in Vietnam in 2025
Vietnam offers various entity types, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Joint Stock Companies, branches, and representative offices. For most foreign investors, the standard process is forming an LLC or foreign-invested enterprise, which involves two key stages:
1. Obtaining an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)
2. Applying for an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
This two-step framework is central to company registration in Vietnam and depends on preparation and compliance.
2. Foreign Ownership Rules in Vietnam
Foreign investors are generally permitted to establish 100% foreign owned companies in most sectors. Restrictions still apply in conditional sectors such as education, logistics, advertising, and healthcare – where a Vietnamese partner or sector-specific permitting may be necessary.
This flexibility means that starting a business in Vietnam as a foreigner often requires evaluating sector-specific ownership rules.
3. Legal Requirements for Starting a Business in Vietnam
3.1 Process Flow
• IRC: The first legal step, required for foreign investors, is obtaining the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) from the Department of Finance or relevant authority.
• ERC: Once the IRC is granted, you apply for the Enterprise Registration Certificate, which legally establishes the enterprise and registers it with the national registry.
• Post-registration tasks include digital signature setup, company seal creation, setting up bank accounts, capital contribution, tax registration, and compliance filings.
3.2 Digital Transformation
In 2025, the Enterprise Law mandates full digital submission via the National Business Registration Portal using digital signatures, dramatically speeding up procedures. Certificate issuance is now expected within 2 to 3 working days after a complete submission via the portal. From July 1, 2025, Vietnamese and eligible foreign individuals (with valid residence cards) can obtain VNeID e-ID accounts, required to use the portal.
4. Documents Required for Company Registration in Vietnam
It is required to prepare the documents for company registration in Vietnam under current 2025 standards:
• Business registration application (2025 form)
• Company charter (statutory documents)
• Shareholder/founder list
• IDs or passports of founders
• Proof of legal premises
For foreign-sourced documents: they must be notarized, legalized at a Vietnamese consulate, and officially translated into Vietnamese.
5. Timeline: How Long Does It Take to Register a Company in Vietnam?
The timeline for company registration depends on ownership type and sector:
• Foreign owned companies generally require 6–8 weeks: 4–6 weeks for IRC, 1–2 weeks for ERC, plus time for tax and banking setup. The total timelines can be up to 4 months for full LLC setup, especially in complex or regulated sectors
• In practice, total timelines may be 4-6 weeks in case of well-organized filings in non conditional sectors.
6. Minimum Capital to Start Business in Vietnam
Vietnam doesn’t impose a universal minimum capital. However, authorities expect declared capital to be realistic and adequate for operations.
Recommended thresholds:
• LLC / service businesses: USD5,000 – USD10,000
• Joint Stock Company: USD10,000 – USD50,000
• Regulated sectors (e.g., real estate, finance, training): hundreds of thousands to millions USD.
Key Takeaways for Foreign Investors
Vietnam’s 2025 business environment is dynamic, digitalised and increasingly attractive to foreign investors. The streamlined two-step registration framework and new e-ID system make the process more efficient than ever, but navigating ownership rules, document legalization and compliance requirements can still be complex.
That is why many entrepreneurs choose to work with experienced partners. ATA Services Vietnam provides end-to-end support for company registration, from preparing legal documents and securing IRC/ERC approvals to handling post-registration tasks such as tax setup, digital signatures and banking. With our guidance, you can save time, avoid costly mistakes and focus on growing your business.
With the right preparation and expert support, launching your company in Vietnam can be a smooth, confident step into one of Asia’s most promising markets.
