Set up a company in Vietnam as a foreign founder: cost, time and ownership
The usual company type for a foreign founder in Vietnam is the limited liability company with foreign investment. Foreign ownership: Subject to market access conditions for foreign investors, including ownership ratios, which vary by sector; no general percentage cap stated on the pages checked. Minimum capital: None stated. Government fee: VND 50,000 enterprise registration fee per filing (Circular 47/2019/TT-BTC); an older English page says online filing is free.
The limited liability company with foreign investment in Vietnam, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Investment certificate first | Foreign investors must hold an Investment Registration Certificate under the Law on Investment as part of the enterprise registration dossier. | dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn |
| Time (IRC) | The Investment Registration Certificate takes 15 days from receipt of a complete, valid dossier. | investvietnam.gov.vn |
| Time (ERC) | The business registration office reviews and issues the enterprise registration within 3 working days of receiving the dossier. | dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn |
| Government fee | Enterprise registration fees are set by Circular 47/2019/TT-BTC; the enterprise registration fee is VND 50,000 per filing. | dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn |
| Online fee (older page) | An older English page (Circular 130/2017) lists online filing on the National Business Registration Portal as free. | dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn |
| Online registration | Enterprise registration can be filed online via the National Business Registration Portal. | dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn |
| Registered local address | Founders must find and lease a head office location in Vietnam during setup. | investvietnam.gov.vn |
| Resident legal representative | The company must always have at least one legal representative residing in Vietnam. | investvietnam.gov.vn |
| Foreign ownership | Foreign investors face market access conditions, including the ratio of capital contribution or shares they may hold. | investvietnam.gov.vn |
| Corporate income tax | The standard corporate income tax rate is 20%. | investvietnam.gov.vn |
Questions founders ask about Vietnam
- Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Vietnam?
- Subject to market access conditions for foreign investors, including ownership ratios, which vary by sector; no general percentage cap stated on the pages checked.
- What is the minimum capital for a company in Vietnam?
- None stated.
- How much does it cost to register a company in Vietnam?
- VND 50,000 enterprise registration fee per filing (Circular 47/2019/TT-BTC); an older English page says online filing is free.
- How long does it take to register a company in Vietnam?
- IRC: 15 days from a complete dossier; ERC: 3 working days from receipt.
- Do I need a local director in Vietnam?
- Yes: at least one legal representative must reside in Vietnam.
- Can I register a company in Vietnam from abroad?
- Enterprise registration can be filed online on the National Business Registration Portal; IRC online filing not confirmed.
- What is the corporate tax rate in Vietnam?
- 20% standard rate (Foreign Investment Agency page, undated).
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To weigh the choice, read where to incorporate as a remote founder.
- Company type
- Limited liability company (công ty TNHH) with foreign investment: an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) then an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
- Foreign ownership
- Subject to market access conditions for foreign investors, including ownership ratios, which vary by sector; no general percentage cap stated on the pages checked
- Minimum capital
- None stated
- Government fee
- VND 50,000 enterprise registration fee per filing (Circular 47/2019/TT-BTC); an older English page says online filing is free
- Time to register
- IRC: 15 days from a complete dossier; ERC: 3 working days from receipt
- Local director
- Yes: at least one legal representative must reside in Vietnam
- Register from abroad
- Enterprise registration can be filed online on the National Business Registration Portal; IRC online filing not confirmed
- Corporate tax
- 20% standard rate (Foreign Investment Agency page, undated)
- Official page
- investvietnam.gov.vn
- Checked
Fees, capital rules and timings change. Check investvietnam.gov.vn before you register, and get a written quote from any agent you use. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.