What does the process for establishing a representative office of a foreign company in Vietnam entail? What conditions must a foreign company meet to open a representative office in Vietnam? Find out in this article.
Conditions for Establishing a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Vietnam
A foreign business entity may only be granted a Certificate of Operation for a Representative Office in Vietnam if it meets the following conditions:
The foreign business entity has been established and registered for business in accordance with the laws of a country that is a signatory to an international treaty to which Vietnam is a member, or is recognized by the laws of the respective country;
The foreign business entity has operated in the country of origin for at least one year from the date of its establishment or registration;
If the foreign business registration certificate specifies an operation term, the validity of the certificate must be at least one year from the date the application is submitted in Vietnam;
Scope of activities of the representative office: market research, trade promotion in Vietnam.
If the scope of activities of the representative office does not align with Vietnam’s commitments, or if the foreign business entity is not from a country or territory that is a party to an international treaty of which Vietnam is a member, the establishment of the representative office must be approved by the Minister or the Head of the equivalent regulatory agency overseeing the specialized sector (hereafter collectively referred to as the Minister of the relevant line ministry).
Documentation for Establishing a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Vietnam
An application form for the establishment of a representative office (Form MĐ-1 in the Appendix issued with Circular 11/2016/TT-BCT) signed by an authorized representative of the foreign company;
A copy of the Business Registration Certificate or equivalent documentation of the foreign business entity. This document must be certified by a diplomatic mission or consular office of Vietnam abroad or consular legalized in accordance with Vietnamese law;
Appointment letter for the head of the representative office of the foreign company;
Certified translation of the audited financial report or a document certifying tax or financial obligations for the most recent fiscal year or equivalent documents issued or certified by the competent authority where the foreign company is established, verifying the existence and operation of the foreign company in the most recent fiscal year;
Certified translation of the passport or identity card or citizen ID (if Vietnamese) or a copy of the passport (if a foreigner) of the head of the representative office.
Location documents for the proposed office include:
Certified copy of the office lease contract;
Certified copy of the Certificate of Land Use Rights of the lessor (if renting from a business, the Business Registration Certificate with real estate business function must also be provided).
In addition, the location of the foreign company’s representative office must comply with Vietnamese legal provisions regarding security, order, labor safety, and other conditions as prescribed by law.
Note: Unless specifically stipulated, all documents must be translated into Vietnamese and certified in accordance with Vietnamese law. All licensing documents for establishing the representative office must bear the signature and seal of the parent company.
Steps to Establish a Representative Office of a Foreign Company in Vietnam
Step 1: Issuance of License to Establish a Representative Office of a Foreign Company
Processing time: 7–10 business days;
Step 2: Round Seal Carving and Registration for the Representative Office of the Foreign Company
Processing time: 5 business days;
Step 3: Registration for Tax Code Notification of the Representative Office of the Foreign Company
Processing time: 5–7 business days.
Read more at:
- Detailed Guidelines for the Establishment of a Foreign Company Branch in Vietnam in 2025
- COMMON PITFALLS TO AVOID WHEN OPENING A COMPANY IN VIETNAM