How to open a company in Vietnam: Procedures, costs and important notes
APT LAW provides comprehensive guidance on how to open a company in Vietnam, including legal procedures, expected costs and important notes for domestic and international investors in 2025.
Establishing a company in Vietnam is the first step to legalize business activities, expand markets and build a professional brand. However, many individuals and businesses still have difficulty accessing the legal process, related costs, and factors that need to be kept in mind for smooth operations.
Procedures for opening a company in Vietnam
To establish a company, the registrant first needs to prepare legal documents including: Business registration application, company charter, list of members/shareholders (if any), copies of identification papers or passports of the legal representative and members. Applications will be submitted online via the National Business Registration Portal or directly at the Department of Planning and Investment.
After receiving the Business Registration Certificate, the business needs to engrave the seal, register the seal sample, open a bank account, submit a notice of invoice use and register for initial tax. The time to complete the entire procedure is usually 5–7 working days, if the documents are complete and not returned for supplementation.
Cost of establishing a company
The cost of opening a company in Vietnam depends on the type of business (Limited LLC, joint stock, etc.), location of operations and need to use legal support services. Fixed state fees include business registration fees (50,000 – 100,000 VND), seal engraving (300,000 – 500,000 VND) and business information disclosure fees (100,000 VND).
In addition, businesses may need costs for renting an office, purchasing digital signatures, electronic invoice software and initial accounting and legal services. The average total cost to establish and operate a company in the first month ranges from 5–15 million VND depending on the scale and field of activity.
Important notes when opening a company
One of the common mistakes when opening a company in Vietnam is choosing the wrong type of business or not clearly defining the appropriate business line. This can lead to difficulties in expanding operations, applying for sublicenses, or raising capital later. Therefore, you need to carefully consider your business goals and development strategy before registering.
In addition, failure to comply with tax, accounting and periodic reporting obligations can cause businesses to be subject to administrative sanctions or lose reputation in the eyes of partners. To ensure legal and effective operations, businesses should seek support from professional consulting units right from the document preparation stage.
Opening a company in Vietnam is not too complicated, but requires caution and certain legal understanding. Careful preparation of procedures, cost estimates and building a solid legal foundation will help businesses get off to a smooth start and develop sustainably in the market.
