Registering Your Company Step by Step
The exact process, documents, and timeline to register a 100% foreign-owned LLC in Vietnam.
Registering Your Company Step by Step
The registration process for a foreign-owned LLC in Vietnam involves two main certificates. Here is the realistic timeline and what each step actually involves.
Step 1 — Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)
Issued by the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI). This is your permission to invest in Vietnam.
- Submit: business plan, passport copies, proof of capital, proposed business address
- Timeline: 15 working days (often longer in practice)
- Cost: ~$100 state fee
Step 2 — Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
Issued after the IRC. This is your actual company registration — equivalent to a company number / articles of incorporation.
- Timeline: 3–5 working days after IRC
- Cost: ~$50 state fee
Step 3 — Post-Registration Essentials
| Task | Who does it | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Company seal (con dấu) | Approved provider | 1–2 days |
| Tax registration & tax code | Tax authority | 5–10 days |
| Bank account opening | You + your lawyer | 1–2 weeks |
| Capital contribution | Transfer from abroad | Within 90 days of ERC |
| VAT registration | Tax authority | After bank account |
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Technically no — but practically yes. A good bilingual lawyer in Vietnam charges $1,500–$3,000 for the full registration and will save you weeks of confusion, wrong forms, and rejected applications. Recommended firms for foreigners: Tilleke & Gibbins, LNT & Partners, Indochine Counsel, or many boutique firms specializing in FDI setup.
Realistic timeline from zero to operational company: 6–10 weeks, assuming no complications with your business sector (some sectors require additional licenses).