Company Registration in Vietnam
Capital: Hanoi.
Official languages: Vietnamese.
Currency: Vietnamese Dong.
Vietnam is a rapidly developing economy in Southeast Asia. It is becoming an increasingly attractive place for business.
Benefits of Company Registration:
- Fast registration procedure.
- Flexibility in choosing a company legal form.
- Online Banking in English.
- Possibility of remote account opening.
Vietnam is a state in Southeast Asia, located on the Indochina Peninsula. It borders China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west.
Vietnam today is one of the fastest growing markets in Southeast Asia. Vietnam actively attracts foreign capital and investment to modernize the country's economy. For this purpose, the business registration process for foreigners has been greatly simplified in recent years.
Taxation and Reporting Features
Corporate Income Tax:
- Standard rate: 20%
- Incentives for high-tech and agricultural sectors
- Tax exemptions for certain business activities
VAT:
- Standard rate: 10%
- Reduced rate: 5% (essential goods)
- 0% for exports and international transport services
Dividends:
- 5% withholding tax for foreign investors
- Exemption for local investors
Company registration in Vietnam is managed by the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI). The business name, approved by the shareholders, must be registered and verified through this department.
To register a company, an application signed by the director is required, detailing the basic information about the company. This must be accompanied by a set of documents, including the company charter, application forms, copies of passports or IDs, and Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) of shareholders and directors.
After incorporation, the company details will be published in the National Business Registration Portal. Following registration, it is necessary to register with the tax and social insurance authorities.
At the time of registration, the company must have:
- A Tax Identification Number obtained from the tax authority — essential for tax filings and bank account setup.
- Company Charter certified by the business registration office or a notary.
- A bank statement confirming the deposit of the initial capital. It must specify the company name, shareholders, and their respective capital contributions.
- A receipt for the payment of the business registration fee.
Company Registration in Vietnam
- Limited liability
- Minimum 1 director / 1 shareholder
- Streamlined business setup

Company Registration in Vietnam
Additional information
- Financial reporting: Mandatory annually
- Audit: Required for all companies
- Annual Return: Within 42 days after the anniversary
- Tax filing: Corporate Income Tax Return to the authorities
- Employee's Return: If there are employees
- Registers: Shareholders and directors (mandatory)
- Directors' details Available in the public registry
- Shareholders' details Publicly accessible
- Financial reporting Confidential (not disclosed)
Timeline and Stages
- 01
Document preparation and name selection
1-2 days - 02
Name search in the Companies Registry
1 day - 03
Online or offline document submission
1 day - 04
Obtaining CI and Business Registration certificates
up to 1 week - 05
Opening a corporate bank account
2-4 weeks
Conclusion
The simplicity of registration and access to the large Asian market make Vietnam an attractive place to start a business. However, when choosing a jurisdiction for a company, it is necessary to consider not only current legislation but also possible future changes. Consult with IT-OFFSHORE lawyers to avoid potential legal consequences and ensure compliance with laws.
IT-OFFSHORE offers comprehensive support for your Vietnamese company at all stages - from registration to full support of its activities. We not only help legally formalize the company but also take on the solution of many subsequent tasks. In particular, our range of services includes maintaining accounting and tax records, providing a nominal director and shareholders, renting a legal address, obtaining all necessary licenses and permits for the company, etc. We practically ensure the full operation of the business in accordance with the laws of the specific jurisdiction.
Cost calculation
Add the required options for your company:
FAQ
Can you register a company remotely?
Yes, in most cases — you can.
Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.
The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.
This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.
The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.
What documents are needed for registration?
Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.
For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.
Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?
Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.
At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.
We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.
Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?
Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.
Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.
Is it possible to use nominee directors?
Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.
This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.
We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.