13 answers for owners and founders of a Vietnam company, from ordering to banking, annual compliance and what happens after incorporation. General information, not legal or tax advice; your specialist confirms how it applies to you.
In most cases, yes, since 11 September 2026, when the Apostille Convention entered into force for Vietnam. There are exceptions: Germany, Austria and Czechia objected to Vietnam's accession, so documents from those countries still need consular legalisation. We send you the right checklist for your country before you sign anything.
Source: Status table: Apostille Convention, Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
Yes. Documents issued abroad are filed with a Vietnamese translation, and the translation must be certified in Vietnam or by a Vietnamese mission. Names and passport numbers have to match exactly across every document. We arrange the translations once your originals arrive (confirm the exact form for your file with your specialist).
Source: Decree 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration, National Business Registration Portal, Vietnam
No. The package price pays for the set-up work and government fees. Charter capital is your own money, paid into the company's capital account in Vietnam after registration, and it stays with the company to fund its operations. Choose an amount that covers your first months of costs.
After the financial year closes, the accounts are audited and the corporate income tax for that year is finalised. Profits then leave through the direct investment capital account. Plan the audit early if you want to pay out soon after year-end (confirm the conditions with your specialist).
Source: Law on Investment No. 143/2025/QH15, Government of Vietnam, Official Gazette
The law lets the company decide the form and number of its seals, but in practice banks, landlords and many authorities still expect documents to be stamped. Most companies make one seal right after registration. We arrange it with the other post-licensing steps.
Source: Decree 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration, National Business Registration Portal, Vietnam
No separate application is needed for the tax code: the enterprise code on your registration certificate is also the company's tax code. You still set up a digital signature for online filing, register e-invoices and file the first tax returns on time. We set these up with your accountant after registration.
Source: Decree 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration, National Business Registration Portal, Vietnam
The Starter package for a limited liability company is US$1,199 for the first year. Costs from year 2 are quoted, because they depend on the accounting, tax filing, audit and registered address services your company needs. We send an itemised quote before the first anniversary.
Not directly. The direct investment capital account is for bringing in capital and sending out profits or capital, and money moves from it to an ordinary current account for day-to-day payments. Most companies open both at the same bank. The bank decides on each account.
The enterprise and investment registration certificates, the company charter, the legal representative's passport and residence details, and identity documents for the owners. Banks also ask how much capital will arrive, from which country and when. We prepare the file and introduce you; the bank decides.
Some will. Vietnam was on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring at the FATF update of June 2026, and it was added to the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes in the Council's update of 17 February 2026. Banks abroad may apply enhanced checks, and EU customers may ask about payments to a Vietnam company, so prepare clear source-of-funds and contract documents.
Source: Jurisdictions under increased monitoring, 19 June 2026, Financial Action Task Force (FATF); EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, Council conclusions of 17 February 2026, Council of the European Union
Corporate income tax at 20%, or at 15% or 17% for companies with small annual revenue. VAT applies to most sales, the company withholds personal income tax for its staff, and withholding tax applies to many payments to foreign suppliers. Incentives exist for some sectors and locations.
File the change with the business registration office within 10 days of the decision; the office has 3 working days to process a complete file. Some changes, such as a new investor or project details, also need the investment registration certificate amended. We prepare both sets of documents.
Source: Decree 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration, National Business Registration Portal, Vietnam
Plan for several months. The company must pay its debts and staff, finalise all taxes and close its tax code, end the investment project and then file for dissolution with the business registration office. The tax review is usually the slowest step (confirm the steps with your specialist).
Source: Decree 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration, National Business Registration Portal, Vietnam
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