Tips for Foreigners to Follow When Setting up Company in Vietnam

Tips for Foreigners to Follow When Setting up Company  in Vietnam

For an outsider to a nation like Vietnam which open doors profit for business, it is endeavoring to make a business to work and grab the opportunity. After settling in, the entrepreneur might wonder, "How difficult it is to set up company in Vietnam or how challenging the business environment is for operating and doing business in Vietnam when dealing with administrative procedures from registering investment, setting up the company, complying with periodic reporting and tax declarations?" If you are reading this and feel like this, you are not alone. After the first eagerness feeling of potential business to generate, the entrepreneur might wonder "How difficult it is to set up company in Vietnam."

As a spot with an ideal topographical position and copious work assets, and developing shopper market, Vietnam is progressively growing unequivocally, turning into a nation drawing in worldwide speculation among Southeast Asia nations. Foreign investors must conduct research on Vietnam's policies, investment incentives, legal requirements, and the process and procedures for establishing a business in order to carry out effective investment activities. If international investors are considering investing in Vietnam, this will provide some quick advice on the fundamental factors they should take into account.

A person with far off ethnicity or an association laid out under unfamiliar regulation could enlist speculation and direct business exercises in Vietnam. Unfamiliar financial backers are allowed to take part in any legitimate business, nonetheless, there are a few explicit enterprises that financial backers should meet the expected circumstances to have the option to enroll speculation. There are a few areas in Vietnam where foreign investors cannot do business due to national security concerns or the state's monopoly.

An investor who wants to start a business in Vietnam must get a certificate of investment registration from an authorization agency, according to Vietnam law. The Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) will typically be issued within 15 days of receiving a valid dossier for an investment project. However, it is essential to allocate sufficient time for the preparation of the necessary documents, such as the application, financial report, bank balance, and personal documents. Before being submitted, many of these documents require apostille, also known as notarization, legalization, and translation into Vietnamese.  

Vietnam regulation doesn't need a base money to set up a business, with the exception of restrictive venture or business lines. In any case, financial backers are obliged to contribute capital as per the timetable expressed in the IRC and that the public authority has the privilege to demand the financial backer to make sense of the marketable strategy agreeable to them in view of the proposed speculation capital. On the off chance that the financial backer can't contribute sufficient capital as per the serious time limit, the equipped authority might apply sanctions, including denial of the IRC or the financial backer needs to change the IRC to mirror the real commitment of venture. After receiving the IRC, the investor must then submit a request for an Enterprise Registration Certificate (IRC), which must be obtained within five days of the date of submission of a valid dossier in order for the business establishment to complete its establishment.

Now that the company has established itself in Vietnam, it can officially sign a lease agreement, hire staff, and engage in business transactions to purchase or sell goods or services. The documents must be signed and sealed to be legally binding. The next issue is how to obtain a seal. When an organization was managed by the Public Security authority, it was more difficult to have a seal created for it after it was established. Legislators and business experts have been discussing the possibility of completely removing the seal from legal documents in Vietnam because the signature of the legal representative is the most crucial element. Throughout the time, the once severe regulation overseeing the seal issuance has been relax. However, in Vietnam, the seal is still very important because it shows the official notice, such as the decision by the business's legal representative to end a labor contract, along with the signature of the representative. or an unmistakable endorsement of a company's participation in a transaction to hire a factory construction company. The investor has the right to use multiple seals, subject to the terms of the company charter. The venture should send a notification to the business enlistment office where its administrative center is situated for distribution on the Public Business Enrollment Entryway prior to utilizing, modifying, obliterating, or changing the quantity of seals. The seal can be utilized beginning the day the warning system has been done and the seal test has been transferred on the Public Business Enlistment Entrance for confirmation reason.

In most jurisdictions, with the exception of tax haven nations, the investor is required to pay close attention to their tax obligations during the business's initial operation. However, Vietnam is not included on the exemption list. Every business is required to provide a tax declaration. Consistently, the business should pay various duties and expenses, for example, permit charges (in light of enlisted sanction capital); Corporate Personal Duty (CIT) when the organization creates gain; declare and pay Value Added Tax (VAT) on behalf of an individual on goods or services sold. declare and pay Personal Income Tax (PIT), or, in some instances, export and import tax, and land tax.

The investment project reporting regime must also be fully adhered to by foreign investors in accordance with the law. These reports will be issued on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, or annually) regarding topics such as: compliance with tax payment obligations and periodic reporting to ensure timely implementation as prescribed will help the company avoid unnecessary risks such as administrative sanctions, business suspension, and penalties that could impact the business. implemented investment capital, business investment results, information on labor, employed foreign workers, and reports on environmental protection.

ANT Lawyers, the leading law firm in Vietnam, provides nationwide comprehensive legal services. The firm is made up of lawyers and attorneys who specialize in a variety of areas, such as investment law, labor law, corporate law, and other areas, and it provides clients with legal advice and representation. In addition to providing services that are professional and ethical, the company is committed to providing each client with the best possible solutions. ANT Lawyers Law Firm is a trusted partner for individuals and businesses in Vietnam.

Read More

Which Form of Investment – Set up Branch or Set up Company in Vietnam?

Foreign entities can set up company in Vietnam or set up branch offices in Vietnam to carry out business activities.

There are several main different aspects between opening a branch office or establishing a foreign owned company in Vietnam.

1.Conditions

-Permits for establishment of Vietnam-based branches of foreign enterprise shall each have a valid term of five years.

-Foreign enterprise must choose between establishing a 100% foreign capital enterprise or forming a joint-venture with domestic investor or company.

2.Certificate

-The Branch office needs to apply and obtain the operation license of a Branch;

-A foreign owned company will need to apply and obtain the investment certificate (“IC”) to operate in Vietnam.

3.Capital

-Optional, foreign entity will decide how much money to invest in branch. The allocation capital for branch is capital for the subordinate units.

-Mandatory, foreign entity will need to provide minimum capital as required by Vietnam Law in conditional investment area.

4.Obligation of owner

-For branch office in Vietnam, owner takes full responsibility;

-For company, owner takes responsibility within the capital contributed into the company in Vietnam;

5.Other matters

-For branch office setting up in Vietnam, the procedure is less complicated compared to those for the establishment of a 100% foreign owned company;  the branch office is able to carry out trading and some other activities as stipulated by Vietnam laws and the WTO commitments which Vietnam enters. The business lines of a branch have to be aligned with the business lines of the headquarter of the foreign entity.

-Setting up foreign owned company would be more complicated than the setting up of the branch office, however this form of investment has more flexibility and freedom as it is a stand alone Vietnam entity recognized under Vietnam laws.

ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam with English speaking lawyers, located in the business centers of Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City to provide convenient access to our clients. With highly professional staff and great experience in foreign investment, we would like to support you to establish company in Vietnam.

Read More

Why Investors Should Set up Business in Phu Quoc?

 Why Investors Should Set up Business in Phu Quoc?

The improvement in infrastructure system along with the preferential policies have stimulated investors to come to set up business in Phu Quoc and do company.

How to establish company in Vietnam

Phu Quoc, an island in Kien Giang of Vietnam is in the top of three islands having tourism potential in Southeast Asia comparable to Phuket in Thailand and Bali in Indonesia. Phu Quoc has become a magnet for attracting huge investment flows from foreign investors in the area of real estate, entertainment, casinos, restaurant or food and beverage service business.

Phu Quoc has temperate weather throughout the year. There are also fresh and friendly forest – sea ecology and the modern transport system on the island with international airport and international hospital. Moreover, many infrastructure projects and international schools are under construction, which are necessary and favorable conditions to invite and attract investors to the Pearl Island for doing business.

Capital inflows to Phu Quoc have really exploded after the “knots” in investment were removed. The new airport went into operation that can welcome larger aircraft and serve more flights, in which there are more international direct flights from China, Singapore, Russia and Cambodia. The 51km long radial route on the island has been basically completed; the road around the island and the branch roads are also being deployed. The power grid was pulled from the mainland to the island, replacing the very high cost gasoline power in the past.

The real estate and tourism consultants all agree that Phu Quoc fully convergent elements of an attractive beach for tourist with year-round sunshine, many beautiful beaches such as Long Beach, Truong Beach, Khem Beach and immense virgin forest. Moreover, Phu Quoc has a strategic location with just 1-2 hours flight to the key tourism markets in Southeast Asia.

Both investment and tourism in Phu Quoc have entered the acceleration phase. By the end of July 2015, Phu Quoc has attracted nearly 200 investment projects, including 136 projects that are being implemented in the area of over 5,100 ha with total registered capitals of 6.5 billion USD. Just one part of those projects become reality then it will make Phu Quoc to become a leading tourist destination in Vietnam, ahead of Da Nang and Nha Trang, competing with the top destinations in the area as Phuket and Bali.

Some of the largest Vietnam corporations such as Vingroup, Sun Group, CEO Group, BIM Group are implementing the huge projects that could alter the appearance of the island. In which the giant in real estate sector – Vingroup has invested projects as: Vinpearl Resort on an area of 300 ha in Long Beach, the combining of golf course and safari zoo on an area of more than 2,000 ha, and the 80 ha commercial complex.

The improvement in infrastructure system along with the preferential business and legal environments i.e. favourable land rental rates, corporate income tax, exemption of visa for foreign tourists make Phu Quoc island of Kien Giang, Vietnam a new attractive place for investment.

ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam could offer service to set-up company in Vietnam. We assist clients needing legal service in obtaining investment certificate, business registration certificate, or other  licensing procedures.

Read More

Which Judgement Enforcement Agencies that Enforce Arbitral Awards?

Which Judgement Enforcement Agencies that Enforce Arbitral Awards or Decisions of Arbitration Councils on the Application of Interim Urgent Measures?

Under Article 8 of Vietnam Law on Commercial Arbitration, judgement enforcement agencies for enforcement of arbitral awards or decisions of arbitration councils on the application of interim urgent measures as regulated as following:

Arbitral Award Enforcement Law Firm in Vietnam

Competent civil judgment enforcement agencies to enforce arbitral awards are civil judgment enforcement agencies of provinces or centrally run cities in which arbitration councils issue the awards.

Competent civil judgment enforcement agencies to enforce decisions of arbitration councils on the application of interim urgent measures are civil judgment enforcement agencies of provinces or centrally run cities in which the interim urgent measures need to be applied.

ANT Lawyers - Arbitral Award Enforcement Law Firm in Vietnam our trial lawyers with accreditation in national and international arbitration practice could help providing legal advice in disputed matters, and guide the clients through out the process. The lawyers could also advise the clients on various matters from choice of arbitrator, choice of arbitration rules, ad-hoc or institutional arbitration, place of arbitration, enforcement of arbitral award.

ANT Lawyers – as a law firm in Vietnam always follow up the enforce arbitral awards cases and their development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More

English Speaking Law Firm in Hanoi

 ANT Lawyers, the English speaking law firm in Hanoi is located in the business center that provides convenient access to our clients.

English speaking law firm in Hanoi

ANT Lawyers - Reliable law firm in Vietnam works with corporate and individual clients from across the sectors and offers a true spectrum of legal expertise, both contentious and non-contentious. The range of our experience enables us to advise on various matters from the precedent-setting to the purely procedural.

The common thread in everything we do is our ability to combine both commercial and legal perspectives. This means our clients can rest assured that, whatever the case or transaction, our lawyers have the experience to deliver legal advice and service that works in a commercial context.

Our English speaking lawyers at Hanoi office offer client with particular services that guide clients throughout investment, commercial transaction, M&A, civil transaction, property sales and purchase, IP registration, and dispute resolution procedures.

Please contact us to book your time in advanced to let us provide our best service.

Call our office at +84 24 730 86 529, or talk to our partner directly at +84 912 817 823, send us email ant@antlawyers.vn or visit our English speaking law firm in Hanoi office at 5th Floor, Leadvisors Place, 41A Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

Let ANT Lawyers help your business in Vietnam.

Read More

How to Close a Business in Vietnam?

 How to Close a Business in Vietnam?

All corporations, companies, partnerships, branch offices, representative offices and other business entities are legal entities in Vietnam which can only be dissolved through formal procedures.

I. What are the major challenges with closing a business in Vietnam?

The main thing to remember throughout the process is that the dissolving company, a branch office or a representative office, one  should pay close attention to the involvement of all key stakeholders, i.e. the employees, customers, creditors, business partners and relevant authorities.

The following are key information to gather for thorough analysis

-Company size in terms of capital and number of employees?

-Enterprise’s business sector?

-Tax invoice usage declaration?

-Annual profit?

-Compliance with tax procedures?

-Administrative violations in the field of taxation?

-Any outstanding tax?

-Tax document filing records?

-Other tax matters?

II. What does the dissolution process involve?

Once an analysis has been through, the next procedures mostly deal with reporting and submitting the relevant documents to the various regulatories and tax authorities at each step of the process, terminating contracts, liquidating assets and settling liabilities, and general administrative work such as returning the corporate seal, registration certificates, and having the company’s name removed from the system of the license authorities.

III) How to prepare document to close a business in Vietnam?

1. Documents submitted to the licensing authority in Vietnam

-Liquidation notice of enterprise;

-Minutes of the meeting of Management Board/ Board of Directors decided on the dissolution of enterprises;

-The company’s decision on liquidation;

-Report on enterprise asset liquidation;

-The list of creditors and the paid debt;

-Documents evidencing that enterprise has fulfilled all of its tax;

-Confirmation on social insurance for employees after the dissolution decision;

-The seal and certificate of seal sample registration.

2. Documents submitted to the tax authority in Vietnam

-Liquidation notice of enterprise;

-Minutes of the meeting of Management Board/ Board of Directors decided on the dissolution of enterprises;

-The company’s decision on dissolution;

-Audit reports and tax settlements;

-The financial statements for the year to date the decision on dissolution;

-The company’s tax liabilities audited by tax authority;

-Verification of tax obligations of the enterprise. 

Closing a business in Vietnam might be a lengthy process and more complicated than setting up a company in Vietnam.  Sometimes, it is important to make a decision to exit and start a new venture.  As a law firm in Vietnam, we do assist clients to close the business, exit the investment and deal with pending issues with licensing authorities including department of planning and investment, department of labour, tax bureau and others.

Read More

Reliable Law Firm in Vietnam

ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam with offices in Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. We are an exclusive Vietnam law firm member of Prae Legal, a global law firm network spanning 5 continents and 150 countries through which we have built up relationship with lawyers from all parts of the world. This cooperation allow ANT Lawyers to handle cases involving matters of international nature involving foreigners.

Law Firm in Vietnam

ANT Lawyers, as a reliable English speaking law firm in Vietnam, we focus on providing possible solutions that best meet the needs of legal and business clients. We help customers achieve their goals while protecting their interests, minimizing risks, and complying with the law.

The law firm works with corporate and individual clients from across the sectors and offers a true spectrum of legal expertise, both contentious and non-contentious. Highly professional staff and great experience enables us to advise on various matters from the precedent-setting to the purely procedural.

The common thread in everything our law firm does is our ability to combine both commercial and legal perspectives. This means our clients can rest assured that, whatever the case or transaction, our lawyers at the law firm in Vietnam have the experience to deliver legal advice and service that works in a commercial context.

Our lawyers offer client with particular services that guide clients throughout investment, commercial transaction, M&A, civil transaction, property sales and purchase, IP registration, and dispute resolution procedures.

We help clients to overcome cultural barriers and achievie their strategic and financial results, anh in the meantime ensure best interest protection, risk minimization, and regulatory compliance.

Looking for a reliable local English speaking law firm in Vietnam for your business?

Tell us how we can be of service and one of our team members will contact you. Email: ant@antlawyers.vn, Tel: +84 28 730 86 529

Read More

How Vietnam Support Start-up Company in Vietnam?

Start-up company is a topic that is receiving much attention in Vietnam, especially in the context of the country’s strong integration with the world economy. Starting a business is expected to create economic growth, make a positive contribution to socio-economic development. From start-up ideas gradually appears startup businesses in Vietnam. Every year, Vietnam has hundreds of new businesses established, in which the number of small and medium enterprises account for the majority. Because they are small and medium-sized enterprises, it is inevitable to face great competitive pressure from large traditional enterprises as well as competitors.

The identification of small and medium enterprises is the basis for the State to have supportive policies to help enterprises face competitive pressure in the market. Criteria to determine small and medium enterprises include: field of operation, average number of employees participating in social insurance per year, total revenue or total capital of the enterprise.

Firstly, micro-enterprise in the field of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture; industry and construction that has an average annual number of employees who participate in social insurance not exceeding 10 people and the total revenue in the year not exceeding 3 billion VND or the total capital of the year is not more than 3 billion VND. Micro enterprises in the field of commerce and services employing no more than 10 employees per year on average with social insurance contributions and total annual revenue is not more than 10 billion VND or the year’s total capital is not more than 3 billion VND.

Second, small enterprise in the field of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture; industry and construction that has an average annual number of employees who participate in social insurance not exceeding 100 people, total revenue in the year not exceeding 50 billion VND or total capital of the year not exceeding 20 billion VND, except micro-enterprises. Small enterprises in the field of commerce and service that have an average annual number of employees who participate in social insurance no more than 50 employees total revenue in the year is not more than 100 billion VND or total capital of the year is not more than 30 billion VND, except micro enterprises.

Third, medium enterprise in the field of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture; industry and construction that has an average annual number of employees who participate in social insurance not exceeding 200 people, total revenue in the year not exceeding 200 billion VND or total capital of the year not exceeding 100 billion VND but not micro-enterprises and small enterprises. Medium enterprises in the field of commerce and service that have an average annual number of employees who participate in social insurance no more than 100 employees, total revenue in the year is not more than 300 billion VND or total capital of the year is not more than 100 billion VND but not micro enterprises and small enterprises.

Because there are a large number of enterprises in the Vietnamese market, the State has introduced policies to support small and medium enterprises such as technology support, information support, consulting support, supporting human resource development, supporting small and medium enterprises to transform from household businesses, small and medium enterprises to innovative start-ups, small and medium enterprises joining industry clusters, value chains. Small and medium enterprises play an increasingly important role in the economic development of countries around the world. With the ability to create business opportunities and effective jobs, this business model is increasingly encouraged to develop and receive support from state agencies to expand and develop this business model in Vietnam.

With highly professional staff and great experience in foreign investment, ANT Lawyers would like to support you to prepare before setting up company in Vietnam.

Read More

Working Session on the Trade Remedies Measures for Table and Chair products

 Working Session on the Trade Remedies Measures for Table and Chair products

On September 30, 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 1991/QD-BCT on the application of anti-dumping measures to some table and chair products originally from Malaysia and Republic of China (case number: AD16).

To learn the basis for considering the issue of the scope of goods subject to anti-dumping measures, the Trade Remedies Authority organizes a working session in person with related parties, at 14:00, on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 between Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam and related parties.

This will be the opportunities for the related parties to exchange and present their opinions on the scope of goods subject to anti-dumping measures.

Related parties who have opinions and concerns about the scope of goods subject to anti-dumping measures can register to participate in the working session.

In case the related parties register to speak at the meeting session, it is requested that the related party send their written opinions and related documents in advance.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers - Anti-dumping law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Read More

Network security services – Cybersecurity solutions in the new situation

Network security services – Cybersecurity solutions in the new situation

Information technology is existing in almost all areas of life, contributing to increasing work efficiency, saving time and costs. Besides these advantages, users also face many risks from loss, leakage of personal data, and organizational information and invasion of privacy when accessing the network. Therefore, network security service has becoming a necessary solution. Accordingly, Vietnam Ministry of Public Security proposed to consider cybersecurity protection services as business lines which are subject to conditions in the Vietnam Investment Law.

 Personal data security lawyers in Vietnam

According to statistics in 2021, the Ministry of Public Security has recorded and analyzed nearly eight million warnings related to cyberattack activities, thereby detecting and verifying 2,763 cyberattacks targeting portal sites in the country (up 26% compared to 2020). In addition, cyberattacks tend to increase, causing political influence and greater economic losses. In addition, the situation of illegally collecting and infiltrating information and data of organizations and individuals for illegal purpose are increasingly complicated. The participation of network security services will contribute to strengthening the protection of the network security environment, especially important economic organizations such as banks, securities, state agencies, which are organizations that have vital role of the country.

On the other hand, the development of network security services is in line with the development policy of the country. Specifically, in Resolution No. 30 of the Politburo on the National Cybersecurity Strategy, the ultimate goal has been determined to reduce the risk of national security and social order and safety being compromised. Moreover, the Government has also issued Resolution No. 22 on the action plan to ensure national cybersecurity. Accordingly, the Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for formulating a Decree stipulating conditions for trading in cybersecurity products and services. Therefore, making network security services a business line is consistent with the current context and development orientation.

In addition, approving network security services will guide specific regulations and conditions for businesses. Businesses and organizations and individuals providing cybersecurity products and services will need to actively comply with regulations. The business conditions for network security services will ensure that network security products and services to be provided by reputable and capable service providers. Accordingly, improving policies and laws and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of information, communication and network security will be a solid basis for cybersecurity services to demonstrate their functions and roles its important role in the overall development of the country.

Moreover, developing quality and effective cybersecurity services will create more opportunities and attract more foreign investors to participate in the Vietnam market. Most business activities now have involved the Internet connection, and therefore the risks such as information security and data security will be an issue of concern to investors making investment, setting up company in Vietnam. If network security services that support risk reduction and data recovery to help run business well, it will create confidence and motivation for investors.

The Ministry of Public Security expects network security products and services to include: (i) Confidential products to collect information (devices where hardware and software have the function of collecting information, documents, and data) via cyber – spyware; (ii) Security control products for network traffic (in which specialized hardware and software equipment for competent state agencies are designed with specific features to protect targets, systems, etc.) information system to warn, detect and prevent cyber security violations; (iii) Network security monitoring services, network security testing, knowledge training, network consulting, standards assessment. These are services and products that have practical applications and are capable of meeting the needs of individuals and organizations using cyberspace.

Therefore, although cybersecurity services have not yet been officially approved, in the current context, network security services will be an effective solution to work with the Government to build a digital environment and develop digital technology secure and sustainable information technology in line with the speed of global development. It is expected that when cyber security services are specified, it will promote a healthy, safe and effective cyber environment and hence promote the business and investment in Vietnam.

ANT Lawyers is a network security law firm in Vietnam located in the business centers of Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh city. We provide convenient access to our clients. Please contact our lawyers in Vietnam for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at +84 28 730 86 529.

Source ANT Lawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/library/network-security-services-cybersecurity-solutions-in-the-new-situation.html

Read More