FOREIGN BRANCH AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE SETUP SERVICES IN VIETNAM (2026): SETTING UP BRANCHES AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES FOR FOREIGN ENTITIES
As Vietnam continues to attract international investment and global business expansion, many foreign entities are seeking effective ways to establish a commercial presence in the country. Among the most common options are branches and representative offices, which allow foreign businesses to explore the market, promote commercial activities, and expand operations in Vietnam. However, each model comes with different legal requirements, operational scopes, and licensing procedures that investors should carefully understand before implementation.
Prospective clients seeking assistance with procedures for establishing branches and representative offices in Vietnam are kindly invited to contact Dai Quang Minh Law Firm via Hotline: 0932 191 299; Zalo: 0932 191 299; Email: info@quangminhlawfirm.com; Viber: (+84) 337 926 405; WhatsApp: (+84) 337 926 405; WeChat: (+84) 337 926 405 (ID: pouniverse) for complimentary consultation and comprehensive, efficient, and accurate legal services.
In addition, Dai Quang Minh Law Firm provides a wide range of services, including sub-licenses, business registration, investment, foreign labor, and ongoing legal advisory services for both domestic and foreign enterprises.
Contact:
- Zalo: 0932.191.299
- Gmail: info@quangminhlawfirm.com
- Viber: (+84) 337926405/ (+84) 869672216
- WhatsApp: (+84) 337926405/ (+84) 869672216
- Wechat: (+84) 337926405 (ID: _pouniverse)/ (+84) 869672216 (ID: DQM_Verna)
- Telegram: (+84) 337926405/ (+84) 869672216
Vietnamese law allows foreign business entities to establish branches and representative offices as a means of expanding their commercial presence in Vietnam. These forms of operation are governed by the Law on Commerce and relevant implementing regulations issued by the Government.
The licensing and management of branches and representative offices are handled by the competent local trade authorities. Once established, foreign business entities are fully responsible for all activities conducted by their branches and representative offices in accordance with Vietnamese law.
I. Branches
Unlike the representative office, branches of foreign business entities are allowed to conduct activities being the purchase and sale of goods and other commercial activities consistent with its license for establishment in accordance with the laws of Vietnam and any international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.
A branch of foreign business entities shall have the following rights and obligations:
- To rent offices and to lease or purchase the equipment and facilities necessary for the operation of the branch;
- To recruit Vietnamese and foreign employees to work for the branch in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
- To enter into contracts in Vietnam in accordance with the activities stated in the license for establishment of such branch and in accordance with this Law.
- To open Vietnamese Dong and foreign currency accounts at banks that are licensed to operate in Vietnam.
- To remit profits abroad in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
- To have a seal bearing the name of the branch in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
- To adopt the accounting system stipulated by the laws of Vietnam; where it is necessary to adopt a different commonly used accounting system, approval from the Ministry of Finance of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must be obtained.
- To report on the operations of the branch in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
II. Representative Offices
Representative offices of foreign business entities are not allowed (i) to directly conduct profit making activities in Vietnam except for carrying out commercial promotional activities within the scope permitted by its license and the law, (ii) to enter into commercial contracts of the foreign entity or to amend or supplement such contracts already signed except where the chief of representative office has a valid power of attorney from the foreign business entity. The representative offices of foreign business entities have the following rights and obligations:
- To operate strictly in accordance with the purposes, scope and duration stated in the license for establishment of such representative office.
- To rent offices and to lease or purchase the equipment and facilities necessary for the operation of the representative office.
- To recruit Vietnamese and foreign employees to work for the representative office in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
- To open accounts in foreign currency and in Vietnamese Dong sourced from foreign currency at banks that are licensed to operate in Vietnam, and to use such accounts solely for the operation of the representative office.
- To have a seal bearing the name of the representative office in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
- To pay taxes, fees and charges and to discharge other financial obligations in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
- To report on the operation of the representative office to a local department of trade in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
III. Conditions for Issuance of License for Establishment of Representative Office and Branch
Representative Offices
A foreign business entity that satisfies all of the following conditions shall be issued a license for establishment of a representative office in Vietnam:
- It is a business entity that is legally recognized by the law of the country or territory where such business entity was established or has business registration;
- It has been operating for at least 1 year as from the date on which it was legally established or obtained business registration in the country of such business entity.
A dossier of application for a representative office establishment permit comprises, among others, an application for representative office establishment permit, signed by the foreign trader’s competent representative; copies of the foreign trader’s business registration or papers of equivalent value certified by the competent authority of the locality where the foreign trader has been established; and an audited financial statement or other documents of equivalent value proving the actual existence and operation of the foreign trader on the latest fiscal year.
Branches
A foreign business entity that satisfies all of the following conditions shall be issued a license for establishment of a branch in Vietnam:
- It is a business entity that is legally recognized by the law of the country where such business entity was established or has business registration;
- It has been operating for at least 5 years as from the date on which it was legally established or obtained business registration.
A dossier of application for a branch establishment permit comprises, among others, an application for branch establishment permit signed by the foreign trader’s competent representative; a copy of the branch’s operation charter, clearly stating the scope of authorization for the branch’s head; and an audited financial statement or other documents of equivalent value proving the actual existence and operation of the foreign trader in the latest fiscal year.
IV. Term of Establishment License of Representative Office or Branch of Foreign Entity
A license for establishment of a representative office or branch of a foreign business entity in Vietnam shall have a duration of 5 years, but in the case where foreign law stipulates the duration of the business registration certificate of the foreign business entity, the duration may not exceed the residual term of such business registration certificate or certificate of equivalent validity of the foreign business entity.
Why choose Dai Quang Minh LawFirm
With years of practical experience in legal consulting, Dai Quang Minh Law Firm is a pioneer in corporate support services, specializing in fast and affordable company formation. Below are the reasons to choose business registration services at Dai Quang Minh Law Office:
Human Resources: Established in September 2009, with over 15 years of practical experience, Dai Quang Minh Law Firm brings together a team of lawyers and legal experts with long-standing expertise in private economic groups nationwide.
Consulting Policy: Clients are gifted a completely free legal consulting package when using services at Dai Quang Minh Law Firm.
Professionalism and Experience: Dai Quang Minh Law Firm has a workforce with in-depth knowledge of business formation, ensuring a swift and accurate consulting process.
Time-Saving: Using Dai Quang Minh Law Firm's services helps you save precious time as we handle the entire process and related procedures.
Legal Insight: Dai Quang Minh Law Firm ensures that all relevant legal regulations are strictly followed in accordance with the law.
Customization: Our consulting services are highly adaptable to your specific needs, allowing you to choose options suitable for your business.
Trusted Partner: Dai Quang Minh Law Firm has built a reputation for providing affordable business setup consulting to many enterprises and individuals nationwide.
Confidentiality Assurance: Dai Quang Minh Law Firm is committed to the absolute protection of your personal and business information.
Detailed Support: Dai Quang Minh Law Firm provides detailed advice and support regarding the process and requirements to help you better understand business formation.
Process Optimization: Our consulting helps optimize the business setup process, minimizing potential risks and difficulties.
Excellent Customer Experience: Dai Quang Minh Law Firm is dedicated to providing the best customer experience through professional advice and enthusiastic support.
Focus on Business Plans: By utilizing our registration services, you can focus on developing your business plans and core activities instead of worrying about legal procedures.
Prospective clients seeking assistance with procedures for establishing branches and representative offices in Vietnam are kindly invited to contact Dai Quang Minh Law Firm via Hotline: 0932 191 299; Zalo: 0932 191 299; Email: info@quangminhlawfirm.com; Viber: (+84) 337 926 405; WhatsApp: (+84) 337 926 405; WeChat: (+84) 337 926 405 (ID: pouniverse) for complimentary consultation and comprehensive, efficient, and accurate legal services.
In addition, Dai Quang Minh Law Firm provides a wide range of services, including sub-licenses, business registration, investment, foreign labor, and ongoing legal advisory services for both domestic and foreign enterprises.
Contact:
- Zalo: 0932.191.299
- Gmail: info@quangminhlawfirm.com
- Viber: (+84) 337926405/ (+84) 869672216
- WhatsApp: (+84) 337926405/ (+84) 869672216
- Wechat: (+84) 337926405 (ID: _pouniverse)/ (+84) 869672216 (ID: DQM_Verna)
- Telegram: (+84) 337926405/ (+84) 869672216
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