FOREIGN‑OWNED BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT SERVICES (2026): SETTING UP A FOREIGN-INVESTED TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER
Technology skills are no longer optional in Vietnam’s business environment. From coding and artificial intelligence to data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital transformation and automation, companies are increasingly looking for practical training solutions that can help employees and learners keep pace with a fast-changing digital economy.
This demand has opened a promising opportunity for foreign investors who wish to establish a technology training center in Vietnam. A foreign-invested technology training center may provide short-term courses in programming, AI tools, data analysis, web development, software testing, cybersecurity basics, digital product design, office technology skills, robotics, STEM, digital transformation, or corporate technology training.
However, from a legal perspective, setting up a technology training center in Vietnam is not merely a matter of leasing classrooms and hiring instructors. The investor must first determine whether the proposed business model will be treated as a short-term training and retraining institution, a vocational education establishment, an online education platform, a software-based learning service, or a combination of different regulated activities.
This distinction is important because foreign investment in education and training is subject to specific rules under Vietnamese law. Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP regulates foreign cooperation and investment in education, including foreign-invested educational institutions, while Decree No. 124/2024/ND-CP amends and supplements several provisions of Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP. The current investment framework is also affected by the Law on Investment No. 143/2025/QH15, effective from 1 March 2026, and Decree No. 96/2026/ND-CP guiding the Law on Investment, effective from 31 March 2026.
Prospective clients seeking assistance with procedures for setting up a technology training center 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
I. UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL MODEL OF A TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER IN VIETNAM
Before preparing incorporation documents, foreign investors should first answer one practical question: what exactly will the center teach, to whom, and under what legal format?
A technology training center may provide services such as:
- Programming and coding courses;
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning training;
- Data analytics and business intelligence training;
- Web and mobile application development courses;
- Software testing and quality assurance training;
- Cloud computing and system administration training;
- Cybersecurity awareness and basic cybersecurity training;
- STEM, robotics and creative technology courses;
- Digital transformation training for enterprises;
- Corporate technology skills training;
- Short-term IT skills courses for students, employees or business owners.
In many cases, a technology training center that provides short-term, non-degree, skills-based courses may be considered a foreign-invested short-term training and retraining institution. Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP recognizes “short-term training and retraining institutions” as one type of foreign-invested educational institution in Vietnam. The name of such an institution must also reflect the phrase “education center” or “training center”, the principal training field, and its own proper name.
However, not every technology training project should automatically be treated in the same way. If the investor intends to provide formal vocational training, issue vocational certificates, operate a vocational education institution, or train learners under official vocational qualification levels, the project may fall under the legal framework for vocational education rather than ordinary short-term training.
Similarly, if the business mainly develops an online learning platform, learning management software, AI-based education tools or a marketplace connecting trainers and learners, the project may involve not only education regulations but also information technology, e-commerce, cybersecurity, data protection and online service compliance.
Therefore, foreign investors should avoid using a broad description such as “technology training services” without clarifying the actual operation. A carefully drafted investment scope will help reduce licensing risks and avoid later amendments when the center begins to recruit students or sign training contracts.
II. CAN FOREIGN INVESTORS SET UP A TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER IN VIETNAM?
Foreign investors may invest in education and training activities in Vietnam, provided that the proposed activities comply with Vietnamese law and applicable international commitments. Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP provides that foreign organizations and individuals are permitted to cooperate and invest in education in accordance with Vietnamese law and international treaties to which Vietnam is a member, except for training sectors related to national security, defense, politics and religion.
Under Vietnam’s investment regime, foreign investors must review whether their proposed business line is subject to market access restrictions. The Law on Investment 2025 defines market access conditions for foreign investors as conditions applicable to investment in sectors included in the list of sectors with restricted market access. The law also maintains the principle that the State recognizes and protects investors’ lawful assets, capital, income and other legitimate rights and interests.
For a short-term technology training center, foreign investment is generally feasible in practice, subject to a proper review of the exact training model, investor nationality, curriculum, certificates, location, instructors, facilities and whether the center will provide formal vocational education.
A simple coding bootcamp for working adults may follow a different legal pathway from a vocational school. A corporate training center may be assessed differently from a children’s STEM center. An online academy may raise different questions from a physical training center with classrooms and labs.
For this reason, the feasibility of a 100% foreign-owned technology training center should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis before submitting the investment registration dossier.
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.
III. WHY THE TRAINING MODEL MATTERS
Many foreign investors describe their project as a “technology training center”, but the licensing authority will usually look deeper into the substance of the operation.
Short-term technology training center
This is often the most practical model for coding courses, AI workshops, data analytics programs, cybersecurity awareness courses, digital transformation training or corporate IT training. The center does not issue formal degrees and usually provides certificates of course completion.
Vocational education establishment
If the center provides vocational training under official vocational levels, issues vocational certificates or operates like a vocational education institution, the investor should review the legal framework on vocational education. Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP expressly states that it does not apply to foreign cooperation and investment in vocational education.
Online technology education platform
If the investor provides an online learning platform, app-based learning system, self-paced digital courses or technology-enabled education service, the business model may involve additional issues such as e-commerce registration or notification, data processing, online payment, intellectual property, platform terms of use and consumer protection.
International certificate training center
If the center uses foreign curricula, foreign certificates, foreign brands or international technology certification programs, the investor should review the legal right to use such curriculum, brand name, teaching materials and certification structure in Vietnam. Decree No. 124/2024/ND-CP introduced updated requirements for foreign training programs implemented in Vietnam, including requirements related to foreign higher education programs and quality recognition or accreditation, depending on the type of program.
This distinction matters because an unclear business model may lead to licensing delays, repeated explanations to authorities, amendments to project objectives, or compliance risks after establishment.
IV. KEY CONDITIONS FOR SETTING UP A FOREIGN-INVESTED TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER
A foreign-invested technology training center must be planned not only as a business project but also as an educational operation. Investors should pay attention to the following conditions.
Investment capital
For a foreign-invested short-term training and retraining institution, Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP provides that the investment rate must be at least VND 20 million per student, excluding land-use costs. The minimum total investment capital is calculated based on the expected maximum training scale at a given time.
For example, if the center expects to train 100 learners at the same time, the investor should prepare a capital plan that is consistent with that scale. An unrealistically high student capacity with insufficient capital may create difficulties during project appraisal.
Facilities and training equipment
A technology training center should have suitable classrooms, teaching equipment, desks, lighting, learning space, offices, teacher rooms, libraries or relevant functional rooms. For short-term training and retraining institutions, the average learning and teaching area must be at least 2.5 square meters per learner.
For technology training, investors should also prepare practical facilities such as computers, internet systems, projectors, software licenses, training labs, cloud accounts, cybersecurity safeguards, backup systems and secure storage for learner data.
Curriculum and training content
The training program should clearly state the course objectives, training duration, modules, teaching method, assessment method, completion requirements and certificate format. Educational content must not harm national defense, national security, public interests, Vietnamese culture, ethics or fine traditions, and must not propagate religion or distort history.
For technology training centers, the curriculum should be practical and transparent. For instance, an “AI course” should clarify whether it teaches basic AI literacy, machine learning coding, prompt engineering, data analytics, automation tools or enterprise AI transformation.
Teachers and instructors
Teachers of a short-term training and retraining institution must have at least college-level qualifications or equivalent qualifications in a discipline relevant to their assigned teaching area. The converted student-teacher ratio must not exceed 25 students per teacher.
For technology courses, investors should prepare documents proving the instructors’ professional capacity, such as degrees, professional certificates, work experience, teaching experience, technology project experience and labor or service contracts.
Data protection and online learning compliance
Technology training centers often collect and process learner data, including names, phone numbers, email addresses, payment information, test results, learning progress, login data and sometimes information relating to minors. If the center operates an online learning platform, the volume and sensitivity of data may be even greater.
Therefore, the center should prepare internal policies on data collection, learner consent, account management, access authorization, data retention, cybersecurity incidents, cross-border data transfer and deletion of personal data when no longer required.
V. PROCEDURE FOR SETTING UP A FOREIGN-INVESTED TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER
The actual procedure may vary depending on the investor, location, curriculum and legal classification of the training activities. In general, the establishment process may include the following stages.
Step 1: Review the business model and market access conditions
Before submitting any application, the investor should determine whether the project is:
- A short-term technology training center;
- A vocational education establishment;
- A corporate technology training service provider;
- An online learning platform;
- A software-based education service provider;
- A children’s STEM or robotics center;
- A mixed model involving both training and technology services.
This review will determine the project objectives, business lines, licensing pathway and whether any specialized approval is required.
Step 2: Apply for an Investment Registration Certificate
A foreign investor normally needs to obtain an Investment Registration Certificate before establishing the Vietnamese company. The dossier should describe the investor, investment capital, project objectives, location, training scale, implementation schedule and financial capacity.
For projects establishing foreign-invested short-term training and retraining institutions, the investment registration authority may need to collect appraisal opinions from the local Department of Education and Training. Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP provides that, for projects establishing short-term training and retraining institutions, preschool education institutions or general education institutions, the investment registration authority must seek appraisal opinions from the Department of Education and Training.
Step 3: Establish the Vietnamese enterprise
After obtaining the Investment Registration Certificate, the investor proceeds with enterprise registration and obtains the Enterprise Registration Certificate. This gives the company legal entity status in Vietnam and records key corporate information such as company name, registered address, charter capital, legal representative and enterprise code.
However, company incorporation does not automatically mean that the center may immediately recruit learners or organize classes. The investor must still ensure that the training center satisfies the applicable education conditions and operating requirements.
Step 4: Prepare operational conditions
Before operating, the investor should prepare:
- Training location documents;
- Lease agreement or proof of lawful use of premises;
- Classroom and lab layout;
- Equipment list;
- Curriculum and course descriptions;
- Instructor list and qualifications;
- Internal operating regulations;
- Tuition fee policy;
- Enrollment rules;
- Learner assessment policy;
- Certificate template;
- Data protection and learner privacy policy;
- Fire safety, labor and tax compliance documents where applicable.
Step 5: Education operation approval or compliance confirmation
Under the traditional framework of Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP, foreign-invested educational institutions were required to satisfy conditions on establishment and educational operation. Recent administrative reform measures under Resolution No. 23/2026/NQ-CP indicate a policy direction to cut, simplify and decentralize certain administrative procedures under the management of the Ministry of Education and Training, including procedures relating to foreign-invested educational institutions.
Because the implementation of these simplification measures may depend on subsequent legal instruments and local practice, investors should check the filing requirements at the time of submission with the competent local authority. In practice, the safer approach is to prepare the full set of operating documents and evidence of compliance, even where procedures are simplified.
Step 6: Complete post-establishment procedures
After establishment and before full operation, the company should complete:
- Capital contribution through the direct investment capital account;
- Tax registration and accounting setup;
- Digital signature registration;
- E-invoice registration;
- Labor contracts with employees and instructors;
- Work permits or work permit exemptions for foreign employees, if applicable;
- Internal training regulations;
- Public disclosure of courses, fees and learner policies;
- Recordkeeping for learners and training activities;
- Periodic reporting obligations, where applicable.
Prospective clients seeking assistance with procedures for setting up a technology training center 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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