[Webinar recap] Business setup in Vietnam: What to know before you start?
On 29 October, Forvis Mazars Vietnam hosted a focused webinar on "Business setup in Vietnam: What to know before you start?", bringing together entrepreneurs, foreign investors and corporate executives exploring entry into the Vietnamese market. Led by experts from our Legal and Outsourcing teams, the session delivered practical insights on regulatory requirements, structuring options and the key compliance steps that foreign-invested enterprises must navigate.
Key topics & practical considerations:
The webinar equipped participants with a clear understanding of Vietnam’s investment landscape and end-to-end setup process, covering essential themes such as:
- Foreign investment entry & market access assessment – Understanding Vietnam’s WTO and treaty commitments, sector classifications (non-conditional, conditional, restricted), and the regulatory checks required before proceeding.
- Commercial presence options for foreign investors – Comparing LLC/JSC structures, Branches, and Representative Offices, with guidance on which model best aligns with business activities and operational needs.
- FIE establishment process & timelines – Navigating the 2-3 month licensing journey (IRC, ERC, post-licensing tasks) and upcoming regulatory changes that may accelerate procedures for foreign-invested enterprises.
- Accounting, tax, and reporting compliance from day one – Clarifying statutory VAS requirements, IFRS/US GAAP conversion approaches, mandatory Chief Accountant rules, and essential tax/e-invoice setups for new entities.
- Banking requirements & capital management for FDI companies – Opening the Direct Investment Capital Account (DICA), managing operational accounts, and complying with State Bank of Vietnam rules on capital injections and offshore loans.
Our Experts
Dzung Dang Partner, Legal Services - Hanoi
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