Setting up a foreign-invested (FDI) company in Vietnam
An FDI company is an enterprise with foreign investment capital, requiring an investment registration certificate before enterprise registration. We advise on business lines, ownership ratio and carry out the entire procedure.
What is a foreign-invested (FDI) company?
It is an enterprise established in Vietnam with capital contributed by foreign investors. Unlike a domestic-capital company, an FDI company first needs an investment registration certificate (IRC), then an enterprise registration certificate (ERC).
Who should set up an FDI company?
Suitable for foreign individuals or organisations wishing to invest and do business directly in Vietnam, control operations and own contributed capital in the enterprise under permitted business lines.
FDI company formation process
- Advise on business lines, ownership ratio and investment conditions.
- Prepare documents and obtain the investment registration certificate (IRC).
- Register the enterprise and obtain the enterprise registration certificate (ERC).
- Engrave the seal, register for tax and open an investment capital account.
- Complete post-establishment procedures according to the business lines.
Documents to prepare
- Passport/legal documents of the investor (individual or organisation).
- Documents proving financial capacity.
- Lease contract for the head-office address in Vietnam.
- Documents on business lines, investment capital and the business plan.
Timeline and fees
Standard timing includes about 15 working days for the investment registration certificate and a few days for enterprise registration, depending on the business line. The fees and timelines above are for reference only and may change under current regulations.
Legal basis
FDI company formation follows the Investment Law No. 143/2025/QH15 (effective 1 March 2026, replacing Investment Law No. 61/2020/QH14) and the Enterprise Law No. 59/2020/QH14 (amended and supplemented by Law No. 03/2022/QH15 and Law No. 76/2025/QH15) and related guiding documents.
Frequently asked questions about FDI companies
What is the minimum capital for an FDI company?
The law sets no general minimum capital for most business lines, but capital must match the project scale and some conditional lines have capital requirements. This is for reference.
Which comes first: investment or enterprise registration?
For an FDI company, the investment registration certificate (IRC) is usually obtained first, then the enterprise registration certificate (ERC).
Does the investor need to be in Vietnam during the procedure?
Continuous presence is not required; many steps can be done by authorisation. Depending on the case, some procedures may need the investor to handle them directly.
Need to set up an FDI company?
Send us your business lines and capital structure, and we will advise on investment conditions and a procedure roadmap.
Contact us