Parent trader
The overseas entity must be validly established and able to evidence its activities.
Foreign-trader branch in Vietnam
Assess whether a branch of an overseas trader can conduct your planned Vietnam activities, then prepare the licence and operating records on the correct legal basis.
START WITH THE RIGHT ROUTE
Which kind of branch do you mean?
This service concerns a branch established in Vietnam by a foreign trader. It is different from a branch of a Vietnamese company that already has foreign-invested shareholders. The latter follows a different registration route. It is also distinct from a liaison-only representative office and a separately incorporated foreign-invested company.
First identify where the parent entity is incorporated, what contracts the Vietnam presence will perform, the intended goods or services and whether the relevant sector permits a foreign-trader branch.
KEY DECISIONS
Four conditions that shape the branch route
Five-year history
A foreign-trader branch generally requires at least five years of operation.
Remaining registration term
If the parent registration is fixed-term, check that at least one year remains.
Sector and scope
Assess Vietnam market access and whether the intended local activity may be carried on by a branch.
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Eligibility and market access
The foreign trader must be validly established or recognised under the law of its home jurisdiction and generally have operated for at least five years. Where its establishment record has a fixed term, at least one year should remain when applying. The proposed branch activities must align with the trader’s business and Vietnam’s market-access commitments or other applicable rules.
Some activities require sector-specific permissions, further authority consultation or a different investment structure. Premises and the proposed branch head should be reviewed before preparing the application.
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Documents and licence process
Prepare the prescribed application, foreign trader registration and financial evidence, branch head appointment and identity records, premises evidence and documents describing the proposed activities. Foreign-issued records may require legalisation and Vietnamese translation unless an exemption applies.
We map the authorised activities, reconcile names and dates across documents, coordinate signing, submit to the competent authority and address requests for clarification. Authority time limits run from a complete valid file; translation, legalisation and sector consultation add to the total project schedule.
HOW WE WORK
Operating after approval
Check the licence term, approved activities, branch name, address and head before opening. The branch needs the relevant tax, accounting, employment, seal, banking and periodic compliance arrangements. Changes to its licence particulars or the parent trader may require notification or amendment.
A branch cannot assume that every activity of the overseas parent may be carried on locally. Keep contracts, invoices and operational practice aligned with its approved scope.
A CLEAR SEQUENCE
From initial review to the next decision
- Identify the branch modelConfirm this is a foreign-trader branch, not a Vietnamese company branch.
- Test the parent trader and sectorReview parent operating history, sector access, premises and branch head.
- Prepare the licence dossierPrepare authenticated records, licence application and activity explanation.
- Activate post-licence operationsFollow the authority process, check the licence and coordinate tax and operating setup.
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
How we assist
Duong Tri Law assesses the model and sector, prepares a document and responsibility list, drafts and submits the application, follows authority feedback and coordinates the post-licence checklist. Fees are quoted after review of the parent records, sector and document formalities; official and third-party charges are identified separately.
BEFORE YOU FILE
Licence term, timetable and cost
The licence term and authority procedure are governed by the current branch rules and the parent trader’s remaining registration term. Total time also includes document preparation, legalisation, translation and any sector consultation.
Authority phase
Measure the published processing period from a complete valid file.
Parent records
Allow time to obtain and authenticate the overseas evidence.
Scope of quote
Separate core licensing, sector work, official charges and third-party services.
BEFORE YOU FILE
Post-licence work
The branch should activate tax, accounting, seal, banking, employment and other sector requirements before operating. Contracting and invoicing must remain within the approved scope.
Branch head
Check the appointment and any position restrictions.
Operational records
Align invoices, agreements and tax setup with the licensed branch.
Changes
Review licence amendment when the address, head, parent or activities change.
BEFORE YOU FILE
Common blockers
A branch can be the wrong vehicle for the proposed business even if the overseas company qualifies by age. Review the sector, foreign documents, lawful premises and person in charge together.
INITIAL REVIEW
What to send for the first review
These copies help us identify the route and a realistic scope. We will specify originals, authentication and translations after checking the case.
- Parent trader's establishment record, operating history and registered business activities.
- Exact products or services to be performed through the Vietnam branch and likely counterparties.
- Draft branch address, proposed head and available premises evidence.
- Any sector licences, treaty basis or prior Vietnam presence relevant to market access.
Questions before you proceed
Is a foreign-trader branch a separate Vietnamese company?
No. It is a dependent presence of the foreign trader; a foreign-invested company is a separate Vietnamese legal entity.
Does five years of overseas operation guarantee approval?
No. The activity, sector access, documents, premises and other conditions also matter.
Can we change the branch activities later?
A proposed change should be checked against the licence and the applicable amendment procedure before it is carried out.
Must the overseas parent first establish a Vietnamese company?
No. A foreign-trader branch is a different legal route, but its activities and sector must be eligible.
Which foreign records need legalisation?
Parent establishment and appointment records commonly require formalities. Applicable exemptions and the document chain must be checked case by case.
Where is the branch application filed?
The competent receiving authority depends on the current published procedure and the proposed activity or location.
Does a specialised sector use the same process?
Not necessarily. Some sectors require separate conditions, consultation or a different licensing framework.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Legal and procedure references
The requirements, authority and current procedure must be checked for the facts and filing date of each case.
NEXT STEP
Discuss the facts before choosing a filing route
Send the current documents, proposed change and timing. We will identify the initial questions and agree the scope of work.