An Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) records an investment project in Vietnam. The first question is whether the proposed route requires a new IRC, an amendment to an existing IRC, or a different investment procedure.
This guide explains the information to prepare, the filing sequence and the practical checks to complete before submitting an IRC application in 2026.
When should you check the IRC route?
A foreign investor starting a project will often need an IRC, but the answer depends on the investment structure. A capital contribution or share acquisition does not automatically require a new IRC; acquisition registration, enterprise changes or amendment of an existing project may still be relevant.
Under the 2026 framework, eligible foreign investors may establish an economic organisation before completing the relevant IRC procedure, subject to market-access and subsequent IRC requirements. An ERC does not by itself authorise implementation of the investment project.
Information to prepare before filing
- investor identity and legal-status documents;
- project objectives and proposed business activities;
- charter capital and total investment capital;
- project location and premises documents;
- implementation schedule and capital contribution plan;
- financial-capacity evidence where required; and
- sector-specific approvals or explanations where relevant.
Typical filing sequence
- Confirm whether a new IRC, amendment or another investment route applies.
- Check market-access conditions, ownership, project location and regulated activities.
- Prepare the investor and project documents in the correct form.
- Complete required authentication, Apostille or translation steps for foreign-issued documents where applicable.
- Submit to the competent investment registration authority and respond to requests for clarification or supplementation.
- After issuance, align the ERC, capital contribution, reporting and operating licences with the registered project.
IRC, ERC and operating licences are different records
The IRC records the investment project. The ERC records the company. Neither replaces licences or operating conditions that may apply to retail, education, logistics, manufacturing, food, technology or other regulated activities.
What to send for a preliminary review
Send the investor country and legal form, proposed activities, ownership, approximate capital, intended location and target start date. If an item is not decided yet, identify the options under consideration rather than guessing.
Legal reference note. Reviewed for the framework applicable on 23 October 2026, including Investment Law 143/2025/QH15 and Decree 96/2026/ND-CP. The filing route depends on the investor, project and rules in force when the application is made.