Set Up a Branch in Vietnam

Foreign companies interested in establishing a presence here through a branch office can receive specialized assistance from our local incorporation agents.

Our Vietnam company formation specialists can provide you with step-by-step guidance regarding how to open a branch in Vietnam in 2026. 

What are the requirements to open a branch office in Vietnam in 2026?

It must be noted that the foreign company registering the branch office in Vietnam must comply with a few requirements, among which:

•           it must be recognized by the directly interested authorities in its country of residence;
•           it must have been trading on the local market for at least 5 years.

Where do I register a Vietnamese branch?

The Vietnam branch office will be registered with the Department of Industry and Trade and not the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

What are the documents required for branch registration in Vietnam?

The foreign company must prepare the following documents upon the registration of a Vietnam branch office in 2026:

•           a notarized copy of the parent company’s certificate of incorporation issued by the Trade Register in its home country;
•           a notarized copy of the parent company’s statutory documents issued by the same Trade Register;
•           a notarized copy of the last audited financial documents of the parent company;
•           the Vietnam minutes of the last audited financial documents of the parent company.

The documents above must be filed with the Department of Industry and Trade together with:

•           a notarized copy of the rental contract for the business address of the branch;
•           a notarized copy of the local branch office representative’s passport;
•           the incorporation documents of the branch office in original;
•           a prescribed application form issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

All documents sent by the foreign company must be translated into Vietnamese. If you have any additional questions in this regard, you can interact with our company registration agents in Vietnam. They can answer your concerns accordingly. Additionally, if you need any further help to trademark the services of your company, our specialists in Vietnam can also assist you in this procedure. 

Here is also an infographic on the branch:

What are the main features of Vietnamese branches?

Such entities:

• depend entirely on the foreign companies establishing them, which also means they are not considered separate entities from the parent enterprises;
• cannot engage in other operations than the parent companies’;
• bear no liability for the debts they incur, as the liability falls onto the mother businesses;
• cannot make business decisions, as they are made by the foreign businesses;
• can carry out commercial activities, which implies invoicing.

Is it necessary for a branch office to have a local representative/manager?

Yes, the parent company must appoint a Vietnamese resident as a local manager. It is also possible to transfer an employee from the headquarters; however, in this case, the specific immigration formalities must be respected.

What are the documents the parent company must supply to register a branch office in Vietnam?

These are:

• the standard application form for the issuance of the establishment license;
• a copy of the parent company’s Registration Certificate;
• the latest financial statements or audit reports of the parent company;
• the decision through which the opening of the branch was authorized;
• the appointment letter and the personal details of the branch manager;
• proof of registered address in Vietnam (a virtual office can be used for the registration).

NOTE! Foreign documents, such as the Registration Certificate, appointment letter for the manager, and financial statements, must be translated into Vietnamese and authenticated before submission. The procedure can be completed with the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate abroad or after arriving in Vietnam.

What are the steps to open a branch in Vietnam in 2026?

There are several steps to respect:

1. the registration with the Department of Industry and Trade (DOIT): the application file must be submitted to the provincial office of the DOIT, where the branch will have its physical office;
2. tax registration, which must be completed locally as well;
3. obtain a company seal.

After the completion of these steps, the Vietnamese branch will receive the Branch Establishment License.
You can also watch our video on how to create a branch office in Vietnam:

How long does it take to register a branch in Vietnam?

The procedure takes about 30 days to complete, provided the documents are correctly submitted.

Can a Vietnamese branch hire employees, including foreign ones?

Yes, there are no restrictions in this sense. In the case of foreign employees, however, the immigration formalities applicable must also be respected.

Are there any differences between setting up a branch in Vietnam and other countries?

If you want to explore online incorporation options in Vietnam, you are welcome to get in touch with our specialists. They will guide you about the Vietnamese company structures that you can incorporate online. If you desire to open a branch office in another country, such as the BVI, we can put you in contact with our partners – BridgeWest BVI, a team of incorporation experts ready to assist you. The time frame for the incorporation in the BVI is approx. 2 working days.

In case you would like to set up a branch in another Asian country, our team can put you in touch with a reliable team of company incorporation experts in Singapore.

Businessmen interested in setting up branches in another country, for example in Ireland, can receive assistance from our partners – IrelandCompanyFormation.com.

Contact our company formation agents in Vietnam for their services.