1. Why Singapore Investors Choose to Establish Business in Vietnam
Vietnam is becoming an attractive investment destination for Singapore investors in Vietnam thanks to its strategic geographical location in Southeast Asia, competitive labor and operating costs, and free trade agreements (FTAs) that facilitate exports and trade.
For small and medium-sized enterprises from Singapore, establishing a business in Vietnam opens up opportunities to access a large consumer market, taking advantage of lower operating costs compared to other saturated markets. In addition, the preferential policies of the Vietnamese Government for a number of industries such as technology, manufacturing, education and renewable energy also increase the attractiveness, helping Singapore investors to expand their scale sustainably.
2. Key Legal Requirements for Singapore Companies
To ensure a smooth business establishment in Vietnam, Singapore investors need to understand the legal requirements. Choosing the type of business such as Limited Liability Company (LLC), Joint Stock Company (JSC) or Representative Office will determine the ownership structure, charter capital and management rights.
Investors need to determine the investment capital, business lines and licensing conditions. Some specific business lines may require additional licenses or pre-investment approval from state agencies. Basic legal documents include the company charter, list of shareholders/members, legal documents of the investor, legal head office address, and capital contribution plan.
For FDI projects, Singapore investors need to apply for an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) to get investment approval, then apply for an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) – the official business license and tax code of the enterprise. Compliance with these legal requirements is a prerequisite for legal and effective business operations.
3. Prepare Documents and Apply for Business License (IRC & ERC)
For Singapore investors in Vietnam, establishing a business in Vietnam cannot be separated from the steps of preparing documents and applying for licenses. This is an important stage, especially for FDI projects, because complete and accurate documents determine the progress of granting Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) and Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) – two mandatory licenses for businesses to operate legally.
3.1 Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) – For FDI
For projects with foreign investment capital, IRC is the first license, allowing investors to implement projects in Vietnam. The documents usually include:
- Application for implementing investment projects and Investment Plan, clearly stating the objectives, scale, location, capital and progress of the project.
- Evidence of the investor’s financial capacity, such as bank statements, credit contracts or mortgaged assets.
- Legal documents of the investor: individuals submit notarized and consularized passports; legal entities submit notarized and consularized business registration certificates.
- Project location, including lease contract or land/office use right certificate.
3.2 Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) – Operating License
After the IRC is issued (or for 100% domestic-owned enterprises), the investor submits an application for an ERC – which is an official license for the enterprise to operate and also a tax code. The ERC dossier includes:
- Business registration application.
- Company Charter, which stipulates the organizational structure, member/shareholder rights, capital contribution ratio and management method.
- List of shareholders/members and legal representatives, clearly stating information, ownership ratio and voting rights.
- Appointment decision and authorization letter (if any).
- Capital contribution plan & proof of financial capacity, especially important for large capital projects.
3.3 General requirements and important notes
- Notarization, consular legalization & translation into Vietnamese: all documents of foreign investors must be completed before submission. This is a step that often causes delays if the dossier has many shareholders or is complicated.
- Legal head office address: do not use apartments or collective houses.
- Unified information: company name, address, capital, and business lines must be consistent on all dossiers.
- Choosing the right business line: ensure that investment conditions are met to avoid multiple amendments.
3.4 Time to prepare and submit documents
- Document preparation: 1-2 weeks, depending on the volume and complexity of legalization.
- IRC appraisal: about 20-45 working days.
- ERC issuance: 10-20 days after IRC approval.
Due to the complicated process of preparing documents and applying for ERC/IRC, Singapore investors should hire outsourcing with professional services such as Vina TPT start-up business license service. This not only saves time, limits legal errors but also ensures that the licensing process is quick, transparent and safe.
GET EXPERT HELP WITH IRC & ERC REGISTRATION
4. Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Singaporean investors often face difficulties due to differences in laws, taxes, and administrative procedures between Vietnam and Singapore. Language barriers and incomplete understanding of regulations also hinder the preparation of documents and communication with authorities.
Common problems include delays in IRC or ERC approval, inconsistent information in documents, and additional licensing requirements for specific industries. Working with a business setup consultant Vietnam helps to minimize these risks through legal advice, accurate document preparation, and direct dealing with government agencies, allowing investors to focus on business planning and strategic operations.
5. Role of a Business Setup Consultant in Vietnam
Using a business setup consultant Vietnam is an important strategy for Singapore investors to optimize the company registration process. Consultants help identify the appropriate type of business, review and prepare all legal documents, and ensure compliance with Vietnamese regulations.
In addition, consultants also provide strategic advice on capital allocation, investment approval, and application for specific industry licenses, helping investors avoid legal errors and shorten the time to complete documents. As a result, Singaporean businesses save costs, time, and feel more secure in long-term development in Vietnam.
6. Vina TPT Company Registration Service for Singapore Investors
Vina TPT company registration offers a complete solution for Singapore investors in Vietnam, with outstanding advantages:
- Comprehensive support: From initial consultation, document preparation, document submission, to post-registration support.
- Legal compliance: Ensure documents are valid for both IRC and ERC.
- Industry expertise: Guidance on applying for additional licenses for regulated fields such as education, fintech, manufacturing.
- Multilingual service: Bilingual support in Vietnamese and English, ensuring accurate and easy-to-understand information for investors.
- Save time and costs: Help shorten the registration process, limit errors and reduce operating costs.
Singapore investors can rest assured when choosing Vina TPT company registration to establish business in Vietnam quickly, legally and effectively.
Contact Vina TPT today for advice and quick implementation of business registration in Vietnam!
