Business Knowledge, Finance & Accounting Knowledge, Lasted News, Legal News

FDI Company Setup in Vietnam: Business License & Complete 2026 Guide

Posted on 30/12/202530/12/2025 by ASS

Why Setting up Company in Vietnam is the Strategic Choice for 2026?

The year 2026 marks a pivotal turning point for foreign investors in Vietnam. With significant reforms in the Law on Investment and a roadmap to reduce conditional business lines, the process for setting up a company in Vietnam is becoming more transparent and streamlined than ever.

However, to operate legally in specialized sectors such as retail, distribution, or logistics, investors must follow a structured path from obtaining an IRC and ERC to securing a specific business license.

1. Why Foreign Investors Need a Clear Roadmap in 2026

Starting a business in Vietnam as a foreigner offers immense potential, but understanding the 2026 regulatory landscape is crucial to avoiding delays or rejected applications.

a. FDI Opportunities in 2026

Vietnam maintains its position as Southeast Asia’s “global factory” based on four key pillars:

Extensive FTA Network: Leverage tariff incentives from the CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP.
New Incentive Policies: Strong focus on high-tech projects, circular economy, and renewable energy.
Flexible Ownership Structures: 100% foreign ownership is permitted in most sectors, including manufacturing, IT, consulting, and trading.
Digitalized Procedures: Significant reduction in waiting times through the National Business Registration Portal.

b. When is a Business License (Trading License) Mandatory?

While many sectors are open, a Business License (Trading License or Retail Distribution License) is still mandatory for foreign investors in “conditional” sectors under WTO commitments and Vietnamese Law.

Even with eased regulations, a separate Business License is required after company formation for:

Retail Sales: Directly providing goods to end consumers.
Distribution & Import: Applied to restricted or specialized commodity groups.
Specialized Services: Logistics, education, healthcare, and F&B.
Important Note: By July 1, 2026, sectors like accounting and insurance brokerage will see further liberalization. However, for Retail & Distribution, investors must still seek approval from the Ministry/Department of Industry and Trade.

c. Distinguishing IRC vs. ERC vs. Business License

Understanding these three acronyms is vital for any foreigner setting up a company in Vietnam:

Permit Type	Issuing Authority	Primary Role
IRC (Investment Registration Certificate)	Department of Planning and Investment (DPI)	Approves the investment project (capital, objectives, location).
ERC (Enterprise Registration Certificate)	Business Registration Office	Creates the legal entity and issues the Tax ID.
Business License	Relevant Ministry or Department	Grants permission to operate in conditional sectors (Retail, etc.).

The Standard Sequence: IRC (Project Approval) → ERC (Company Formation) → Business License (For specific sectors).

2. 5-Step Process for Setting Up Company in Vietnam in 2026

The average timeline for completion ranges from 1 to 2 months, depending on the complexity of your business lines.

Step 1: Choose a Legal Structure & Check Ownership Limits

The most common choice is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) due to its flexibility and limited liability protection. Foreigners must verify if their specific sector requires a Joint Venture (JV) with a Vietnamese partner.

Step 2: Obtain the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)

Investors submit the application to the DPI. Key documents include:

Detailed Investment Project Proposal.
Proof of Financial Capacity (Bank statements or audited reports).
Office Lease Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Timeline: 15 – 35 working days.

Step 3: Obtain the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)

Once the IRC is issued, the ERC application is typically processed within 3 – 7 working days. This step officially grants your business its legal status.

Step 4: Post-Registration Procedures (Operational Compliance)

Obtaining the ERC is only the beginning. Within 90 days, investors must fulfill these mandatory obligations:

Open a Direct Investment Capital Account (DICA): This is the most critical step. All capital contributions, profit repatriations, and share transfers must flow through this account.
Capital Contribution: Ensure the total committed capital is transferred into the DICA within 90 days of ERC issuance.
Online Investment Reporting: Businesses must report project progress quarterly and annually on the National Investment Information System. Missing these deadlines can lead to heavy administrative fines.
Initial Tax & Accounting Setup: Register digital signatures, set up e-invoice templates, and pay Business License Tax (License Fees). Appointing a Chief Accountant or an outsourced accounting representative is a legal requirement for signing financial statements.

Step 5: Specialized Business License (If applicable)

For retail and distribution entities, authorities will assess the application based on local planning and socio-economic impact. Note the Economic Needs Test (ENT) requirement if you plan to open a second retail outlet or more.

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3. Required Documents & Checklist

All foreign documents must be Consularly Legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized.

Individual Investors: Notarized passport + Bank balance confirmation.
Corporate Investors: Parent company’s Certificate of Incorporation + Audited financial statements (last 2 years) + Resolution appointing the authorized representative.
Project Documents: Detailed Business Plan and proof of right to use the business location.

4. Vina TPT: Your Trusted Partner for FDI Success in Vietnam

Establishing a legal entity is just the start. To thrive in the Vietnamese market, businesses need a solid foundation in Accounting, Tax, and HR from day one.

Vina TPT is proud to be a strategic partner, helping foreign investors remove language barriers and navigate local legal complexities:

Expert Consulting: From initial setup to tax structure optimization. We keep you updated on the latest regulations, including Global Minimum Tax and 2026 tax incentives.
Payroll & HR Management: We handle labor contracts, Social Health & Unemployment Insurance (SHUI), and Personal Income Tax (PIT) finalization for both expats and locals, ensuring absolute confidentiality.
Lifecycle Partnership: With over 20 years of experience, Vina TPT provides an “All-in-one” ecosystem. You focus on growth; we handle the administration.
No Language Barrier: Our trilingual team (English – Japanese – Vietnamese) ensures transparent communication and seamless management reporting.

Optimize your resources and minimize legal risks with Vina TPT. Contact us today for a 1-on-1 specialized consultation for your 2026 project.

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Accounting & Tax, Lasted News

Financial Reporting and Tax Finalization Services 2025 in Vietnam

Posted on 08/12/202517/04/2026 by ASS

1. Overview of Financial Reporting & Tax Finalization in Vietnam 2025

In 2025, FDI enterprises and domestic enterprises in Vietnam must fully comply with financial reporting and tax settlement obligations as prescribed. The annual financial statements include the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement and Notes to the Financial Statements, all of which must be prepared in accordance with Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS).

In parallel with preparing the Financial Statements, enterprises must make corporate income tax and personal income tax settlements within 90 days from the end of the fiscal year. The increase in the frequency of reviews and inspections by tax authorities requires enterprises to have accurate data, a synchronous accounting system and complete records to avoid the risk of being penalized.

2. Vina TPT’s Financial Statement Services

Vina TPT provides in-depth financial reporting services, helping businesses prepare accurate, transparent and fully VAS-compliant reports. Not only synthesizing data, we also provide a clear view of the financial situation and ensure readiness for audits or tax inspections.

Vina TPT’s financial reporting services include:

Preparing Balance Sheets, Income Statements, Cash Flow Statements and Financial Statement Notes
Reconciling general ledgers, detailed ledgers, accounting documents
Reviewing and adjusting prepaid expenses, fixed asset depreciation, provisions
Checking compliance with VAS and tax regulations
Detecting and handling data discrepancies before closing the books
Providing bilingual reports (Vietnamese, English, Japanese)

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3. Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Finalization Services

Vina TPT provides in-depth corporate income tax settlement services, helping businesses control data, comply with regulations and limit errors in the context of many important adjustments to tax policies and the Enterprise Law from October 1, 2025.

3.1 Review expenses and determine taxable profits

Vina TPT checks all expenses to determine which are deductible and which are not deductible in accordance with the Corporate Income Tax Law; reviews depreciation of fixed assets, interest expenses, provisions and expenses that are easily excluded during tax inspections. At the same time, the team compares data between financial statements and tax declarations to accurately calculate taxable profits, ensuring that there are no difficult-to-explain differences.

3.2 Prepare corporate income tax settlement declarations and in-depth risk assessment

The service includes full preparation of declarations, loss transfer appendices, tax incentives, cost analysis tables and explanation documents according to tax inspection standards. Vina TPT also analyzes risks by group such as costs without sufficient documents, incorrect revenue-expense periods, discrepancies in electronic invoice data, or lack of linked transaction records. From there, it proposes solutions to reduce the risk of collection and fines.

3.3 Tax optimization consulting and notes on new regulations from October 1, 2025

Vina TPT supports businesses in applying tax incentives to the right subjects, implementing valid loss transfers, and optimizing tax obligations based on legal mechanisms. In particular, changes effective from October 1, 2025 related to electronic records management, tightening cost control, and expanding explanation requirements make the settlement process more stringent; businesses need to carefully compare data, contracts, and documents to avoid risks when tax authorities inspect.

4. Personal Income Tax (PIT) Finalization for Employees & Foreigners

Personal income tax settlement is a major challenge for businesses with large staff numbers, diverse income structures or foreign employees. Vina TPT provides a complete PIT solution, helping businesses process quickly, correctly and fully comply with new regulations.

4.1 Review PIT data and prepare settlement documents

Vina TPT checks tax data of each employee monthly (income, exemptions, deductions, working days, taxes paid) to ensure consistent data before making settlement. At the same time, collect and check all documents: labor contracts, payroll, residence papers, entry/exit history of foreign experts… to help businesses have accurate data from the beginning of the year.

4.2 Preparation and submission of PIT settlement dossiers and tax refund support

Services include preparing PIT settlement declarations for businesses and individuals, correctly classifying residents and non-residents, applying double taxation agreements (DTA) if any, and submitting dossiers on time. Vina TPT also carries out tax refund procedures for employees and foreign experts, monitors the processing process and works with tax authorities to ensure that dossiers are processed quickly.

4.3 Representing and working with tax authorities and providing in-depth advice for foreign workers

Vina TPT represents businesses when requested by tax authorities, helping to reduce the workload for HR and accounting departments. At the same time, it provides in-depth advice on tax residency, applying DTA, handling business trips to multiple countries, income arising outside of Vietnam, or common international risks. This is especially important for businesses that employ many foreign experts and need to comply with cross-border tax standards.

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5. Common Pain Points & Why Businesses Need Professional Support

At the end of each year, many businesses face difficulties due to:

Incorrect data or inconsistent recording
Lack of documents or incomplete records
Internal accounting systems and reporting to parent companies are not synchronized
Late submission deadlines due to limited staff
Risks of fines and additional collection when tax authorities inspect
Lack of expertise in VAS and complex tax regulations

Professional services from Vina TPT help businesses avoid these risks and ensure the tax filing process runs smoothly.

6. Why Choose Vina TPT for Reporting & Tax Services

Values:

Vina TPT helps businesses maintain a transparent accounting system, accurate reporting and minimize tax risks in the context of increasingly strict inspections.

Professional capacity:

A team of accountants & tax experts with many years of experience in FDI enterprises
Deep understanding of VAS and financial reporting according to international standards
Bilingual support in Vietnamese – English – Japanese

Service commitment:

Clear process, fast processing time
Data security and absolute compliance with legal regulations
Optimal cost according to scale and workload

7. Comprehensive Service Package for FDI Enterprises

Vina TPT provides One-Stop Tax & Accounting Solution, including:

Annual Financial Report
Corporate Income Tax Finalization
Personal Income Tax Finalization
Accounting & Bookkeeping Services
Payroll, Labor Report
Support for Foreign Labor Compliance
Support for Working with Tax Authorities, Inspections & Audits

Consistency

All services are deployed synchronously according to one system, avoiding data discrepancies between departments and reducing risks during audits.

Long-term Benefits

A suitable solution for FDI enterprises that need stability, transparency and long-term support in a volatile legal environment.

Start with Vina TPT to complete financial reports and tax settlement 2025 quickly!

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Accounting & Tax, Lasted News

Accounting service for Chinese tech firms in Vietnam

Posted on 22/10/202513/04/2026 by ASS

Accounting services for Chinese tech companies in Vietnam

1. Fast-Growing Chinese Tech Firms Need Smarter Accounting Services in Vietnam

The wave of Chinese technology companies shifting production and investment to Vietnam is taking place strongly. From electronics, hardware, software companies to technology startups, Vietnam has become an attractive destination thanks to its competitive labor costs, preferential tax policies and strategic position in the regional supply chain.

However, along with that expansion speed are challenges in financial management. As the scale of operations increases rapidly, companies face the challenge of controlling cash flow, standardizing accounting processes, and ensuring compliance with Vietnamese regulations, which are significantly different from the Chinese system. A smart, automated and transparent accounting system is the foundation for Chinese technology companies to maintain stability during their development in Vietnam.

2. Bridging the Gap Between Tech Expansion and Accounting Readiness

Most Chinese technology companies, when first investing in Vietnam, focus on production or R&D, paying little attention to building an internal accounting team with a good understanding of local laws. This leads to a fragmented financial system that lacks standardization, making it difficult to prepare tax and financial reports according to Vietnamese regulations.

In addition, differences in language, forms, tax declaration procedures and accounting standards (VAS vs CAS) put many businesses at risk of compliance. Even small errors in declaration or late submission of reports can lead to administrative fines, affecting the reputation of the business and long-term investment projects. Clearly, to operate effectively, Chinese technology companies need a reliable accounting partner who understands both the business language and the laws of the two countries.

3. Why Accounting Outsourcing and Payroll Services Ensure Agility and Compliance

Accounting services is a popular trend among FDI companies in Vietnam, especially in the technology industry. Instead of recruiting, training and maintaining an accounting department, enterprises can use the services of a professional unit – helping to save up to 40-60% of operating costs, while eliminating human resource risks.

Units specializing in providing accounting services such as Vina TPT not only process books, prepare financial reports, declare and settle taxes, but also integrate China payroll services, ensuring that salary calculation, personal income tax and social insurance deductions are performed correctly, transparently and bilingually. This is especially important for Chinese companies with multinational staff, requiring a payroll and tax calculation system that is both accurate and easy to understand.

As a result, businesses can focus resources on core activities – product, technology and market development, while accounting, tax and human resources are guaranteed to operate smoothly and in compliance with the law.

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4. Modern Accounting Services for Business Growth in the Tech Industry

In the digital age, accounting is no longer a manual task, but an important part of the operational strategy. Modern accounting solutions today apply cloud computing (cloud accounting), automate reporting, and standardize financial data according to VAS – IFRS to increase processing speed and minimize errors.

For technology businesses, this is even more important when it comes to tracking R&D costs, depreciation of technology assets, or calculating cost of goods in the supply chain. Digital accounting systems help businesses access financial data in real time, make faster decisions, and coordinate easily between branches in Vietnam – China.

In addition, standardizing financial reports according to international standards also helps businesses easily mobilize capital, cooperate in investment or IPO in the future, when financial transparency becomes a key factor of market confidence.

5. From Data to Decision: Turning Accounting Insights into Business Advantage

A good accounting system not only reflects the past but also forecasts the future. When properly analyzed and presented, financial data will become a powerful tool to support leaders in making strategic decisions.

Through indicators of cash flow, personnel cost ratio, investment efficiency and gross profit, businesses can identify risks early, allocate budgets reasonably and optimize operations. This is especially important for technology businesses – where changes occur rapidly and every financial decision directly affects competitiveness.

Therefore, accounting is not just a compliance task, but a strategic foundation to help Chinese technology businesses develop sustainably in Vietnam.

6. Vina TPT Accounting Service – Trusted Partner for Chinese Tech Firms in Vietnam

With more than 10 years of experience serving FDI companies, Vina TPT Accounting Services has become a strategic partner of many Chinese, Korean and Singaporean technology companies operating in Vietnam. We have a team of bilingual English-Vietnamese, who are deeply trained in financial regulations, Vietnamese tax laws and international reporting standards.

Vina TPT experts not only perform accurate operations but also provide strategic consulting: building a standardized financial system, internal control, optimizing costs and supporting businesses in converting to a digital accounting model.

Vina TPT is committed to providing comprehensive, transparent and absolutely confidential accounting services, helping Chinese technology enterprises confidently develop in Vietnam without worrying about legal or operational barriers.

Vina TPT Accounting Service for business – a solid financial foundation for the sustainable growth of Chinese technology enterprises in Vietnam.

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Business Knowledge, Company Formation, HR News, Labor & Insurance Knowledge, Lasted News

Payroll & workforce management for Chinese electronics companies

Posted on 22/10/202510/04/2026 by ASS

Vina TPT Payroll Service consulting outsource payroll for Chinese companies

1. Growing Presence of Chinese Electronics Companies in Vietnam

As global supply chains restructure, Vietnam has become a top destination for Chinese electronics manufacturers – offering both large-scale manufacturing capacity and tax advantages and a young workforce. As manufacturing costs in China continue to rise, many Chinese electronics corporations and businesses have chosen Vietnam as their next destination to expand their factories and optimize their supply chains. Vietnam not only has a strategic geographical location, close to China, but also possesses a young workforce, competitive labor costs and many attractive free trade agreements (FTAs).

However, this rapid expansion also brings with it many challenges in human resource management and payroll processing. Electronic businesses need professional payroll services and workforce management systems to ensure legal compliance, maintain productivity and manage costs effectively. This is what makes the demand for payroll partners in Vietnam increasingly strong in the Chinese business community.

2. Payroll Challenges for Foreign Manufacturing Businesses in Vietnam

Vietnam has a complex legal and labor tax system, especially for foreign enterprises. Requirements for personal income tax (PIT), social insurance (SI), health insurance (HI) declarations and periodic labor reports make payroll management a multi-layered process. Even small errors in tax declarations or insurance payments can lead to administrative violations and audit risks.

In addition to legal factors, the operation of a non-synchronous payroll system between departments or factories makes it difficult for many enterprises to ensure accuracy, transparency and data security. In this context, professional payroll processing services become an inevitable choice that help Chinese enterprises minimize errors, save resources and focus on production goals.

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3. Why Outsourced Payroll Services is the Smart Move for Chinese Manufacturers

Outsourcing payroll brings clear benefits to Chinese electronics manufacturers in Vietnam. Instead of setting up a complex human resource accounting department, businesses can entrust the entire process of calculating salaries, deducting taxes, and preparing reports to a specialized unit. This not only helps save fixed costs but also eliminates the risk of legal violations when Vietnam’s regulations change frequently.

Moreover, outsourcing payroll services helps businesses be more flexible when expanding production. As the number of employees increases rapidly in each stage, the service provider can adjust the management process accordingly, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. As a result, businesses do not need to invest in additional software infrastructure or internal personnel, while still maintaining consistency in salary and benefits management.

4. Key Features of Professional Payroll Processing Services in Vietnam

An effective payroll services needs to ensure that the entire process chain is operated accurately and transparently:

Collect and process timekeeping data from different departments and shifts.
Calculate salaries, allowances and bonuses according to each level, position and performance.
Deduct and declare personal income tax (PIT), along with social insurance (SI) according to regulations.
Issue payroll and transfer automatically on time, ensuring confidentiality.
Prepare periodic human resource and financial reports, serving internal auditing and management.

All these steps are performed on a secure, automated software platform and have the ability to flexibly integrate with the enterprise’s existing human resource management system.

In addition, professional service providers also:

Support timely tax declaration and payment, timely update of new regulations from tax authorities.
Labor policy and benefits consulting for Vietnamese employees and foreign workers.
Help Chinese electronics enterprises reduce administrative burden, while ensuring all human resources activities run smoothly and legally.

Once the payroll process is automated and transparent, the next step is to optimize the entire HR management system to operate more efficiently.

5. Integrating Workforce Management with Payroll Services for Smooth Operations

When a business implements workforce management integrated with payroll services, the entire internal operating system is connected into a seamless chain: from timekeeping, shift assignment, performance tracking to payroll and HR reporting. Synchronizing data between departments not only helps managers accurately track productivity, turnover rates or HR costs, but also supports the leadership team in making strategic decisions quickly and based on real data.

In addition, an integrated HR management system also contributes to improving the employee experience. When factors such as salary, bonus, allowances, benefits or insurance are processed transparently, accurately and on time, employees will feel secure, thereby increasing engagement and reducing turnover.

Especially for large-scale Chinese electronics factories with many rotating shifts, applying payroll solutions combined with modern human resource management technology helps standardize operating processes, limit manual errors and ensure strict compliance with labor regulations in Vietnam. This is the foundation for businesses to operate stably, optimize costs and build a sustainable workforce in the long term.

6. Partnering with Vina TPT Payroll Service for Chinese Companies in Vietnam

Vina TPT Payroll Service is a leading partner in the field of payroll services and workforce management for foreign enterprises in Vietnam, especially Chinese electronics companies. With more than 15 years of experience working with large-scale manufacturing corporations, Vina TPT has built a team of experts including human resources specialists, tax accountants and corporate lawyers with in-depth expertise and understanding of the Vietnamese legal system.

Vina TPT experts not only support salary calculation, tax and insurance declaration but also advise on human resource management strategies, build a system of salary and welfare policies suitable for Chinese corporate culture. Thanks to the combination of consulting capacity and modern management technology, Vina TPT helps businesses operate effectively, minimize costs and ensure compliance with Vietnamese laws throughout the operation process.

Contact Vina TPT Payroll Service now to get advice on payroll outsourcing solutions in Vietnam that are suitable for your electronics factory model!

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