Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for foreign traders who want to explore the market, promote trade and establish an initial presence. Establishing a Representative Office (RO) is a strategic step, however, this procedure requires strict compliance with Vietnamese laws, especially for foreign-invested companies.

GT Law is proud to be a full-service provider for establishing a Representative Office of a foreign company in Vietnam, with a deep understanding of the law and practical experience. We are committed to assisting our customers in completing all procedures quickly, accurately and efficiently, helping your business easily access the Vietnamese market.

Service fee for establishing representative office of foreign traders in Vietnam by GT Law

GT Law provides services for establishing foreign company representative offices with transparent and competitive fees:

• List price: (VAT included)
• Special offer from June 31, 2025: Discount 50% only (including VAT)

The above fee includes government fees and costs incurred during the establishment process, ensuring there are no hidden costs after signing the contract. Note: This fee does not include translation and consular legalization costs for documents from abroad (if any).

GT Law's service of establishing representative offices of foreign traders in Vietnam

GT Law provides a comprehensive service package to help foreign traders establish a representative office in the most convenient way:

In-depth advice on legal conditions and regulations:

We will provide detailed advice on the mandatory conditions for establishing a representative office according to Decree 07/2016/ND-CP and related legal documents, including:

• Conditions for foreign traders:
  • Established, registered business under the laws of the host country or recognized.
  • Has been operating for at least 01 year since the date of establishment/registration.
  • The validity of the Business Registration Certificate (or equivalent document) must be at least 01 year from the date of application submission.
  • The activities of the Representative Office must comply with Vietnam's commitments in international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
• Conditions for the head of the representative office:
  • Not allowed to concurrently hold the position of branch manager of the same/different foreign trader.
  • Not allowed to concurrently hold the position of legal representative of that foreign trader or another foreign trader, or of an economic organization established in Vietnam.
• Conditions for representative office:
  • Comply with Vietnamese laws on security, order, labor safety and hygiene and other conditions.
  • Not to be located in apartments or collective houses with residential purposes only.
• Conditions on representative office name:
  • The name of the representative office must include the name of the foreign trader and the phrase "Representative office".

Support in preparing and completing documents:

GT Law will guide and support customers to fully prepare necessary documents, including:

• Application for License to establish a Representative Office.
• Copy of Business Registration Certificate or equivalent document of foreign trader (consular legalized and notarized translation).
• Document of appointment/resignation of head of representative office.
• Copy of the parent company's most recent audited financial statements (consularized and notarized translation), or document confirming the status of tax/financial obligation fulfillment.
• Copy of Passport/ID card/CCCD of the head of the representative office (notarized, if foreigner, notarized translation required).
• Documents on the proposed location of the representative office: Lease/borrowing contract, Land use right certificate/Construction permit/Certificate of eligibility for fire prevention and fighting (for office buildings).
• Other documents as specifically required by the licensing authority.

Representative to carry out procedures and monitor progress:

GT Law will represent the enterprise to carry out the entire process at state agencies:

• Submit application for a License to establish a Representative Office at the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade (or the Management Board of Industrial Parks, Export Processing Zones, Economic Zones, and Industrial Parks if the Representative Office is located in these areas).
• Closely monitor the application processing, work directly with Department of Industry and Trade officers to explain, supplement documents (if any) and handle arising issues.
• Business representative receives License to establish Representative Office.

Support post-establishment procedures:

After obtaining the Operating License, GT Law will continue to support businesses in carrying out important legal procedures:

• Engrave round seal and register seal sample of representative office at Police Department (if required).
• Register and complete the procedure for issuing Tax Code Notification for Representative Office.
• Open a bank account for the representative office in Vietnam.
• Instructions for submitting declarations and business license fees.
• Advice on hanging representative office nameplates in accordance with regulations.
• Consulting on legal obligations, taxes (PIT) and financial management of the Representative Office during operation.
• Support procedures for renewing Representative Office License when it expires.

Procedure GT Law's service of establishing representative offices of foreign traders in Vietnam

We commit to complete all procedures and hand over the Representative Office License within 15 – 20 working days from the date of receipt of complete valid information and necessary documents that have been consularly legalized/translated.

Step 1: Consultation and Preliminary Assessment (1-2 days)

• Receive information from customers, advise on conditions, legal regulations and documents to be prepared.
• Evaluate the feasibility of the profile and provide an implementation roadmap.

Step 2: Prepare documents (5-7 days, depending on the speed of customer document provision)

• Guide customers to perform consular legalization and notarized translation of foreign documents.
• GT Law drafts documents according to prescribed forms and prepares complete dossiers.

Step 3: Submit Application and Track Progress (15-20 days)

• GT Law represents clients in submitting applications to the Department of Industry and Trade.
• Monitor, work and explain to state agencies until the application is approved and the License is issued.

Step 4: Carry out post-establishment procedures (5-7 days after receiving the business license)

• Seal engraving (if required), tax code registration, bank account opening and other related procedures.

Step 5: Deliver Results

• GT Law delivers the Representative Office Establishment License and other related documents to customers.

Contact GT Law now for in-depth advice and support in establishing a Foreign Company Representative Office in Hanoi quickly and effectively, helping your business to be more stable on the journey to conquer the Vietnamese market!