ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

Monday, July 4, 2016

NOTE ON SETTING UP A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN VIETNAM

Setting up a representative office is considered one of the simplest forms of investment in Vietnam.


The representative office will help the foreign trader to lease office, hire people, open bank account, and promote the business activities in Vietnam market.  The chief representative if being foreigner will then could apply for work permit and temporary residence card to stay in Vietnam.  There is no income tax as the representative office therefore the liability to maintain a representative office is less hassle.  When the purpose of setting up representative office in Vietnam has been achieved, the closing down of the business shall be not as challenging as closing down a company.
According to Vietnam laws, representative office is a dependent unit, representing the foreign entity’s interests in Vietnam. Representative office is established by foreign entities to help them liaise, implement research activities, provide information and support them in seeking new partners as well as having understanding of the new market.
The foreign entity has to meet certain conditions before setting up representative office in Vietnam. It has rights and duties in accordance with Vietnam laws.
When preparing the application for license of representative office in Vietnam, the foreign entities have to note the following.

Prepare the application forms

The application forms as issued by Ministry of Industry and Trade. The application must be signed by legal representative of the foreign entity;

Notarize, legalize and authenticate documents

The foreign entity has to prepare and provide business registration certificate, audited financial report, charter, and office lease memorandum of understanding, passport of the legal representatives of the Representative Office in Vietnam. The documents issued in foreign countries have to be notarized, legalized and authenticated (apostille procedures) in accordance with Vietnam laws to be used in Vietnam. If the business registration certificate or alternative documents have expiry date for business entity’s operation, the remaining time must be at least one year;

Who should be the chief representative?

The Chief Representative of the Representative Office in Vietnam must be different from the Director of the foreign entity.

How long does it take?

It would take around 20 business days since application until receiving the business operation registration of representative office.

DRAFT AND REVIEW CONTRACTS – A LAWYER’S VIEW

In Vietnam, certain type of contract has to follow forms requested by laws as such client is recommended to seek help from professional contract lawyers in Vietnam to help draft or review.


Contract is an agreement enforced by law.  In Vietnam, contract is a civil transaction which parties enter into voluntarily, each of whom intends to create, change, or terminate one or more rights or obligations between them according to Vietnam Civil Code.  Contract plays an important roles in business transaction.  Written contract provide individuals and businesses a legal document reflecting agreement, expectation and mechanism to resolve potential disagreement or disputes.
The lawyers in Vietnam drafting or reviewing contracts under Vietnam laws will need to initially review the legal resources in relevant to the transactions, research related documents and the parties involved to provide legal opinions, make suggestions and propose an optimal solution to the client for negotiation and contract finalization.
Basic terms and conditions of the contracts being rights and obligations of parties to the contracts, and other terms in regard to duration, quality, payment, dispute handling procedures, applicable law and/or jurisdiction, confidentiality, force majeure, intellectual property clauses…among others have to be carefully taken into considerations.
Further, a contract should ensure the following points to be covered:
  • Use right legal terms or terminology;
  • Foresee the future scenarios;
  • Describe the specific matters;
  • Clearly mention obligations;
  • Obtain a balance between parties involved.
There are specific contracts in Vietnam for various transactions being:
  • Joint venture contract;
  • Share purchase contract;
  • Sales contract;
  • Business cooperation contract;
  • Licensing contract;
  • Investment contract;
  • Labour contract;
  • Lease contract;
  • Distribution contract;
  • Construction contract;
  • Prenuptial agreement.
Each business transaction is different as such a contract is not a compilation of standard terms and conditions.  Professional contract lawyers in Vietnam would consider the purpose of the contract, transaction type, significance of the deal, industry, Vietnam legal requirements and expectation of the client to prepare a legally enforceable contract for the client, to avoid misunderstanding and protect the client against legal disputes.
For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call +84 8 3520 2779.  To learn more about us, please visit www.antlawyers.vn.  
ANT Lawyers is a Vietnam law firm with international standards, recognized by Legal500, IFLR1000.  We are an exclusive Vietnam member of Prae Legal, the global law firm network covering more than 150 jurisdictions.  The firm provides a range of legal services as following to multinational and domestic clients.  

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

CONDITIONS OF SETTING UP IMPORT AND EXPORT COMPANY IN VIETNAM

Before Vietnam joined World Trading Organization (WTO), distribution and import, export activities conducted by foreign owned entities are strictly regulated by Vietnam government.  As such, foreigners could only conduct the import of goods through the Vietnam agents.

Since 2007, Vietnam has become an official member of WTO and it had to commit a route to open local market to foreign companies and traders, including foreign distributors.  Within 02 years from the date of accession to WTO, regulations with services and trading activities have been eased up gradually to be more open.  Since 2009, foreigner investors have been entitled to set up 100% foreign-owned companies to conduct activities related to the sale and purchase of goods including import and export, and distribution including acting as agents for purchase and sale, wholesale, retail and franchising.   This opens up opportunities for foreign investors to expand their trading activities in Vietnam.

1. Conditions for foreign-owned company in import and export or distribution field:
According to Article 4, Decree No. 23/2007/ND-CP on 12 February 2007 by the Government providing regulation for implementation of Commercial Law regarding purchase and sale of goods and activities directly related to the purchase and sale of goods by enterprises with foreign owned capital in Vietnam (“Decree No. 23”), the conditions for an enterprise with foreign owned capital to be granted a business license for activities of purchase and sale of goods and activities related to purchase and sale of goods in Vietnam shall comprise:
a. It is an investor belonging to a country or territory participating in an international treaty of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member and in such treaty Vietnam has undertaken to open the market on activities of purchase and sale of goods and activities directly related to purchase and sale of goods;
b. The form of investment is consistent with the schedules undertaken in international treaties of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member and is consistent with the law of Vietnam;
c. The goods and services in which business is conducted are consistent with Vietnam’s undertaking to open the market and are consistent with the law of Vietnam;
d. The scope of operation is consistent with Vietnam’s undertaking to open the market and is consistent with the law of Vietnam;
e. It has approval from the competent State body.
With respect to foreign investors not in the category stipulated in clause (a) above, the Minister of Industry and Trade shall consider each application on a case by case basis and must approve activities of purchase and sale of goods and activities directly related to purchase and sale of goods before the authorized State body grants a business license.
2. Conditions of foreign-invested enterprises on implementation export rights
According to Circular No. 08/2013/TT-BTC dated on April 22, 2013 issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade detailing the goods trading and directly related activities of foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam (“Circular No.08”), foreign-owned enterprises which have been licensed to conduct export activities are permitted to export, purchase goods in Vietnam for export, including goods imported in Vietnam by them or other enterprises already finished tax liability and other financial obligations, under the following conditions:
a. Export goods which are not in the list of those banned from export, list of those temporarily suspended from export, list of those of which the right to export is not granted according to international commitments;
b. For export goods in the list of conditional export goods, enterprises must meet conditions as prescribed by law;
c. For export goods in the list of goods to be exported under roadmaps specified in international commitments, enterprises must comply with the committed roadmap;
d. The export commodities must be suitable with content of the right to export which enterprises have been licensed for implementation.
The foreign-invested enterprises already licensed for right to export are entitled to directly do procedures for export of goods at customs agencies as prescribed by law.
The foreign-invested enterprises already licensed for right to export are entitled to directly purchase only goods of Vietnamese traders who have business registration or right to import, right to distribute such goods for export; not entitled to organize the network of goods purchase in Vietnam for export, unless otherwise provided by law of Vietnam or International treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.
3. Conditions of foreign-invested enterprises on implementation import rights:
Under Circular No. 08, foreign-owned enterprises which are licensed to import goods are permitted:
a. Import goods which are not in the list of those banned from import, list of those temporarily suspended from import, list of those of which the right to import is not granted according to international commitments;
b. Import goods belong in the list of conditional import goods, enterprises must meet conditions as prescribed by law;
c. Import goods belong in the list of goods to be imported under roadmaps specified in international commitments, enterprises must comply with the committed roadmap;
d. The import commodities must be suitable with content of the right to import which enterprises have been licensed for implementation.
The foreign-invested enterprises already licensed for right to import are entitle to directly do procedures for import of goods at customs agencies as prescribed by law.
The foreign-invested enterprises already licensed for right to import but not yet licensed for right to distribute are entitled to directly sell import goods for Vietnamese traders who have business registration or right to export, right to distribute such goods; not entitled to organize or participate in the network of goods distribution in Vietnam, unless otherwise provided by law of Vietnam or International treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.
4. Conditions of foreign-owned enterprises on implementation distribution rights:
Distribution is defined as Decree 23 as “activities of wholesaling, retailing, agency  for purchase and sale of goods and franchising in accordance with the law of Vietnam”. The right to distribution is defined as “the right to undertake directly activities of distribution”.
Under Circular No. 08, foreign-owned enterprises which have been licensed to conduct distribution activities shall be permitted:
a) To conduct wholesaling, retailing, franchising and agency for trading goods manufactured in Vietnam and goods imported into Vietnam, except:
i) For goods on the list of those banned from business and list of those of which the right to distribution is not granted under international commitments;
ii) For goods restrained for business or goods of conditional business, enterprises must meet conditions as prescribed by law;
iii) For distribution goods in the list of goods to be distributed under roadmaps specified in international commitments, enterprises must comply with the committed roadmap.
b) The distribution commodities must be suitable with content of the right to distribution which enterprises have been licensed for implementation.
Depending on the method of business, investor could choose one of activities belonging to distributions rights. With each method, the investor needs to apply a suitable business registration issued by competent authorities.
Further, foreign invested enterprises whose investment registered retail business line in their investment certificate could open a single retail outlet in order to sell their goods to the end of user or customers.  The setting up of retail establishments including the first retail establishments must abide by law regulations on state management for retail activities and be conformable with the related master plans of central-affiliated cities and provinces, where are expected for setting up of retail establishments.   The setting up of retail establishments in addition to the first retail establishments are considered for each specific case based on the examination on economic demand of each locality where place retail establishment under the criteria: Quantity of retail establishments, stability of market, residential density and scale of district-level localities where are expected for the setting up of retail establishments.
Our lawyers of foreign investment practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam are available to advise and provide client with service and representation for setting up a trading company in Vietnam.
In order to seek further advice or request service, please contact us at ant@antlawyers.vn or call + 84 912 817 823.

CONDITIONAL INVESTMENT SECTORS AND INVESTMENT CONDITIONS IN VIETNAM

When setting up a trading company in Vietnam, beside other conditions, the foreign investors have to prove experience in trading area.  Areas such as banking, financial services, real estate, security services will require minimum investment.   Foreign investment lawyers should be consulted for advice on investment licensing matters.

In general, foreign investors making investment in Vietnam are encouraged.  However, there are areas although not prohibited, but are “conditional” areas including the project could affect national defense, security, social order and safety; finance and banking; field that affect public health; culture, information, press, publishing; entertainment services; the real estate business; prospecting, exploring and exploiting of natural resources, ecological projects and the environment; education and training, and professional services i.e. legal, accounting, tax…
The conditions required by Vietnam laws on investment toward the foreign investors are business requirements that the investor must meet after the incorporation of the company, not as a condition for receiving the investment license. However, in the case of a foreign investor applies for an investment license for a new project, the law requires that all business conditions must be satisfied before the grant of the investment license.
Conditions that the foreign investors have to meet when investing in conditional business could be related to the forms of the investment, the nationality of foreign investors, the professional expertise of the investor, the scale of investment projects, type of goods and services, time implementation of investment projects.

WHICH FORM OF INVESTMENT – BRANCH OR COMPANY?

Foreign entities can set-up company or branch offices in Vietnam to carry out business activities.


There are several main different aspects between opening a branch office or establishing a foreign owned company in Vietnam.
  1. Conditions
  • Permits for establishment of Vietnam-based branches of foreign enterprise shall each have a valid term of five years.
  • Foreign enterprise must choose between establishing a 100% foreign capital enterprise or forming a joint-venture with domestic investor or company.
  1. Certificate
  • The Branch office needs to apply and obtain the operation license of a Branch;
  • A foreign owned company will need to apply and obtain the investment certificate (“IC”) to operate in Vietnam.
  1. Capital
  • Optional, foreign entity will decide how much money to invest in branch. The allocation capital for branch is capital for the subordinate units.
  • Mandatory, foreign entity will need to provide minimum capital as required by Vietnam Law in conditional investment area.
  1. Obligation of owner
  • For branch office in Vietnam, owner takes full responsibility;
  • For company, owner takes responsibility within the capital contributed into the company in Vietnam;
  1. Other matters


  • For branch office setting up in Vietnam, the procedure is less complicated compared to those for the establishment of a 100% foreign owned company;  the branch office is able to carry out trading and some other activities as stipulated by Vietnam laws and the WTO commitments which Vietnam enters.  The business lines of a branch have to be aligned with the business lines of the headquarter of the foreign entity.
  • Setting up foreign owned company would be more complicated than the setting up of the branch office, however this form of investment has more flexibility and freedom as it is a stand alone Vietnam entity recognized under Vietnam laws.

Sunday, June 5, 2016

CONDITIONS FOR ESTABLISHING REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN VIETNAM

Decree No. 07/2016 / ND-CP regulating the Commercial Law regarding representative offices and branches of foreign traders in Vietnam that have recently been issued by the Government.


Accordingly, foreign traders can establish their representative offices and branches in Vietnam under Vietnam’s commitments in international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. A foreign trader cannot establish more than one representative office or branch with the same name within a province or city under central authority.
Foreign traders are licensed to establish representative offices when they meet five conditions:
– Foreign traders can establish and register for business in accordance with law of nation and territories participating in international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, or recognized by the law of those nations and territories.
– Foreign traders that have been in operation for at least one year from the date of establishment or registration.
– In case the certificate of business registration or papers with equivalent value of the foreign traders have prescribed the time limit for operation, then the duration must be at least 1 year from the date of submitting record.
– The operation of the representative office must match the commitment of Vietnam in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member.
– The case where the operation of the representative office is inconsistent with Vietnam’s commitments or foreign traders do not belong to any nations and territories participating in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, the establishment of representative offices must be approved by the Minister of specialized management.
The Decree also stipulates the conditions for foreign traders to be granted licenses to establish their branches. Specifically, foreign traders will be licensed for the establishment of branches when they meet 5 conditions:
– Foreign traders can establish and register for business in accordance with law of nation and territories participating in international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, or recognized by the law of those nations and territories.
– Foreign traders that have been in operation for at least five year from the date of establishment or registration.
– In case the certificate of business registration or papers with equivalent value of the foreign traders have prescribed the time limit for operation, then the duration must be at least 1 year from the date of submitting record.
– The operation of the branch office must be consistent with the market-opening commitments of Vietnam in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, and in line with the business lines of the foreign trader.
– If the content of the branch operation is inconsistent with Vietnam’s commitments or foreign traders do not belong to any nations and territories participating in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, the establishment of branches must be approved by the Minister of specialized management.
The license for the establishment of representative office and branch of foreign traders have a term of 5 years but does not exceed the remaining term of the certificate of business registration or papers of equivalent value of the foreign trader in the case that those papers contain provisions on the term.

CASES THAT FOREIGNERS DO NOT HAVE TO APPLY FOR WORK PERMITS

Pursuant to Decree No. 11/2016/ND-CP of the Government that will take effect April 1st 2016, the below cases of foreigner will not have to apply for work permit in Vietnam:




  • As capital contributing members or the owner of limited liability company.
  • As member of the Managing Board of the joint stock company.
  • As Head of the representative office, project of international organizations, non-governmental organizations in Vietnam.
  • Entry into Vietnam for less than 03 months to carry out the service offering.
  • Entry into Vietnam for less than 03 months to handle the incidents, technical situations and complicated technology arising that influence or threaten to production and business that Vietnam expert and foreign experts that currently in Vietnam cannot handle.
  • As foreign lawyers that are licensed to practice law in Vietnam under the provisions of the Law on Lawyers.
  • Under the provisions of the international treaties in which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.
  • As pupils and students studying in Vietnam and working in Vietnam but the employer must notify 07 days with state authorities on the provincial labor.
  • Moving within the enterprises in the range of 11 service sectors in the service commitments of Vietnam to the World Trade Organization, including: business, communication, construction, distribution, education, environment, finance, health, tourism, culture and transport;
  • Entry into Vietnam to provide advisory services and technical expertise or perform other tasks to serve the research, construction, appraisal, monitoring, evaluation, management and implementation of programs and projects funded with official development assistance (ODA) as prescribed or agreed in international treaties on ODA signed between the competent authorities of Vietnam and foreign countries;
  • Granted the work permit on information and press in Vietnam by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs in accordance with law;
  • Sent to Vietnam by agencies and foreign organizations to teach and research in the international school under the jurisdiction of the foreign diplomatic representative agencies or international organizations in Vietnam or the Ministry of Education and Training certificated for teaching and researching in the educational and training institutions in Vietnam;
  • Volunteers certified by the foreign diplomatic representative agencies or international organizations in Vietnam
  • Entry into Vietnam working in the positions of professional, manager, executive or technical employees with working duration of less than 30 days and no more than 90 cumulative days in 01 years;
  • Entry into Vietnam to implement international agreements that agencies and organizations at the central and province have signed as in accordance with law;
  • Pupils and students studying in abroad schools and training institutions that have internship agreements in the agencies, organizations and enterprises in Vietnam;
  • Relatives of members of foreign representatives in Vietnam working after licensed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, except the case where international treaties that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member that have other regulations;
  • Have official passport to work for state agencies, political organizations and political – social organizations;
  • Other cases decided by the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs.