A representative office suits a foreign trader that wants to research the market, build partnerships and support its head office without directly generating revenue in Vietnam.
What is a representative office?
It is a dependent unit of a foreign trader licensed in Vietnam for liaison, market research and promotion. It is not an independent enterprise and may not directly sell goods, supply services or generate revenue in Vietnam.
Licensing conditions
The foreign trader must be lawfully established and generally have operated for at least one year. Its remaining registration term and the proposed office activities must meet the applicable requirements and Vietnam’s international commitments.
Permitted scope
The office may act as a contact point, research the market, identify partners, promote the head office and monitor contracts signed by the foreign trader. A revenue-generating model should be structured as a company or, where appropriate, a branch.
Application documents
The file generally includes the application, the head office’s registration document, appointment of the chief representative, evidence of continuing operation, identity documents and premises records. Foreign documents may require legalization, translation and certification.
After licensing
Complete tax-code, bank-account, staffing, employment, signage and record-keeping steps, and maintain the required activity reports. Work-permit and residence procedures for a foreign chief representative are separate from the office licence.
References
General information as of the update date; it does not replace advice for a specific matter.