Question: I hope this email finds you well. I am interested in establishing a limited liability company (LLC) in Vietnam to operate a small café and would like to inquire about your legal services for business registration.
Could you please provide information on the following:
1. Registration Process: What are the key steps involved in setting up an LLC for a foreign-owned café in Vietnam?
2. Duration: How long does the entire registration process typically take?
3. Service Fees: What are your legal service fees for handling the business registration? Please include any government fees or additional costs.
4. Capital Requirements: Are there any minimum capital requirements for opening a foreign-owned café?
5. Licensing & Compliance: Apart from company registration, what other licenses or permits are required for operating a café?
6. Foreign Ownership: Are there any restrictions or special conditions for foreign investors in the food and beverage industry?
7. Bank Account & Tax Registration: Do you assist with setting up a corporate bank account and obtaining a tax identification number (TIN)?
I would appreciate a breakdown of your services and a consultation if possible. Please let me know how to proceed and any documents I should prepare in advance.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response.
Answer: I am a Partner at SB Law. Thank you for reaching out to our firm for assistance in setting up your café in Vietnam. We appreciate the opportunity to support you in this process.
Please find our responses to your inquiries below:
- Registration Process:
To establish a foreign-owned limited liability company (LLC) for a café in Vietnam, you will need to obtain:- An Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)
- An Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
- A corporate bank account
Our firm is prepared to assist you with all these procedures.
- Duration:
- The process of obtaining the IRC and ERC typically takes approximately 20 working days from the date of submission of the required documents.
- Opening a corporate bank account usually takes 01 working day.
- Service Fees:
Our legal service fee for obtaining the IRC, ERC, and opening a corporate bank account ranges from USD 3,500 to USD 4,000. This estimate does not include any additional costs that may arise depending on specific requirements, for instance, translating your documents from English to Vietnamese for submission purposes (8USD/150 words) or actual traveling cost in case our lawyer is required to travel out of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to complete the assigned tasks on behalf of Client. - Capital Requirements:
There is no legal minimum capital requirement for opening a foreign-owned café in Vietnam. However, based on our experience with similar cases, we recommend an investment of at least USD 100,000 or more, depending on the location and scale of your café. - Licensing & Compliance:
After company registration, you will need to complete the following requirements before commencing operations:- Fire safety approval (inspection and acceptance of fire prevention and fighting measures)
- Food safety and hygiene certification, including staff training on food safety regulations
The complexity and duration of these processes depend on the specific location, architectural design, and projected revenue of your café. We can connect you with our business partners who are experienced in those fields to support you.
- Foreign Ownership:
There are no restrictions on foreign ownership in Vietnam’s food and beverage industry. You may establish a wholly foreign-owned company to operate your café. - Bank Account & Tax Registration:
Yes, we assist in setting up a corporate bank account and obtaining a TIN. These services are included in our quoted fee, and the TIN will be issued along with the ERC.
To better assist you, please let us know the city or province where you plan to establish your café. Our team will then provide further guidance based on local regulations.
See more: Set up company in Vietnam
