4–6 wks
Typical establishment timeline, end-to-end
Representative Office in Vietnam.
A legal presence in Vietnam without incorporating a new entity. Conduct market research, build local relationships, and promote your brand — all under your parent company's name.
Key Facts
5 years
Licence validity — renewable before expiry
No CIT
Exempt from corporate income tax
Fixed fee
Transparent pricing, no hourly billing
What Is a Representative Office
A legal foothold — before you fully commit.
A Representative Office gives your company a legal presence in Vietnam without incorporating a new entity. You operate in your parent company's name — conducting research, building relationships, and promoting your brand.
An RO is a dependent unit with no independent legal status. No share capital, no board, no corporate income tax. It's the fastest, simplest way to test Vietnam before committing to full incorporation.
RO vs. LLC
An RO cannot trade, issue invoices, or generate revenue. It's for presence and promotion only. If your goal is to sell in Vietnam, you need a company or Branch. Not sure which fits? Forra will advise before you apply.
Why Companies Choose the RO Route
Presence in Vietnam, without the overhead.
01
Fastest route to a legal presence
4–6 weeks from start to licence — significantly faster than company incorporation.
02
No capital requirement
No charter capital, no investor registration, no equity structure to set up.
03
Exempt from corporate income tax
ROs don't generate taxable profit, so CIT does not apply. Minimal ongoing tax obligations.
04
Hire staff immediately
Both Vietnamese and foreign employees permitted — foreign staff require work permits.
05
Multiple ROs nationwide
One RO per province — no nationwide cap on the total number of ROs.
Permitted Scope of Activity
What an RO can and can’t do.
The activities of a Representative Office are defined by law. Understanding the boundaries up front avoids costly missteps later.
An RO can
Permitted activities
- Conduct market research and feasibility studies
- Promote your products, services and brand
- Act as a liaison and build commercial relationships
- Source suppliers and monitor contract performance
- Open a bank account in the RO’s name
- Employ Vietnamese and foreign staff (with work permits)
An RO cannot
Outside the licence
- Sell goods or services directly
- Issue invoices or generate revenue
- Sign commercial contracts in its own name
- Carry out manufacturing or processing
- Receive funds other than from its parent company
Eligibility Requirements
Can you establish one?
01
One year of operation
Your parent company must have been legally established and operating for at least one year before applying.
02
Valid business registration
A certificate of incorporation (or equivalent) from your home country, legalised and translated.
03
Defined RO activities
The intended scope must fall within the permitted, non-commercial activities of a Representative Office.
04
A registered office address
A lawful address in Vietnam — a virtual or shared address is acceptable in most provinces.
05
A nominated chief representative
One individual appointed to head the RO. They cannot concurrently be the legal representative of the parent company in certain cases.
How Forra Establishes Your RO
One process, every stage — start to finish.
Stage 01
Eligibility
We confirm your parent company qualifies and produce a tailored checklist of exactly what to prepare.
Day 1–3
Stage 02
Legalisation
Corporate documents are notarised, legalised (apostille or consular) and certified-translated into Vietnamese.
Week 1–2
Stage 03
Filing
We compile and lodge the full dossier with the provincial Trade Authority on your behalf, in Vietnamese.
Week 2–3
Stage 04
Issuance
The RO establishment licence is granted — statutory processing is up to 7 working days once the dossier is complete.
Week 4–5
Stage 05
Setup
Seal registration, tax code, bank account and the chief representative’s work permit — everything needed to operate.
Week 5–6
Choosing the Right Structure
RO, company or branch?
A side-by-side look at the three most common ways to enter the Vietnamese market.
| Feature |
Representative Office
This page
|
Company (LLC)
|
Branch Office
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Can generate revenue | No | :Yes | :Yes |
| Corporate income tax | Exempt | Applies | Applies |
| Charter capital required | None | Yes | None |
| Setup timeline | 4–6 weeks | 6–12 weeks | 8–14 weeks |
| Separate legal entity | No | :Yes | No |
| Licence validity | 5 years | Indefinite | 5 years |
| Best for | Research & promotion | Trading & operations | Direct local business |
Swipe to compare · figures are typical and vary by province and activity
After You’re Established
Staying compliant.
An RO carries lighter obligations than a company — but they’re real. Forra can manage all of these for you on an ongoing basis.
Annual activity report
Submit a yearly report on the RO’s operations to the licensing authority before the statutory deadline.
Chief representative presence
The chief representative must be present in Vietnam; an authorised substitute is needed for extended absences.
Personal income tax & payroll
Withhold and remit PIT for staff, and maintain compliant employment and social-insurance records.
Licence renewal
The RO licence is valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiry to avoid a lapse in legal status.
Frequently Asked
Questions about ROs.
How long does it take to set up a Representative Office?
Typically 4–6 weeks end-to-end. Once a complete dossier is filed, the authority issues the licence within up to 7 working days; the rest is document legalisation and post-licence setup.
Can a Representative Office earn revenue?
No. An RO is a non-commercial presence. It cannot sell, invoice, or sign commercial contracts in its own name. If you need to trade, a company or branch is the right structure.
Does an RO pay tax in Vietnam?
An RO is exempt from corporate income tax because it generates no taxable profit. It must still withhold and remit personal income tax for its employees and meet payroll obligations.
How long is the RO licence valid?
Five years, and it is renewable. Forra tracks the expiry and handles renewal before the deadline so your legal status never lapses.
Can foreigners be employed by an RO?
Yes. An RO can employ both Vietnamese and foreign nationals. Foreign employees, including the chief representative, require valid work permits, which Forra arranges.
Can my company have more than one RO?
Yes. You may establish one RO per province, with no cap on the total number nationwide — useful if you need a presence in several regions.
Get your RO open in 4–6 weeks.
Book a free call. We'll confirm eligibility, explain exactly what documents you need, and give you a fixed-fee quote — no commitment required.
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