Licenses and permits in Vietnam.
Licenses and permits for a business in Vietnam
I. Certificate (Permit) of Compliance with Fire Safety Requirements
II. Certificate of Compliance with Food Safety Requirements
III. Environmental Permits for Businesses
IV. Alcohol Sales License
V. Certificate of Compliance with Security and Public Order Requirements
I. FIRE SAFETY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (PERMIT) IN VIETNAM
One of the most common questions asked by foreign investors and entrepreneurs is:
Is it necessary to obtain a fire safety permit to operate a business in Vietnam?
The answer depends on three main factors:
- type of business activity;
- characteristics of the premises;
- number of visitors.
If you are opening:
- a restaurant;
- a café;
- a hotel;
- a manufacturing facility;
- a warehouse;
then, in most cases, fire safety requirements will apply.
If you are renting a small office or a retail space, a separate approval procedure may not be required. An accurate assessment can only be provided after analyzing the premises and the planned business activities.
Fire safety matters in Vietnam are regulated by the Law on Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue 2024 and Decree No. 105/2025/NĐ-CP, which establishes the procedures for its implementation.
The applicable requirements depend on the purpose of the facility, its area, number of floors, number of occupants, fire hazard classification, and other technical characteristics.
Depending on the type of business activity, an enterprise may be required to:
- obtain approval of fire safety design solutions (during construction, renovation, or major refurbishment of a facility);
- undergo acceptance inspection by fire safety authorities before putting the facility into operation;
- ensure that the premises comply with fire safety requirements and provide the necessary documents during inspections;
- comply with fire safety regulations during ongoing operation of the facility.
Therefore, the need to obtain fire safety approvals and related documents depends not only on the type of business but also on the specific characteristics of the premises.
Which businesses must comply with special fire safety requirements
Fire safety requirements most commonly apply to the following facilities:
- educational institutions, kindergartens, and training centers;
- medical facilities, clinics, and dental clinics;
- hotels, serviced apartments, guest houses, and motels;
- restaurants, cafés, bars, and food service establishments;
- shopping centers, supermarkets, markets, and retail stores;
- cinemas, theaters, concert venues, karaoke establishments, nightclubs, and other facilities with large numbers of visitors;
- office buildings of certain sizes and floor capacities;
- manufacturing facilities;
- warehouses and logistics complexes;
- facilities storing flammable substances, gases, and chemical products.
For small offices, retail stores, and service businesses, a separate approval procedure may not be required; however, such businesses must still comply with applicable fire safety regulations.
What documents are required to obtain a Fire Safety Compliance Certificate in Vietnam
The list of required documents depends on the category of the facility and the nature of the business activity.
As a general rule, the following documents may be required:
- application form in the prescribed format (where such administrative procedure is required by law);
- Enterprise Registration Certificate;
- documents confirming the legal right to use the premises (lease agreement or ownership documents);
- fire protection system design documents (if required);
- fire evacuation plans;
- documents related to installed fire safety equipment;
- documents confirming the installation and commissioning of fire alarm systems, automatic fire suppression systems, and smoke extraction systems (where mandatory);
- internal fire safety regulations and instructions;
- appointment order for the person responsible for fire safety;
- documents confirming that responsible employees have completed fire safety training;
- records of fire safety briefings and maintenance of fire protection systems.
In certain cases, fire safety authorities may request additional documents depending on the specific characteristics of the facility.
What is checked during a fire safety inspection
After reviewing the submitted documents, the competent authority may conduct an on-site inspection of the premises.
During the inspection, the following aspects may be evaluated:
- compliance of the building with fire safety requirements;
- availability and accessibility of evacuation routes;
- functionality of emergency lighting systems;
- availability and condition of fire extinguishers;
- operation of fire alarm and fire suppression systems (where required);
- presence of evacuation plans;
- preparedness of employees to respond in case of fire;
- compliance with other mandatory legal requirements.
If violations are identified, the enterprise receives an instruction to correct the deficiencies. After the issues are resolved, a repeated inspection may be conducted.
Processing time
The processing time depends on the type of administrative procedure and the category of the facility.
On average, preparation of documents and completion of the required approval procedures takes from 7 to 15 working days, excluding the time required to correct any deficiencies identified during the inspection.
Important considerations
In practice, most delays occur not because of company documents, but because the premises do not meet fire safety requirements. Very often, entrepreneurs sign a lease agreement and only afterwards discover that the premises cannot be used for their intended business activity without expensive reconstruction or additional modifications. We recommend involving specialists at the stage of selecting a property in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and delays when launching a business.
Nine Points Consulting supports clients from the initial assessment of the premises through completion of all required administrative procedures. We help determine which fire safety requirements apply specifically to your facility, prepare the necessary documentation, coordinate communication with government authorities, and assist in completing the procedures required by Vietnamese law to obtain documents confirming compliance with fire safety requirements.
Cost of services from 1500 USD.
Our experts will advise you on all issues related to obtaining licenses and permits for your business in Vietnam. This will save you time and money.
You can book a consultation by following the link below.
Book a consultation with an expert on obtaining licenses and permits for business in Vietnam
II. FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE IN VIETNAM
If your company is involved in the production, processing, storage, transportation, or sale of food products, Vietnamese legislation may require obtaining a Certificate of Food Safety Eligibility.
The main legal framework governing this area is the Law on Food Safety of Vietnam (Law on Food Safety), together with related implementing regulations.
It should be noted that not all businesses are required to obtain this certificate. Vietnamese legislation provides exemptions for certain types of activities; therefore, the requirement to obtain the certificate must be assessed individually, taking into account the nature of the business, production processes, and types of products sold.
Who is required to obtain the certificate
In most cases, the certificate is required for businesses engaged in:
- restaurants, cafés, bars, and food service establishments;
- food production;
- food processing;
- beverage production;
- bakery and confectionery production;
- centralized food preparation kitchens;
- food storage and handling activities;
- certain types of food trading activities.
However, certain business entities may be exempt from the obligation to obtain the certificate if they meet the conditions established by law.
Requirements for the enterprise
To obtain the certificate, the enterprise must ensure that its premises and production processes comply with food safety and hygiene requirements.
During the application review and inspection process, the competent authority evaluates:
- sanitary conditions of production and storage areas;
- compliance of equipment with food safety requirements;
- organization of raw material and finished product storage;
- availability of measures to prevent cross-contamination;
- employee personal hygiene standards;
- availability of internal food safety control procedures;
- compliance with requirements for water supply, ventilation, lighting, and waste disposal.
Failure to comply with any mandatory requirement may result in refusal to issue the certificate.
Required documents
Depending on the type of business activity and the competent authority, the required document package may vary.
As a general rule, the following documents are required:
- application form in the prescribed format;
- Enterprise Registration Certificate;
- documents confirming the legal right to use the premises;
- description of the production process or service process;
- layout plan of the premises showing functional areas;
- list of equipment used for food production or preparation;
- documents confirming that employees have completed food safety training (where required by law);
- medical examination certificates for employees directly involved in food handling;
- other documents required by legislation for the specific type of business activity.
In certain cases, the competent authority may request additional information or supporting documents.
Certificate validity period
The Certificate of Food Safety Eligibility is valid for 3 years.
To continue operating after the expiration date, the enterprise must submit an application for renewal in a timely manner before the certificate expires.
Practical recommendations
In practice, the main difficulties usually arise not during document preparation, but during the inspection of the actual business premises.
Reasons for refusal may include:
- unsuitable premises layout;
- lack of separation between different production areas;
- failure to comply with sanitary requirements;
- improper organization of food production or preparation processes.
Therefore, we recommend assessing whether the premises comply with applicable legal requirements before signing a lease agreement or starting renovation works. This helps avoid additional costs related to reconstruction and significantly reduces delays when launching a business.
Nine Points Consulting helps clients determine whether their business requires a Food Safety Compliance Certificate, conducts preliminary assessments of business premises, provides consultations on applicable legal requirements, assists with preparation of the required documentation, and supports communication with competent government authorities.
Cost of services from 900 USD.
III. ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS FOR BUSINESSES IN VIETNAM
Depending on the type of business activity, scale of the project, and level of environmental impact, an enterprise may be required to obtain one of the following documents:
- Environmental License;
- Environmental Registration;
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) — for large-scale investment projects.
For many small businesses, such as offices, retail stores, consulting companies, or service businesses, obtaining a separate environmental permit may not be required.
Which businesses are required to obtain environmental documents
The obligation to obtain environmental documents depends on the category of the project and the nature of its activities.
Environmental requirements most commonly apply to:
- manufacturing enterprises;
- food processing enterprises;
- certain categories of food service establishments;
- hotels and tourism complexes;
- warehouses and logistics facilities;
- raw material processing enterprises;
- chemical production facilities;
- facilities generating industrial wastewater, atmospheric emissions, or significant volumes of waste.
Applicable requirements
When determining whether environmental documentation is required, competent authorities assess:
- the nature of the enterprise’s activities;
- types and volumes of generated waste;
- the presence of wastewater and wastewater treatment systems;
- atmospheric emissions;
- noise and vibration levels;
- measures for handling municipal and industrial waste;
- compliance of the facility with environmental protection legislation.
In certain cases, enterprises may be required to enter into agreements with specialized organizations for waste collection, operation of treatment systems, or disposal of specific types of waste.
Required documents
The list of required documents depends on the type of environmental procedure and the specific characteristics of the project.
As a general rule, the following documents may be required:
- application form in the prescribed format;
- Enterprise Registration Certificate;
- documents confirming the legal right to use the land plot or premises;
- description of the technological process;
- information about the business and production activities;
- information regarding sources of emissions, wastewater, and waste generation;
- site layout plan;
- documents confirming the implementation of environmental protection measures (where applicable);
- other documents required by law for the relevant category of project.
The competent authority may request additional information depending on the specific nature of the enterprise’s activities.
Facility inspection
Where required, authorized government authorities may conduct an inspection of the enterprise.
During the inspection, the following aspects may be evaluated:
- compliance of the facility with environmental requirements;
- compliance with waste management requirements;
- organization of chemical storage (if applicable);
- compliance with wastewater treatment requirements;
- compliance with environmental protection regulations during business operations.
If violations are identified, the enterprise may receive an order to remedy the deficiencies or may be refused the relevant environmental approval until the identified issues are resolved.
Practical recommendations
Many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that environmental requirements apply only to large industrial enterprises. In practice, environmental compliance obligations may also apply to restaurants, food production businesses, hotels, and other commercial facilities depending on the nature and scale of their activities.
To avoid delays when launching a business, we recommend determining in advance which environmental requirements apply specifically to your project. Such an assessment allows you to identify whether environmental permits are required, plan necessary environmental protection measures, and avoid additional costs after the business has started operating.
Nine Points Consulting conducts legal assessments of business projects, determines whether environmental permits are required, provides consultations on applicable legal requirements, assists with preparation of the necessary documentation, and supports communication with competent government authorities throughout all stages of the procedure.
Cost of services from 2000 USD.
IV. ALCOHOL SALES LICENSE IN VIETNAM
The sale of alcoholic products in Vietnam is a regulated business activity. For certain categories of alcoholic products, Vietnamese law requires obtaining a license before starting business operations.
The licensing procedure is regulated by Decree No. 105/2017/NĐ-CP (as amended by Decree No. 17/2020/NĐ-CP), which establishes requirements for the production, import, wholesale, and retail sale of alcoholic products.
When a license is not required
Current legislation provides certain exceptions to the general licensing requirement.
In particular, obtaining an alcohol sales license is not required for the sale of:
- beer;
- alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 5.5% ABV.
Despite the absence of a licensing requirement, businesses must still comply with other applicable regulations, including requirements related to food safety, consumer protection, product labeling, taxation, and trading regulations.
When a license is required
A license is required for the sale of alcoholic products with an alcohol content of 5.5% ABV or higher, including:
- wine;
- sparkling wine;
- rice wine;
- liqueurs;
- vodka;
- whisky;
- rum;
- gin;
- brandy;
- cognac;
- tequila;
- other distilled alcoholic beverages.
Is the alcohol sales license different for a shop and a restaurant?
Yes. Vietnamese legislation provides different types of licenses depending on the method of selling alcoholic products.
A Retail Alcohol Sales License is issued to shops, supermarkets, and other retail establishments selling alcohol directly to consumers for consumption outside the place of sale.
A License for On-Premises Sale of Alcoholic Products is issued to restaurants, bars, hotels, and other food service establishments where alcoholic beverages are consumed directly at the business premises.
If a business plans to combine several types of activities, for example, a restaurant with a wine shop or a retail store with a tasting area, licensing requirements should be assessed individually.
Main requirements
To obtain a license, an enterprise must comply with the requirements established by law, including:
- having a registered business entity;
- having a legal right to use the premises;
- having a fixed business location;
- having contracts or other documents proving the lawful source of alcoholic products purchased from licensed manufacturers, importers, or distributors;
- complying with specific legal requirements applicable to the relevant type of business activity.
Required documents
As a general rule, the following documents are required for obtaining the license:
- application form in the prescribed format;
- Enterprise Registration Certificate;
- documents related to the premises;
- documents confirming the lawful origin and supply source of alcoholic products;
- other documents required by law.
The list of required documents may vary depending on the type of license and the specific characteristics of the business activity.
Processing time
When a complete set of documents is submitted, the application is generally reviewed within 10 working days.
Practical recommendations
In practice, the most common mistake is incorrectly determining whether a license is required. For example, if a business sells only beer or alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 5.5% ABV, obtaining an alcohol sales license is generally not required.
However, if the business expands its product range and starts selling wine, distilled spirits, or other alcoholic products subject to licensing requirements, the enterprise must obtain the appropriate license before starting such activities.Therefore, before registering a company or opening a business establishment, it is recommended to determine the planned product range and assess the applicable legal requirements in advance.
Nine Points Consulting helps businesses determine whether an alcohol sales license is required, analyze the range of alcoholic products to be sold, verify compliance of the premises with legal requirements, prepare the necessary documentation, and support communication with competent government authorities.
The cost of services starts from 1200 USD (the price does not include adding a type of activity).
V. SECURITY AND PUBLIC ORDER COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE IN VIETNAM
For certain types of business activities, Vietnamese legislation requires obtaining a Certificate of Satisfaction of Security and Order Conditions. This document confirms that the enterprise complies with state requirements and is authorized to conduct business activities subject to enhanced public security requirements.
The procedure for issuing this certificate is regulated by Decree No. 96/2016/NĐ-CP (as amended and supplemented by current regulations).
Which types of businesses are required to obtain the certificate
The certificate is required only for certain types of business activities specified by Vietnamese legislation.
These include, in particular:
- hotels, accommodation facilities, motels, and guest houses;
- karaoke establishments;
- nightclubs;
- security service companies;
- pawnshops;
- enterprises involved in the production, repair, or sale of specialized technical equipment;
- businesses operating with explosives, chemicals, or other potentially hazardous substances;
- certain types of entertainment activities.
Not all businesses are required to obtain this certificate.
For example, the activities of ordinary offices, consulting companies, or general trading companies generally do not fall under the requirements for obtaining this certificate.
Processing time
When a complete set of documents is submitted, the application is generally reviewed within 5 working days.
Practical recommendations
In practice, many entrepreneurs discover the requirement to obtain this certificate only after registering their company or starting business operations. As a result, the launch of the business may be delayed until the required procedures are completed.
In addition, for certain types of activities, obtaining this certificate may only be possible after obtaining other mandatory permits, such as documents confirming compliance with fire safety or food safety requirements. Therefore, we recommend determining at the company registration stage whether the requirements of Decree No. 96/2016/NĐ-CP apply to your business and preparing the necessary documentation in advance.
Nine Points Consulting helps businesses determine whether they are required to obtain a Certificate of Satisfaction of Security and Order Conditions, analyzes applicable legal requirements, prepares the necessary documentation, and coordinates communication with competent government authorities.
Cost of services from 1000 USD.