Tiếng Việt
中文Short answer: Adding a conditional business line is done in 2 steps: (1) notify the addition of the business line to the Business Registration Office (enterprise registration procedure — the enterprise is registered); (2) fully meet the conditions under sectoral regulations and operate only when the conditions are met. Some lines require a license (must be obtained before operating); others apply ex-post inspection (may operate but must maintain the conditions and undergo inspection). The list of conditional business lines is in Appendix IV of the Law on Investment 2020. Legal basis: the Law on Investment 2020 (as amended by Law No. 57/2024/QH15); the Law on Enterprises 2020 (as amended by Law No. 76/2025/QH15); Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP.
Legal basis
- The Law on Investment 2020, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 57/2024/QH15 — Article 7 and Appendix IV (list of conditional business lines);
- The Law on Enterprises 2020, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 76/2025/QH15;
- Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration.
Distinguishing: registration vs. permission to operate
| Ordinary business lines | Conditional business lines | |
|---|---|---|
| Registering the addition | Notification suffices | Notification suffices |
| Permitted to operate | Immediately after registration | Only when conditions are fully met |
| License | Not required | Some lines require pre-licensing; others are ex-post inspected |
Common groups of business conditions
- Licenses: sectoral business licenses (e.g., travel business, transport, education…);
- Practicing certificates: of managers or professional heads (e.g., pharmacy practice, auditing, law…);
- Statutory capital: minimum capital levels under sectoral regulations;
- Facilities and equipment: meeting prescribed standards (e.g., medical examination and treatment facilities, schools…);
- Personnel: minimum headcount and qualifications;
- Plans and schemes: safety assurance plans, fire prevention and fighting…
Procedures for adding a conditional business line
Step 1. Review the conditions
Look up Appendix IV of the Law on Investment and sectoral documents to determine: whether the line falls on the conditional list; what the specific conditions are; which authority grants the license.
Related services
Business Licenses and Conditional Business Sectors
If your business is preparing an application, amendment, business line registration or licensing review, ANT Legal can help check the file and execution path.
Step 2. Notify the addition of the business line
Submit the notice of change/addition of business lines to the Business Registration Office; the time limit is 03 working days.
Step 3. Fulfill the conditions and obtain the license
- Prepare the dossier to apply for the license/certificate under sectoral regulations;
- For pre-inspection lines: the license must be obtained before operating;
- For ex-post inspection lines: may operate but must maintain the conditions and undergo inspection.
Step 4. Maintain the conditions
Business conditions must be maintained throughout the operation; periodic reports are required under sectoral regulations.
Important notes
- Do not operate before meeting the conditions — violations are penalized and may lead to suspension or license revocation;
- The list of conditional business lines is regularly reviewed and trimmed — check the current version; do not apply an outdated list;
- Remove conditional business lines no longer operated to reduce the compliance burden;
- Conditional business lines + foreign investment: must also meet market-access conditions for foreign investors.
Frequently asked questions
Will the registration of a conditional business line be refused for lack of a license?
No. The Business Registration Office does not require a license when registering the addition; the license is a condition for operation, managed by the sectoral authority.
How is operating without meeting the conditions penalized?
Administrative penalties apply under sectoral regulations; the fine depends on the field and may be accompanied by suspension or license revocation.
How do I know whether my business line is on the conditional list?
Look up Appendix IV of the Law on Investment 2020 (the current version) or have a lawyer review it.
Notes on applying current regulations
Business conditions are the “technical barrier” that changes most often in the legal system — enterprises expanding into new fields should review the conditions before investing. Contact an ANT Legal lawyer at 0966.475.966 for a business-condition review.
Common risks to note
- Operating without meeting the conditions — penalized, suspended;
- Applying an outdated list of conditional business lines;
- Failure to maintain the conditions after being licensed;
- Failure to distinguish pre-inspection from ex-post inspection.
How ANT Legal can help
ANT Legal reviews the list and business conditions by sector; carries out the procedure to add business lines; applies for sectoral licenses. For prompt advice, please contact a lawyer at 0966.475.966.
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