Business Licenses and Business Conditions Advisory

Incorporating a company is only the first step — to operate lawfully, a business must also satisfy the business conditions of each line of business and obtain the corresponding sub-licenses. Missing a license is a common reason businesses get fined or suspended within their first year of operation.

Conditional Lines of Business

The list of conditional lines of business is set out in Appendix IV of the Law on Investment 2020 (over 200 lines of business). Business conditions may include: licenses, certificates of eligibility, practicing certificates, statutory capital, or requirements on physical facilities. A business must satisfy the conditions and maintain them throughout its operations — not only when applying for the license.

Common Sub-Licenses

  • Employment: employment service operation license; labor subleasing license;
  • Tourism and travel: domestic/international travel service business certificate;
  • Transport: road transport business license;
  • Security, order, and fire safety: certificate of eligibility for security and order; fire prevention and firefighting approval;
  • Food: certificate of food safety eligibility;
  • Education, healthcare, advertising: operation licenses by sector.

Registering the Right Industry Codes — The First Step

At incorporation, the business registers its lines of business under the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification (VSIC 2025) issued with Decision 36/2025/QD-TTg, effective from 15/11/2025. Registering complete and correct industry codes helps: identify which lines are conditional so licenses can be prepared; avoid having to register additional lines when expanding operations; and work more smoothly with banks and partners.

Consequences of Missing Licenses

  • Administrative fines under each specialized sector;
  • Fixed-term suspension of operations and an order to obtain the missing licenses;
  • Signed contracts risk being partially invalidated if operations exceed the permitted scope;
  • Ineligibility for bidding or cooperation with major partners.

How Does ANT Legal Assist?

  • Reviewing lines of business and identifying all required conditions and licenses;
  • Preparing dossiers and representing clients in applying for new licenses, renewals, and amendments;
  • Building a periodic compliance calendar (license renewals, sector reports);
  • Advising on handling inspections and administrative fines.

Related Content

Not sure your business has all the required licenses? Contact ANT Legal via Hotline/Zalo 0966.475.966 for a review and advice on license applications and renewals.

This content is for general reference only and does not replace legal advice for a specific case. Business conditions vary by line of business.

Discuss this matter with ANT Legal

If your business is preparing an application, amendment, business line registration or licensing review, ANT Legal can help check the file and execution path.

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Frequently asked questions

When should I contact a lawyer?

When a matter has deadlines, high value, multiple parties or requires risk review before signing, negotiating, complaining or filing a claim.

What should I prepare?

Please prepare contracts, licenses, charter documents, resolutions, evidence, correspondence and key dates if available.

Does ANT Legal guarantee an outcome?

No. Legal advice depends on the specific file, evidence, applicable rules and any competent authority decision.

Website information is for general reference only and does not replace legal advice for a specific matter.