Tiếng Việt
中文International multimodal transport business is a conditional business line: an enterprise must hold a License for international multimodal transport business to operate. The governing legal framework is Decree No. 87/2009/ND-CP and Decree No. 144/2018/ND-CP. Note: following the organizational restructuring, the state management function for transport now rests with the Ministry of Construction (the Ministry of Transport no longer exists).
1. What is multimodal transport?
Under Article 2 of Decree No. 87/2009/ND-CP, multimodal transport is the carriage of goods by at least two different modes of transport on the basis of a single multimodal transport contract. International multimodal transport is multimodal transport where goods are carried from a place in one country to a place in another country. The multimodal transport operator is responsible for the goods throughout the carriage under the signed contract.
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Commercial Contracts
If you are preparing to sign, review or handle a dispute arising from a contract, ANT Legal can help assess key terms, legal risks and suitable handling options.
2. May one operate without a License?
No. International multimodal transport business falls within the list of conditional business lines. An enterprise must satisfy the conditions (on finance, liability insurance, facilities, etc.) and be issued a License for international multimodal transport business before operating. Operating without a License may be subject to administrative penalties and suspension of operations under the law.
3. License application procedure and dossier
Dossier for License application: under Article 6 of Decree No. 87/2009/ND-CP as amended by Article 1 of Decree No. 14/2026/ND-CP (effective from 15 January 2026), the enterprise submits one set of documents directly at the one-stop division of the Ministry of Construction, by post, or via the National Public Service Portal, comprising: the application for a License for international multimodal transport business in the form at Appendix I; audited financial statements (where not audited, a guarantee from a bank/organization/individual or an alternative financial plan as prescribed). The Ministry of Construction appraises the dossier and issues the License when conditions are satisfied; in case of refusal, it must notify in writing and clearly state the reasons. The enterprise may only operate after being issued the License.
Notes on applying current legal provisions
This article is presented for reference purposes, helping readers understand the legal issue at a general level. Specific conditions and the receiving authority may change with the current organizational structure. Where you need to determine the exact conditions and procedures for your enterprise, please contact an ANT Legal lawyer at 0966.475.966 for review and advice before proceeding.
Common risks to watch for
- Filing the dossier with the Ministry of Transport (which no longer exists after restructuring).
- Operating before being issued the License.
- Failing to maintain liability insurance during operations.
- Applying instruments that have expired or have not been updated with amendments.
How can ANT Legal help?
ANT Legal advises on conditions for multimodal transport business, drafts dossiers, and represents clients in license application procedures. For prompt advice, please contact our lawyers at 0966.475.966.
Frequently asked questions
Does international multimodal transport business require a license?
Yes. This is a conditional business line; an enterprise must hold a License for international multimodal transport business to operate. The governing legal framework is Decree No. 87/2009/ND-CP and Decree No. 144/2018/ND-CP.
What does the License application dossier comprise?
The application for a License for international multimodal transport business in the form at Appendix I; audited financial statements (where not audited, a guarantee from a bank/organization/individual or an alternative financial plan) — under Article 6 of Decree No. 87/2009/ND-CP, as amended by Article 1 of Decree No. 14/2026/ND-CP (effective from 15 January 2026).
With which authority is the License application filed?
The Ministry of Construction — following the organizational restructuring, the state management function for transport now rests with the Ministry of Construction (the Ministry of Transport no longer exists).
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