Who Issues the Outward Investment Registration Certificate in Vietnam?

Quick answer: The issuance, adjustment and termination of the validity of the Outward Investment Registration Certificate fall under the authority of the Ministry of Finance, under the Law on Investment 2025 (No. 143/2025/QH15, effective from 01/03/2026).

Which authority grants the Outward Investment Registration Certificate?

Under Article 42 of the Law on Investment 2025, the Ministry of Finance issues, adjusts and terminates the validity of Outward Investment Registration Certificates for offshore investment projects with a capital level prescribed by the Government or projects in conditional offshore investment sectors (banking; insurance; securities; press, radio and television; real estate business — Clause 1, Article 41 of the Law on Investment 2025). For offshore investment projects of large scale or projects proposed to apply special support mechanisms, the Ministry of Finance reports to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval before issuing or adjusting the certificate (Clause 2, Article 42).

Note: offshore (outbound) investment is governed directly by the Law on Investment 2025 and the Government’s decree on offshore investment guiding the Law. Decree 96/2026/ND-CP guides investment in Vietnam only and does not apply to offshore investment. The expired Decree 31/2021/ND-CP no longer applies.

Dossier for applying for the Outward Investment Registration Certificate

The dossier follows the Law on Investment 2025 and the Government’s decree on offshore investment guiding the Law, typically including: the application for the Certificate; copies of the investor’s legal documents; the offshore investment decision; a written commitment to self-arrange foreign currency or a credit institution’s commitment to arrange foreign currency; and other documents as prescribed. Investors should check the current text of the guiding decree for the exact dossier composition before filing.

Note on agency names after the 2025 administrative restructuring

From 2025, the Ministry of Planning and Investment merged with the Ministry of Finance to form the Ministry of Finance; local Departments of Planning and Investment merged into Departments of Finance. When consulting older documents still referring to the “Ministry of Planning and Investment”, it should be understood as the current Ministry of Finance.

Applicable legal basis

• Law on Investment 2025 (No. 143/2025/QH15, effective from 01/03/2026) — Articles 41 and 42.
• The Government’s decree on offshore investment guiding the Law on Investment 2025.

Note on Applying Current Legal Regulations

This article is part of the Disputes & Debt Knowledge series and is presented for reference purposes, helping readers understand the legal issue at a general level before preparing documents or entering into transactions.

Legal regulations may change depending on timing, locality, document type, and specific circumstances. If you need to determine the exact legal basis applicable to your file, please contact ANT Legal’s lawyers at 0966.475.966 for verification and advice before proceeding.

Common Risks to Note

• Applying an outdated, amended, or replaced legal instrument.
• Preparing incomplete dossiers, documents, or evidence.
• Misunderstanding the conditions, procedures, time limits, or competent authorities.
• Signing, filing, or entering into transactions without fully assessing legal risks.

How Can ANT Legal Help?

ANT Legal supports reviewing specific situations, checking dossiers, identifying the applicable legal basis, advising on handling options, and representing clients in dealings with individuals, organizations, or competent authorities when necessary.

For prompt advice, please contact our lawyers at 0966.475.966.

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This article was reviewed by ANT Legal’s AI Legal Council under a 7-step internal process (cross-checked against current law — the Law on Investment 2025, effective 01/3/2026). This is not confirmation that a human lawyer has reviewed your specific case.