Establishing a Business Location: Notification Time Limit and Template

Within 10 days from the date of deciding on the business location, a joint-stock company must notify the business location to the Business Registration Office under Clause 5, Article 45 of the Law on Enterprises 2020. The notification dossier is prepared using the template issued with Decree 168/2025/ND-CP.

1. Within what time limit must a joint-stock company notify the Business Registration Office when establishing a business location?

The time limit for a joint-stock company to notify the Business Registration Office when establishing a business location is prescribed in Article 45 of the Law on Enterprises 2020 as follows:

Article 45. Registration of operation of branches and representative offices of enterprises; notification of business locations

1. Enterprises have the right to establish branches and representative offices domestically and abroad. Enterprises may locate one or more branches or representative offices in a locality according to administrative unit boundaries.

2. Where establishing domestic branches or representative offices, enterprises shall send dossiers for registration of operation of branches or representative offices to the Business Registration Office of the locality where the branch or representative office is located. The dossier comprises:

a) The notice of establishment of the branch or representative office;

b) A copy of the establishment decision and a copy of the meeting minutes on the establishment of the branch or representative office of the enterprise; a copy of the personal legal documents of the head of the branch or representative office.

3. Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Business Registration Office shall be responsible for reviewing the validity of the dossier and issuing the Certificate of operation registration of the branch or representative office; where the dossier is invalid, the Business Registration Office must notify in writing the contents requiring amendment or supplementation to the enterprise. In case of refusal to issue the Certificate of operation registration of the branch or representative office, it must notify the enterprise in writing and clearly state the reasons.

4. Enterprises shall be responsible for registering changes to the contents of the Certificate of operation registration of branches or representative offices within 10 days from the date of change.

5. Within 10 days from the date of deciding on the business location, the enterprise shall notify the business location to the Business Registration Office.

6. The Government shall detail this Article.

Under the above regulations, a joint-stock company is responsible for notifying the business location to the Business Registration Office within 10 days from the date of deciding on the business location.

2. Template of the notice of registration of operation of a business location of a joint-stock company

The template of the notice of registration of operation of a business location follows the forms issued with Decree 168/2025/ND-CP. The notice is signed by the legal representative of the enterprise, clearly stating the business location name, address, business lines, and information of the head of the business location (if any).

Note: A business location is not an independent legal entity like a branch; the enterprise only carries out the notification procedure (not registration for a Certificate) to the Business Registration Office.

3. How is the naming of a business location of a joint-stock company regulated?

The naming of business locations is prescribed in Article 40 of the Law on Enterprises 2020 as follows:

Article 40. Names of branches, representative offices and business locations

1. Names of branches, representative offices and business locations must be written in letters of the Vietnamese alphabet, the letters F, J, Z, W, digits and symbols.

2. Names of branches, representative offices and business locations must include the enterprise name together with the phrase “Branch” for branches, the phrase “Representative Office” for representative offices, and the phrase “Business Location” for business locations.

3. Names of branches, representative offices and business locations must be written or affixed at the head offices of the branches, representative offices and business locations. Names of branches and representative offices shall be printed or written in a smaller font size than the Vietnamese name of the enterprise on transaction documents, dossiers and publications issued by the branches or representative offices.

Notes on applying current legal regulations

This article belongs to the Enterprise Knowledge group and is presented for reference purposes, helping readers understand the legal issue at an overview level before preparing dossiers or conducting transactions. Legal regulations may vary depending on time, locality, dossier type and specific circumstances. Where it is necessary to determine the exact legal basis applicable to your dossier, please contact an ANT Legal lawyer at 0966.475.966 for review and advice before proceeding.

Common risks to note

• Applying a legal document that has been amended, supplemented or replaced.
• Exceeding the 10-day time limit from the date of deciding on the business location without notifying the Business Registration Office.
• Naming the business location incorrectly (missing the phrase “Business Location” together with the enterprise name).
• Confusing the business location notification procedure with the operation registration procedure for branches and representative offices.

How can ANT Legal help?

ANT Legal helps review specific situations, check dossiers, identify applicable legal bases, advise on handling options, and represent clients in dealings with individuals, organizations or competent authorities when necessary. For quick advice, please contact our lawyers at 0966.475.966.

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