When Must a Company Carry Out the Name-Change Procedure?

Short answer: A company must register a change of name when the General Meeting of Shareholders/Members’ Council/owner decides to rename — this is a change of enterprise registration contents that must be registered. In practice, a company should also rename when: the current name duplicates/causes confusion and a change is requested; the name violates regulations (using state agency names, prohibited words); for brand repositioning; or after merger or a change of owner. The new name must not duplicate or cause confusion; after renaming, seals, invoices, and licenses must be updated in sync. Legal basis: Articles 37–39 of the Law on Enterprises 2020 (as amended by Law No. 76/2025/QH15); Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP.

Legal basis

• The Law on Enterprises 2020, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 76/2025/QH15 — Articles 37–39 (enterprise names); provisions on registering changes to enterprise registration contents;
• Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration.

When must the company-name change procedure be carried out?

1. The company voluntarily decides to rename

This is the most common case: the owner/Members’ Council/General Meeting of Shareholders decides to rename for strategic reasons (brand repositioning, post-M&A, change of owner…). Once decided, the company must register the name change with the Business Registration Office — it may not continue using the old name on legal documents.

2. Required to rename due to naming violations

A name that duplicates or causes confusion with a previously registered enterprise (discovered later); a name violating prohibitions (using state agency or political organization names without approval; words offending fine customs) — the business registration authority requires the enterprise to rename; non-compliance is penalized and may lead to certificate revocation.

3. Conflicts with intellectual property rights

A company name infringing another organization or individual’s protected trademark — the trademark owner may require the enterprise to cease use and rename under IP law.

4. After enterprise reorganization

Mergers, consolidations, or type conversions may be accompanied by a renaming to unify the brand.

Procedures for registering a name change

Step 1. Adopt the renaming decision

The competent body adopts the new name; amends the charter.

Step 2. Check the new name

Search on the National Portal for Enterprise Registration (no duplication, no confusion) and search trademarks.

Step 3. Submit the dossier

• A notice of change of enterprise name in the prescribed form;
• The decision and meeting minutes on the renaming; the amended charter;
• Submitted to the Business Registration Office; the time limit is 03 working days.

Step 4. Post-renaming updates

Seals, e-invoices, digital signatures, bank accounts, sectoral licenses, signboards, the website; notify partners, customers, and the tax authority.

What if the required renaming is not done?

• Administrative penalties in the planning and investment field;
• The Enterprise Registration Certificate may be revoked;
• In trademark infringement cases: lawsuits and claims for damages under IP law.

Frequently asked questions

Does renaming change the tax code?

No. The enterprise code (which is also the tax code) remains unchanged.

Do contracts signed under the old name remain valid?

They remain valid — the company inherits all rights and obligations; no re-signing is needed.

Can a company be forced to rename after years of operation?

Yes — if the name is found to violate regulations (duplication, trademark infringement), the competent authority/rights holder may still require a renaming.

Notes on applying current regulations

Renaming is a change of the legal brand — the trademark and domain names should be checked simultaneously before finalizing the new name for comprehensive protection. Where renaming is required, it should be done promptly to avoid penalties. Contact an ANT Legal lawyer at 0966.475.966 for advice.

Common risks to note

• The new name still duplicates/causes confusion — the dossier is refused;
• Non-compliance with a renaming requirement — penalized, license revoked;
• Infringing another enterprise’s trademark;
• Failure to update consistently after renaming.

How ANT Legal can help

ANT Legal advises on cases requiring renaming, searches names and trademarks; carries out the renaming registration procedure; advises on handling renaming requirements or trademark disputes. For prompt advice, please contact a lawyer at 0966.475.966.

Related articles

• Procedures for changing/adding business lines of a joint stock company (latest)
• Procedures for registering a change of enterprise name of a joint stock company
• Procedures for registering a change in charter capital of a single-member LLC
• Guide to changing capital-contributing members of a multi-member LLC (latest)
• Procedures for changing the owner of a single-member LLC