ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

LEGAL PROCEDURES POST LICENSING IN VIETNAM

After establishing a company in Vietnam, the compay has to perform a number of legal procedures for compliance purpose.

First, they have to declare the license tax. The tax declaration should be submitted to tax authorities. If the taxpayer has branch in the same province, the tax declarations of the branch should be submitted to the taxpayer’s tax authority. On the other hand, if the taxpayer has branch in another province, the tax declarations of the branch should be submitted to the tax authority of the branch. In case when the taxpayer does not have a permanent business location, the tax declaration should be submitted to the sub-department of taxation where the business is located or where the taxpayer resides. License tax is submitted annually and if the taxpayer has declared and paid license tax, he is not required to submit license tax declaration in the next year if the amount of license tax payable is not changed. In case the taxpayer amount of license tax payable in the next year is changed, tax declaration shall be submitted by December 31st of that year.
Second, the enterprise has to conduct the VAT (value added tax) declaration. The taxpayer that has just begun his business shall declare VAT quarterly. In the next calendar year after 12 months of business, VAT declarations shall be declared whether monthly or quarterly depending on the revenue from the sale of goods and/or services in the preceding calendar year (12 months). VAT shall be declared monthly or quarterly throughout the calendar year and the 3-year period. For example, the first stable period begins on October 1st, 2014 and ends on December 31st 2016.
Third is the CIT declaration (corporate income tax). The CIT declaration should be submitted to the supervisory tax authorities. According to business result, the taxpayer shall make the quarterly tax payment within 30 days of quarter succeeding the quarter in which tax is incurred; they shall not submit the provisional CIT declaration quarterly.
The fourth is the invoice printing. Before the placing first order for invoices, the company must send a written request for permission to use ordered invoices to the supervisory tax authority. Before the business uses invoices for its sale of goods and services, except for invoices purchased from or provided by the tax authority, the business have to send a notice of invoice publication together with a sample invoice to the tax authority.
Every quarter, seller of goods and services shall submit the invoice using report to the tax authority, even when there are no invoices have been used during the period. The report of the first quarter shall be submitted by April 30th, second quarter by July 30th, third quarter by October 30th, and forth quarter by January 30th of the next year. If no invoices are used during the period, the quantity of used invoices in the report shall be zero (0).
The fifth is the bank account. The opening of bank account to conduct transaction with customer is necessary because according to the ministry of Finance, the invoice valued of 20 million VND or above should be transferred through bank. Within 10 days from the day that enterprise opens bank account, the company have to notify the bank account number to the competent tax agency.


The sixth also the last one is labour and social insurance. If the contract between enterprise and employee has duration of over 3 months, it is subjected to compulsory social insurance.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

PROCEDURE TO CHANGE BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN VIETNAM

Under the provisions of Paragraph 1, Article 36 of Decree No. 158/2005/ND-CP on the registration and management of civil status, individual can change last name, middle name and first name which were registered in the birth certificate when they have legitimate reason under the provisions of the Civil Code.

The “legitimate reasons” to change the full name is specified in Article 27 of the Civil Code 2005 on the right to change name, which include:
1.Individuals have the right to request the state agency to recognize the changing of their names in the following cases:
a) As requested by the people with names that the use names cause confusion, affect the family love, honor, rights and lawful interests of such persons;
b) As requested by the adoptive father, adoptive mother about changing names for adopted child, or when the adopted child ceases to be adopted and this person or the nature father or nature mother request to regain the name that the nature father and nature mother have set;
c) As requested by the nature father, nature mother or the child when determining the parent for the child;
d) Changing the last name of a child from their father’s to their mother’s or vice versa;
e) Change the names of the person who was lost then found his blood-derived;
f) Changing the names of the person who is redefining gender;
g) Other cases regulated by civil law.
2. The changing of names for the person from nine years old must have the consent of that person.
3. The changing of names of individuals does not affect and terminate the rights and civil obligations established under their old name.
Thus, if the use of your first name, last name and middle name cause confusion, affecting the family love, your honor, rights and lawful interests, causing difficulties in the transaction, you may conduct the name changing.
Procedures to change full name will be performed at the District People’s Committee where you have registered the birth certificate.
Dossier includes:
– Declaration (in the prescribed form);
– Presenting the original birth certificate of the person who need for change names and civil status;
– The relevant documents as a basis for the change or correction of civic status.
Lawyers at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam will be available to assist client to apply birth certificate for new bornobtain a new birth certificatechange names on birth certificatere-issue birth certificate in Vietnam.

HOW TO APPLY FOR BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR NEWBORN IN VIETNAM?

For children of foreigner and Vietnamese born in Vietnam, the procedure to apply for birth certificate in Vietnam is carried out at the Vietnam’s provincial Department of Justice.
How to Apply for Birth Certificate for Newborn in Vietnam?
How to Apply for Birth Certificate for Newborn in Vietnam?
In today’s globalized world, it has become more common that people from different cultural backgrounds travel, and meet their spouse.  Their children were born with happiness however they would face difficulties when applying for birth certificate for the newborn in Vietnam.  For the parents, the difficulties of registering birth certificate in Vietnam could range from the choice of name, nationality, or whether or not the child is born out of wedlock.
When a child between a foreigner and a Vietnamese is born in Vietnam, according to the regulation on the registration and management of civil status, the Department of Justice will be the Vietnam government agency issuing the birth certificate.
In cases where parents choose foreign nationality for the child, they must obtain the agreement of the parents about the choice of nationality. The valid agreement of the parents about the choice of nationality shall be certified by the local authority.
After receiving a application dossier for birth certificate for newborn in Vietnam, civil status officials of the Department of Justice records in the birth registration and original birth certificate. The director of the Department of Justice shall sign and issue an original birth certificate for the newborn.  Copies of birth certificates are issued at the request of the applicant.
For children born out of wedlock, if the father is not identified, the information about the father in the birth registration book and birth certificate are left blank. When the father officially agrees to recognize father for a child, he has to carry out the procedure at the Vietnam’s provincial Department of Justice.  The birth certificate could also be revised to reflect the father’s details into the new birth certificate.  This birth certificate will be very important when the father applies foreign citizenship for the child.
The child can be named according to parental choice to be recorded on the birth certificate.

HOW TO APPLY FOR BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR NEWBORN IN VIETNAM?

For children of foreigner and Vietnamese born in Vietnam, the procedure to apply for birth certificate in Vietnam is carried out at the Vietnam’s provincial Department of Justice.
In today’s globalized world, it has become more common that people from different cultural backgrounds travel, and meet their spouse.  Their children were born with happiness however they would face difficulties when applying for birth certificate for the newborn in Vietnam.  For the parents, the difficulties of registering birth certificate in Vietnam could range from the choice of name, nationality, or whether or not the child is born out of wedlock.
When a child between a foreigner and a Vietnamese is born in Vietnam, according to the regulation on the registration and management of civil status, the Department of Justice will be the Vietnam government agency issuing the birth certificate.
In cases where parents choose foreign nationality for the child, they must obtain the agreement of the parents about the choice of nationality. The valid agreement of the parents about the choice of nationality shall be certified by the local authority.
After receiving a application dossier for birth certificate for newborn in Vietnam, civil status officials of the Department of Justice records in the birth registration and original birth certificate. The director of the Department of Justice shall sign and issue an original birth certificate for the newborn.  Copies of birth certificates are issued at the request of the applicant.
For children born out of wedlock, if the father is not identified, the information about the father in the birth registration book and birth certificate are left blank. When the father officially agrees to recognize father for a child, he has to carry out the procedure at the Vietnam’s provincial Department of Justice.  The birth certificate could also be revised to reflect the father’s details into the new birth certificate.  This birth certificate will be very important when the father applies foreign citizenship for the child.
The child can be named according to parental choice to be recorded on the birth certificate.

CRIMINAL RECORD FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS RESIDING IN VIETNAM

When foreign citizens residing in Vietnam wish to apply and have their criminal record card issued, applicants have to prepare documents as follows:

The case that documents are submitted directly:
  1. A written declaration request for granting the criminal record card according to form
  2. Passport and Visa
  3. Permanent residence card, temporary residence card, temporary residence book or temporary residence certificate of ward, commune or township police.
The case that a person is authorized by the client to submit documents will have to submit additional documents as follows:
  1. A written declaration request for granting the criminal record according to form
  2. Passport and Visa
  3. The original of authorization letter. The case that the person requesting for criminal record card issuance is parents, spouses, children of whom have been granted the criminal record card is not required to have the authorization letter but will be replaced with papers to prove relationship (birth certificate, certificate of marriage)
  4. Identity card (or passport) of authorized person.
Time limit for settling: 10 working days
There will be criminal record form 1 or criminal record form 2 to be requested.
Lawyers at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam will be available to assist client to apply and obtain the criminal record in Vietnam.

HOW TO PREPARE AND FILE A LAWSUIT IN VIETNAM?

If two parties have a dispute over a commercial matter in Vietnam, they should try to resolve disputes through negotiation, or mediation before considering to file a lawsuit against the other at a court in Vietnam.


To implement their right to sue, the plaintiff must prepare and submit the claim at the competent court in Vietnam.  The dispute lawyers in Vietnam with experience and understanding the litigation process should be invited at the early stage to advise, represent and prepare to defend the client.  The claim filing should include the petition and the supporting documents.  The petition is the most important legal document for the court to review and resolve the claim of the plaintiff, as such it should be carefully prepared to meet the requirements of the form, authority, and further contain information about the plaintiff, defendant, summary of the case and the request of the plaintiff.
The contents of the petition must be presented in full, brief, clear, and in logic.  The plaintiff should provide all documents, and evidence to prove the merit of the claim including contract, purchase order, separate terms and conditions, appendixes (if any), minutes of meetings of negotiations, invoices, delivery proof, legal status of plaintiff and defendant, documents to determine the legal status of the representative of the plaintiff such as appointment decision, power of attorney.  In order for the document issued in foreign country to be valid in Vietnam, the documents presented have to be original or notarized, legalized and authenticated copy and translated into Vietnamese in accordance with Vietnam laws.
When the claim has been filed at the competent court in Vietnam provided all conditions of acceptance are met, the court will notify the plaintiff or its representative know the court fees. When the applicant advance the court fee, the case will be recorded and brought into the process for settlement.
At the trial preparation process, the case will be assigned to a judge whom after studying would request parties to present additional necessary papers and documents relating to the case.  Parties or their representative would then be requested to meet the judge to provide further information or testimony or attend reconciliation.  If the disputing parties resolve disputes with each other, the court will make a record to acknowledge the successful reconciliation and issue the decision to recognize the agreement of the parties. Where reconciliation fails, the court records that and shall issue the decision to bring the case to trial.
Disagreements or disputes arise when parties can not agree on issues related to contract provisions, expected outcome or performance starndards…There are cases when the dispute is over a debt obligations matters which a debt recovery law firm could assist at an early stage to manage the collection process pre litigations including negotitions and managing expectations of both sides.    
ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam will be available to assist the clients when required to handle dispute matters out of court, at court or through arbitration in Vietnam.  

HOW TO PROTECT TRADEMARK IN VIETNAM?

Trademark protection in Vietnam is initially obtained through trademark registration.


Trademark opposition could be filed to prevent a pending application for a mark from being granted application.  Litigation is the final measure to handle dispute during trademark protection in Vietnam.
Trademark is a sign that help distinguish the goods or services of one enterprise from those of others. Together with industrial design and patenttrademark of goods and services plays an extremely important role for the growth of the enterprise. Trademark establishes a link between enterprise and customer.  A strong trademark will attract customers to use goods or services. When trademark is popular and economic benefits achieved through sale of goods or provision of services coupled with trademark is large, the violation of trademark is inevitable.
The annual reports of the Vietnam National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP) prove that trademark violation in Vietnam is the most popular, among other industrial property rights.  According to the preliminary annual report in 2011, and 2012, there has been more than 1,000 cases of trademark violations each year.  Report of 2013 shows more than 2,000 trademark infringements were handled with the total fines of trademark violators of around USD 1 million.  Having said that, it is important for trademark owner to register trademarks in Vietnam for better protection.  This is also suggested for even well-known trademarks.
For registration, trademark owner has two options: either directly register trademark in Vietnam by filling an application for registration with the Vietnam NOIP, or seek the protection in Vietnam through Madrid’s system.  For the first option, the trademark owner needs to prepare, file for registration, and pay fee as the requirement of Vietnam Intellectual Property law.  In case trademark needs to be protected in a number of nations, including Vietnam, trademark owner may register trademark through Madrid’s system.
Where the violation of trademark occurs, trademark owner needs to judge the level of infringement, level of damage to choose suitable resolutions.  Initially, the trademark owner may protect by requiring to the trademark violator to terminate the infringing acts, apologize, and rectify. In case of being damaged, trademark owners have rights to claim compensation.  If failing to reach result, trademark owner may use settlement mechanism through negotiation or mediation or could request the competent state agencies to handle acts of infringement through i.e. filling a denunciation application and submitting to the Vietnam NOIP.  Litigation might be required to handle acts of infringement.  Generally, the proceeding of civil litigation is more complex than the arbitration proceeding. In cases the trademark owner needs a decision from court in order to end trademark infringement, civil litigation is top priority. In the remaining cases, arbitration is a better choice with advantages of cheaper cost, shorter settling time, and more flexible.

WHICH AUTHORITY APPROVES BUSINESS SETTING UP IN VIETNAM

Investment projects in Vietnam could be evaluated and approved for business setting-up at top level of the government, at ministerial levels or at the provincial levels.

The licensing authorities for business setting up in Vietnam has been divided to distribute workloads at different state agencies with aim to speed up the process and attract more quality investment projects in Vietnam.
In practice, the process for establishing companies or executing investment projects in Vietnam would take from one month for simple project, three to six month for areas categorized under conditional investment areas, requiring sub-licenses, or additional time for more complicated projects.  At the provincial levels, there might be inconsistency between cities and provinces due to different interpretation of laws.  For investment project with difficulty to manage, the provincial levels would need to consult with technical department of central government agencies, as such the time taken to process the investment certificate would be lengthen.
Understanding the mechanism and the work division of Vietnam authorities that evaluate and approve business licensing at different government agencies would help foreign investors to smoothen the process and improve their experience in Vietnam.
It is notable that, the government level will be focusing on significant projects, in special area at large investment capital with impact on social economic situations.  Most of the investment licensing procedures will be carried out at the provincial levels where the investment projects exist.
The following will point out directions for foreigners to approach respective agencies based on the particular area of interests, scale, and nature of the investment.  However, to avoid delay and increase effectiveness, it is advisable that the foreign clients would consult with Vietnam law firms to help advise and represent them in preparing and executing the investment in Vietnam.
I. Projects evaluated and granted investment licensing at government level
Depending on the business nature, industry sector, investment scale, and investment policy, the Vietnam Prime Minister, on behalf of the government will evaluate and approve investment licensing for setting up business.
1. The investment project in Vietnam the government will evaluate and approve regardless of funding, the scale of investment are in the following areas:
a) Development and commercialization of airports and air transport;
b) Development and commercialization of national port;
c) Exploration, mining and processing of oil and gas; exploration and exploitation of minerals;
d) Radio, television;
e) Casino;
f) Production of cigarettes;
g) Establishment of university level educational institute;
h) Establishment of industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones and economic zones.
2. Although investment projects which do not fall under the cases listed above, but the government of Vietnam also evaluates and approves investment project with investment capital of VND 1,500 billion (around USD 75 mil) upwards regardless of funding and in the following areas:
a) Sales of electricity, mineral processing, metallurgical;
b) Construction of railway infrastructure, roads, inland waterways;
c) Production, sales of wine and beer.
3. Further, the government of Vietnam also evaluates and approve investment projects with foreign investment in the following areas:
a) Maritime transport;
b) Establishment of networks and provision of postal services, courier, telecommunication and internet; network setup and signal transmission;
c) Printing and distribution of newspapers; publication;
d) Establishment of independent scientific research.
4. Where the investment projects specified in the above cases are in the plan which the Prime Minister has approved or authorized other agencies to approve, and that the investment projects meet the conditions prescribed by law and treaties to which Vietnam Nam is a member, the agency granted investment certificates perform the procedure for issuance of investment certificates is not required to submit to the Prime Minister to decide on the investment policy.
5. Where the investment projects specified in the above case is not in the plan which has been approved by the Vietnam Prime Minister or authorized other agency to approve, and that the projects do not meet the conditions for market access provisions in international treaties which Vietnam is a member, the agency granted investment certificates shall consult with other of relevant industries and submit to the Prime Minister for investment policy decision.
II. Projects evaluated and granted investment licensing at ministerial level
1. The Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment shall evaluate and approve licensing for investment projects in the form of BOT, BTO, BT.
2. Other ministries will be evaluating and granting license for investment in some sectors.
a.Vietnam Ministry of Commerce and Industry shall evaluate and approve licensing for investment project in oil and gas sector;
b. Vietnam State Bank shall grant licensing for financial institutions;
c. Vietnam Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for issuing license for investment project of insurance business.
III. Projects evaluated and granted investment licensing at provincial levels
1. Department of Planning and Investment shall be the single point of contact that receive the application and evaluate the investment plan of the foreign investors wishing to establish business in Vietnam for projects
a. Outside of Industrial Zone, Industrial Processing Zone;
b. Infrastructure development project for Industrial Zone, Industrial Processing Zone which management board of industrial zone and industrial processing zone are not yet established.
2. The management board of Industrial Zone, and Industrial Processing Zone:
a. For investment projects within the Industrial Zone, and Industrial Processing Zone which are not under the authority of the Prime Minister;
b. Infrastructure development project to for industrial zone and industrial processing zone.

HOW PATENT ATTORNEY IN VIETNAM COULD HELP?

At ANT Lawyers, we provide Patent attorneys in Vietnamwith specialized qualifications necessary for representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all matters and procedures relating to patent law and practice in Vietnam.


The inventors may obtain a patent in Vietnam without the assistance of a patent lawyer if they wish. However, this is almost full of risks. Ignoring the complexity of filing the registration application, the primary concern is whether an inexperienced inventor can write an application which satisfies rules as the requirement of Vietnam Intellectual Property law.
It can be said that Vietnam intellectual property law and procedure on patent registration are complex. That’s why valuable legal rights can easily be lost if the patent application and prosecution of that application are not handled carefully and precisely by one skilled in such matters. Companies that file lots of patent applications use patent attorneys for a reason that you almost certainly will get a better patent if it is done by a patent attorney.
If the inventor does not work with a patent attorney, some of dangers may occur in registering patent in Vietnam as following:
  • Failure in providing enough file for patent registration;
  • Making inaccurate statement such as incorrect description;
  • Wasting time because the documents is not valid;
  • Loss of patent right because of other patents;
  • Loss of capability on exploiting economic from patent right;
With the above – mentioned risks, patent registration in Vietnam with the assistance of the patent attorney seem to be an effective way to ensure the client’s right.  The patent attorney in Vietnam may help clients obtain patent quickly. The inventor also save time to focus on their core specialization if they use patent filing service.
The patent attorney assist clients as following:
  • Advise about the procedure for registration prior submitting application;
  • Compile all forms related to patent registration procedure;
  • Prepare for registration dossier and conduct the registration;
  • Subscribe to the application already filed and report to clients on the status of the application;
  • Inform, advise and handle mission or refusal of Patent Agency;
  • Get Patent and hand over to clients after receiving patent from patent Agency;
  • Consult clients about the use of the invention, rights and obligations related to invention after successful registration.
All things become easy, convenient and safe if you get the assistance from a patent attorney in patent registration.

NOTE ON SETTING UP A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN VIETNAM

Setting up a representative office is considered one of the simplest forms of investment in Vietnam.


The representative office will help the foreign trader to lease office, hire people, open bank account, and promote the business activities in Vietnam market.  The chief representative if being foreigner will then could apply for work permit and temporary residence card to stay in Vietnam.  There is no income tax as the representative office therefore the liability to maintain a representative office is less hassle.  When the purpose of setting up representative office in Vietnam has been achieved, the closing down of the business shall be not as challenging as closing down a company.
According to Vietnam laws, representative office is a dependent unit, representing the foreign entity’s interests in Vietnam. Representative office is established by foreign entities to help them liaise, implement research activities, provide information and support them in seeking new partners as well as having understanding of the new market.
The foreign entity has to meet certain conditions before setting up representative office in Vietnam. It has rights and duties in accordance with Vietnam laws.
When preparing the application for license of representative office in Vietnam, the foreign entities have to note the following.

Prepare the application forms

The application forms as issued by Ministry of Industry and Trade. The application must be signed by legal representative of the foreign entity;

Notarize, legalize and authenticate documents

The foreign entity has to prepare and provide business registration certificate, audited financial report, charter, and office lease memorandum of understanding, passport of the legal representatives of the Representative Office in Vietnam. The documents issued in foreign countries have to be notarized, legalized and authenticated (apostille procedures) in accordance with Vietnam laws to be used in Vietnam. If the business registration certificate or alternative documents have expiry date for business entity’s operation, the remaining time must be at least one year;

Who should be the chief representative?

The Chief Representative of the Representative Office in Vietnam must be different from the Director of the foreign entity.

How long does it take?

It would take around 20 business days since application until receiving the business operation registration of representative office.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

PATENT REGISTRATION PROCEDURES IN VIETNAM

ANT Lawyers is a patent law firm in Vietnam that can assist client in the patent registration process and other patent relating issues.

Time and procedures for patent registration:
+ The time for form evaluation: 01 months from the date of receipt;
+ The time to publish the application: 18 months from the priority date or the 2nd month after receiving the request for content evaluation;
+ The time for content evaluation: 12 months after receiving the request for content evaluation or the date of publication
+ The time for patent protection is 20 years, for the patent for utility solution is 10 years.
Profile includes:
+ Declaration (02 sheets according to form);
+ Description (02 sheets, including drawings, if any);
+ Request for protection (02 sheets);
+ Relevant documents (if any);
+ Receipt of fees and charges.
Patent registration requirements:
1.Organizations and individuals that meet the following conditions may register for patent:
+ The author created the patent by his efforts and expenses;
+ Organizations and individuals investing in fund and material for the author in the form of contract work, unless the parties have other agreements and that agreements are not contrary to the provisions of law;
+ The case that many organizations and individuals working together to create or invest to create the invention, that organizations and individuals all have the right to register for patent and the registration will be implemented only if all organizations and individuals agree;
+ The case that the invention was created by using the technical facilities and expenses from state budget:
+ The case that the invention was created on the basis of entire state investment funds and technical facilities, the patent registration right belongs to the State. Organizations and state agencies are empowered as investor, representing State to exercise the right to register for patent;
+ The case that the invention was created on the basis of State contributes capitals which are funds and technical facilities, part of the patent registration right corresponding to the proportion of capital contribution will belong to the State. Organizations and Government agencies that are representatives of the State capital will be responsible for implementing the State’s patent registration right;
+ The case that the invention was created on the basis of research and development collaboration between state organizations, agencies and other organizations, individuals, if the cooperation agreement has no other provisions, part of the patent registration right corresponding to the proportion of capital contribution will belong to the State. State organizations and agencies participating in the research and development process will be responsible for implementing the State’s patent registration right.
2. To be granted the patent registration, the applicant must meet the following requirements: new; creative and capable of industrial application.
3. To be granted the patent protection/utility solution, the applicant must meet the following requirements: new and capable of industrial application.

LEGAL PROCEDURES POST LICENSING IN VIETNAM

After establishing a company in Vietnam, the compay has to perform a number of legal procedures for compliance purpose.

First, they have to declare the license tax. The tax declaration should be submitted to tax authorities. If the taxpayer has branch in the same province, the tax declarations of the branch should be submitted to the taxpayer’s tax authority. On the other hand, if the taxpayer has branch in another province, the tax declarations of the branch should be submitted to the tax authority of the branch. In case when the taxpayer does not have a permanent business location, the tax declaration should be submitted to the sub-department of taxation where the business is located or where the taxpayer resides. License tax is submitted annually and if the taxpayer has declared and paid license tax, he is not required to submit license tax declaration in the next year if the amount of license tax payable is not changed. In case the taxpayer amount of license tax payable in the next year is changed, tax declaration shall be submitted by December 31st of that year.
Second, the enterprise has to conduct the VAT (value added tax) declaration. The taxpayer that has just begun his business shall declare VAT quarterly. In the next calendar year after 12 months of business, VAT declarations shall be declared whether monthly or quarterly depending on the revenue from the sale of goods and/or services in the preceding calendar year (12 months). VAT shall be declared monthly or quarterly throughout the calendar year and the 3-year period. For example, the first stable period begins on October 1st, 2014 and ends on December 31st 2016.
Third is the CIT declaration (corporate income tax). The CIT declaration should be submitted to the supervisory tax authorities. According to business result, the taxpayer shall make the quarterly tax payment within 30 days of quarter succeeding the quarter in which tax is incurred; they shall not submit the provisional CIT declaration quarterly.
The fourth is the invoice printing. Before the placing first order for invoices, the company must send a written request for permission to use ordered invoices to the supervisory tax authority. Before the business uses invoices for its sale of goods and services, except for invoices purchased from or provided by the tax authority, the business have to send a notice of invoice publication together with a sample invoice to the tax authority.
Every quarter, seller of goods and services shall submit the invoice using report to the tax authority, even when there are no invoices have been used during the period. The report of the first quarter shall be submitted by April 30th, second quarter by July 30th, third quarter by October 30th, and forth quarter by January 30th of the next year. If no invoices are used during the period, the quantity of used invoices in the report shall be zero (0).
The fifth is the bank account. The opening of bank account to conduct transaction with customer is necessary because according to the ministry of Finance, the invoice valued of 20 million VND or above should be transferred through bank. Within 10 days from the day that enterprise opens bank account, the company have to notify the bank account number to the competent tax agency.
The sixth also the last one is labour and social insurance. If the contract between enterprise and employee has duration of over 3 months, it is subjected to compulsory social insurance.

CONDITIONS FOR ESTABLISHING REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN VIETNAM

Decree No. 07/2016 / ND-CP regulating the Commercial Law regarding representative offices and branches of foreign traders in Vietnam that have recently been issued by the Government.


Accordingly, foreign traders can establish their representative offices and branches in Vietnam under Vietnam’s commitments in international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. A foreign trader cannot establish more than one representative office or branch with the same name within a province or city under central authority.
Foreign traders are licensed to establish representative offices when they meet five conditions:
– Foreign traders can establish and register for business in accordance with law of nation and territories participating in international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, or recognized by the law of those nations and territories.
– Foreign traders that have been in operation for at least one year from the date of establishment or registration.
– In case the certificate of business registration or papers with equivalent value of the foreign traders have prescribed the time limit for operation, then the duration must be at least 1 year from the date of submitting record.
– The operation of the representative office must match the commitment of Vietnam in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member.
– The case where the operation of the representative office is inconsistent with Vietnam’s commitments or foreign traders do not belong to any nations and territories participating in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, the establishment of representative offices must be approved by the Minister of specialized management.
The Decree also stipulates the conditions for foreign traders to be granted licenses to establish their branches. Specifically, foreign traders will be licensed for the establishment of branches when they meet 5 conditions:
– Foreign traders can establish and register for business in accordance with law of nation and territories participating in international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, or recognized by the law of those nations and territories.
– Foreign traders that have been in operation for at least five year from the date of establishment or registration.
– In case the certificate of business registration or papers with equivalent value of the foreign traders have prescribed the time limit for operation, then the duration must be at least 1 year from the date of submitting record.
– The operation of the branch office must be consistent with the market-opening commitments of Vietnam in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, and in line with the business lines of the foreign trader.
– If the content of the branch operation is inconsistent with Vietnam’s commitments or foreign traders do not belong to any nations and territories participating in the international treaties in which Vietnam is a member, the establishment of branches must be approved by the Minister of specialized management.


The license for the establishment of representative office and branch of foreign traders have a term of 5 years but does not exceed the remaining term of the certificate of business registration or papers of equivalent value of the foreign trader in the case that those papers contain provisions on the term.