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Buy a Company in Vietnam
Acquire an existing Vietnam company with support across due diligence, ownership transfers, regulatory requirements, and post-acquisition compliance.
How We Support Company Acquisitions
We help businesses assess acquisition opportunities, understand transaction requirements, and prepare for ownership transition.
Review the Right Business Fit
Start by assessing whether the target company matches your intended business activity, market entry goals and operating plans in Vietnam. This includes reviewing the sector, customer base, revenue profile and future growth potential.
Check the Company’s Value
Review the company’s financial position, assets, liabilities and expected earnings before agreeing on price. A clear valuation helps you negotiate with better information and avoid overpaying.
Complete Due Diligence
Before the transfer, review the company’s legal, tax, financial and operational records. This helps identify possible risks linked to licences, contracts, filings, employees, facilities or past compliance issues.
Manage the Transfer and Handover
Once the terms are agreed, complete the required legal, financial and licensing steps for the transfer. Company records, ownership details and key documents should then be updated so the business can continue operating smoothly.
Common Acquisition Structures in Vietnam
Different acquisition structures offer different ownership, licensing, and operational considerations for foreign investors entering Vietnam.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The most common acquisition structure for foreign investors entering Vietnam.
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Suitable for most business activities
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Flexible ownership arrangements
- Can be wholly foreign-owned in many sectors
- Commonly used for trading, services, and manufacturing
Joint Stock Company (JSC)
Suitable for businesses seeking a broader shareholder structure or future capital raising opportunities.
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Minimum three shareholders
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Easier share transfers
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Supports business expansion and investment
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Often used by larger organisations
Foreign-Invested Enterprise (FIE)
A foreign-invested enterprise with existing registrations, licences, and operational infrastructure.
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Existing foreign investment structure
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May already hold IRC and ERC registrations
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Suitable for expansion and market-entry strategies
- Requires review of regulatory and compliance records
Local Vietnamese Company
An established local business with an existing presence in the Vietnam market.
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Existing operating history
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Local customer and supplier relationships
- May hold sector-specific licences
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Requires careful due diligence before acquisition
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The most common acquisition structure for foreign investors entering Vietnam.
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Suitable for most business activities
-
Flexible ownership arrangements
- Can be wholly foreign-owned in many sectors
- Commonly used for trading, services, and manufacturing
Joint Stock Company (JSC)
Suitable for businesses seeking a broader shareholder structure or future capital raising opportunities.
-
Minimum three shareholders
-
Easier share transfers
-
Supports business expansion and investment
-
Often used by larger organisations
Foreign-Invested Enterprise (FIE)
A foreign-invested enterprise with existing registrations, licences, and operational infrastructure.
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Existing foreign investment structure
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May already hold IRC and ERC registrations
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Suitable for expansion and market-entry strategies
- Requires review of regulatory and compliance records
Local Vietnamese Company
An established local business with an existing presence in the Vietnam market.
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Existing operating history
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Local customer and supplier relationships
- May hold sector-specific licences
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Requires careful due diligence before acquisition
Acquisition Support Services in Vietnam
From evaluating acquisition opportunities to supporting ownership transitions, our services help businesses navigate key stages of the acquisition process.
Target Company Review
Company Valuation Support
Legal and Corporate Due Diligence
Legal and Regulatory Due Diligence
Post-Acquisition Compliance Setup
Why Businesses Choose Ascentium
We help businesses evaluate acquisition opportunities, navigate ownership transitions, and prepare for operations in Vietnam.
We help you understand the practical steps involved in acquiring a company in Vietnam, including ownership transfer, business licensing and post-purchase updates.
Before you proceed, we support checks on the company’s records, licences, tax position, liabilities and compliance history
We help set realistic expectations on the purchase process, documentation, filing steps and possible regulatory timelines.
Our team supports smoother communication between investors, local parties and professional advisors during the acquisition process.
What You Need to Get Started
The information required will depend on the acquisition target, ownership structure, and transaction scope.
Key Information
- Target company name and business activities
- Acquisition objectives and expansion plans
- Available information on ownership structure
- Existing licences, permits, or regulatory approvals
- Basic financial and operational information, where available
- Identification documents for individual investors
- Corporate documents for corporate investors
Additional Considerations
- Foreign ownership restrictions may apply in certain sectors
- Regulatory approvals may be required for some acquisitions
- Existing liabilities and compliance obligations should be reviewed
- Ownership transfers may require updates to company records and registrations
Key Information
- Target company name and business activities
- Acquisition objectives and expansion plans
- Available information on ownership structure
- Existing licences, permits, or regulatory approvals
- Basic financial and operational information, where available
- Identification documents for individual investors
- Corporate documents for corporate investors
Additional Considerations
- Foreign ownership restrictions may apply in certain sectors
- Regulatory approvals may be required for some acquisitions
- Existing liabilities and compliance obligations should be reviewed
- Ownership transfers may require updates to company records and registrations
Buy a Company in Vietnam, Guided by Professionals
Move forward with clearer due diligence, smoother ownership transfer and practical setup support from experienced Vietnam incorporation professionals.
Related Corporate Services in Vietnam
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Foreign investors can acquire existing companies in Vietnam, subject to foreign ownership restrictions and industry-specific requirements. The acquisition structure, approval requirements, and ownership limits will depend on the target company's business activities and operating sector.
What should I consider before buying a company in Vietnam?
Before proceeding with an acquisition, investors should review:
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Ownership structure
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Business licences and permits
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Financial records
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Tax position
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Existing contracts
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Employment obligations
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Compliance history
Before proceeding with an acquisition, investors should review:
- Ownership structure
- Business licences and permits
- Financial records
- Tax position
- Existing contracts
- Employment obligations
- Compliance history
A thorough review helps identify potential risks and supports more informed decision-making.
Incorporation involves establishing a new legal entity, while an acquisition involves taking ownership of an existing company.
Acquiring a company may offer:
- Faster market entry
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Existing licences and registrations
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Established operations and infrastructure
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Existing customer and supplier relationships
The most suitable approach depends on your commercial objectives, timeline, and business activities.
Due diligence is one of the most important stages of the acquisition process. It typically includes a review of corporate records, licences, financial statements, tax filings, contracts, assets, liabilities, and regulatory compliance matters.
The scope of the review will vary depending on the nature and size of the transaction.
The timeline depends on the target company, the scope of due diligence, and any regulatory approvals required. While new company setups in Vietnam typically take around 4 to 8 weeks, acquiring an existing company may reduce the time required to establish an operational presence, particularly where the business already has the necessary registrations and infrastructure in place.
Businesses should still allow sufficient time for due diligence, ownership transfer procedures, and any post-acquisition updates.
The capital requirements will depend on the business activity and company structure. For example, many Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) do not have a prescribed minimum capital requirement, while certain regulated sectors and publicly traded Joint Stock Companies may be subject to additional capital requirements. Investors should assess both the capital structure and future funding requirements before completing an acquisition.
Insights & Resources
Speak to a Vietnam Company Acquisition Specialist
Complete the form and our Vietnam team will contact you.