Setting Up a Business in Vietnam's Free Zones: 2026 Guide

Vietnam currently hosts nearly 450 industrial zones covering over 93,000 hectares, along with dozens of export processing zones, high-tech parks, and coastal economic zones. Foreign manufacturers and trading companies continue to pour into these specialized areas. However, the regulatory landscape shifted significantly in 2026.

The era of "locate anywhere and get automatic tax breaks" has ended. Under Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Law No. 67/2025/QH15, incentives now depend heavily on what you manufacture, your specific location, and how technologically advanced or environmentally friendly your operations are. This guide explains the different types of free zones in Vietnam, highlights the most popular zones for foreign investors, breaks down available tax incentives, outlines the step-by-step setup procedure, and details key compliance obligations for 2026.

What Types of Free Zones Exist in Vietnam?

Vietnam utilizes several overlapping zone types. Understanding these distinctions is critical, as each carries different regulatory requirements, customs obligations, and tax incentive eligibility:

• Industrial Zones (IZs): Geared toward general manufacturing for both the domestic and export markets. This is the most common zone type, with over 400 active zones nationwide. Standard incentive eligibility is now conditional based on sector and location under CIT Law 67/2025.
• Export Processing Zones (EPZs): Customs-separated areas where 100% of the output must be exported. Enterprises here cannot sell to the Vietnamese domestic market without paying import duties. Benefits include full input duty exemptions but require stricter, day-to-day customs supervision.
• High-Tech Parks: Designated specifically for qualifying technology enterprises (e.g., AI, semiconductors, software, biotechnology). The most generous CIT incentives (10% rate, 4+9 tax holiday) apply here. Locations are primarily limited to Hoa Lac (Hanoi), Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
• Coastal Economic Zones (EZs): Large, multi-functional hubs combining industrial, commercial, residential, and tourism areas. Dinh Vu–Cat Hai (Hai Phong) and Chu Lai (Quang Nam) are prominent examples, governed by their own management boards with streamlined approval processes.

Which Four Zones Are the Most Popular for Foreign Investors?

Not all industrial parks offer the same advantages. The table below compares four strategically important zones for foreign manufacturers:

What Tax Incentives and Benefits Are Available?

Under the reformed incentive framework (CIT Law 67/2025/QH15, Decree 320/2025), here are the key incentives available and the conditions that apply:

Critical 2026 Change: CIT Law 67/2025 abolished automatic preferential rates for investments in standard industrial zones. Incentives are now strictly granted based on your specific sector and whether you are in an especially difficult socio-economic area, high-tech park, or centralized IT zone.

How Do You Set Up a Business in a Free Zone Step by Step?

Setting up a legal entity is the mandatory first step before operating inside any Vietnamese free zone.

1. Determine your legal entity type: Choose between a 100% foreign-owned LLC or a Joint Venture based on sector restrictions and capital requirements. You must have a legal entity registered in Vietnam before operating inside a zone.
2. Obtain an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC): Submit your investor profile, investment proposal, financial capacity proof, and site plan to the Zone Management Board or DPI. (Timeline: 15–30 working days).
3. Obtain an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC): Issued by the Business Registration Office. Requires the IRC, corporate charter, and legal representative details. (Timeline: 3–5 working days).
4. Sign factory lease or land use agreement: Negotiate lease terms with the industrial zone developer. Ensure the land use purpose matches your IRC/ERC.
5. Register for taxes, e-invoicing & social insurance: Obtain your tax code, digital signature (e-token), set up e-invoicing (Decree 70/2025), and register with Vietnam Social Security (VSS).
6. Apply for sector-specific sub-licenses (if required): Depending on your industry, obtain Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals, Fire Safety certificates, or Food Safety licenses.
7. Customs registration: Register with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC). EPZ enterprises must establish a separate customs area.
8. Commence operations: Ensure ongoing compliance with monthly/quarterly tax filings, minimum wage updates, and modern accounting standards (Circular 99/2025).

What Are the 2026 Compliance Obligations?

Free zone companies face the same core obligations as all Vietnamese enterprises, alongside zone-specific requirements:

• VAT: Monthly or quarterly declaration. (Standard rate 10%, temporarily reduced to 8% for eligible goods until Dec 31, 2026).
• CIT & PIT: Quarterly provisional CIT payments; monthly PIT withholding; and annual finalizations for both within 90 days of the fiscal year-end. Updated PIT deductions apply from Jan 2026.
• E-invoicing: Mandatory issuance of XML format e-invoices under Decree 70/2025/ND-CP.
• Accounting: Transition to Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC (replacing Circular 200) featuring a flexible chart of accounts and an IFRS-aligned framework.
• EPZ-Specific: Strict quarterly and annual customs declarations, physical goods tracking, and in-zone customs supervision compliance.
  

Secure Your Manufacturing & Trading Setup

We help prepare and review the required corporate and investment documents, guide clients through each step of the zone selection and licensing process, and support timely compliance with tax, customs, and environmental regulations. With clear guidance and practical support, we help make your market entry efficient and fully compliant from start to finish.

How Can We Help:

Ascentium Vietnam provides end-to-end support for foreign investors setting up in Vietnam's free zones, including:

• Zone Selection Advisory: Matching your sector, scale, and logistics requirements to the right zone type and location.
• Company Incorporation: Preparing and submitting your IRC and ERC dossiers for industrial zones and high-tech park projects.
• Tax Incentive Assessment: Mapping your project against CIT Law 67/2025 and conducting GMT planning for large MNE groups.
• Licensing & Permits: Coordinating EIAs, fire safety approvals, sector-specific sub-licenses, and EPZ customs registration.
• Ongoing Compliance: Managing your monthly/quarterly tax filings, payroll, e-invoicing, and transition to Circular 99/2025 accounting standards.

Let Us Help You Establish Your Operations Seamlessly

Frequently Asked Questions