“I am a foreign citizen and have just inherited shares in a Vietnamese company from a deceased relative. However, when I contacted the company, I was informed that in addition to the inheritance procedures, I may also have to complete procedures related to foreign business and investment. So, what procedures do foreigners need to follow to inherit shares in a Vietnamese company?”
1. Can foreigners inherit shares in a Vietnamese company?
In principle, shares or capital contributions legally owned by a deceased person can be inherited.
Foreign individuals who inherit these assets may still be considered for this inheritance. However, being officially named in the business depends on the type of company, its business sector, and regulations related to foreign investors. In some cases, inheriting shares does not automatically mean that shareholder or company member information is immediately updated in the company's records.
2. Why are business procedures necessary in addition to inheritance procedures?
Unlike ordinary assets such as money or real estate, company shares are linked to management rights, voting rights, and the ownership structure of the business.
After identifying the beneficiaries of the inheritance, the business usually needs to carry out internal procedures or procedures for registering changes in information according to current business and investment laws.
Especially for businesses with foreign investment or those operating in conditional business sectors, reviewing the foreign ownership ratio is crucial.
3. What should be prepared in this case?
The heir should thoroughly review the inheritance documents, papers proving their right to inherit, and other documents related to the business before proceeding with the share transfer procedure.
In addition, it is necessary to check the company's charter, the list of current shareholders or members, and the applicable legal regulations for foreign investors in each specific case.
A thorough assessment from the outset will help mitigate risks that may arise when updating ownership information or carrying out business-related procedures later on.
Contact DEDICA Law Firm for expert legal advice!
📞 Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (Support available via WhatsApp, WeChat, and Zalo)
🕒 Opening hours: Monday – Friday (8:30 AM – 6:00 PM)
Contact us today for a free initial consultation with our team of professional lawyers!
