What Foreign Investors Should Know Before Opening a STEAM Center for Children in Vietnam

What Foreign Investors Should Know Before Opening a STEAM Center for Children in Vietnam

The rapid rise of STEAM education and children’s coding programs has encouraged many foreign investors to explore establishing STEAM centers in Vietnam. But what legal requirements must be met? How do you obtain the correct education licenses and operate the center legally? This article provides a step-by-step overview of what you need to prepare.

Legal Requirements for Foreign Investors Opening a STEAM Center in Vietnam

Foreign investment in technology education is growing quickly, especially in children’s STEAM centers. However, the licensing conditions in Vietnam are highly specific, and many investors may not fully understand them. Before setting up the facility, it is essential to understand the regulations governing education services, investment restrictions, facility conditions, and required legal procedures.

Education Services Are Restricted for Foreign Investors

STEAM training, technology skills, and children’s coding programs fall under the category of “continuing education.” For foreign investors, this sector requires both an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) and an education operation license. Licensing conditions include: compliant training objectives, an approved curriculum, qualified teachers, and facilities meeting child-safety standards. These are key elements that must be prepared early to avoid application rejection.

Facility Requirements and Curriculum Standards

When applying to open a STEAM center, the authorities will evaluate not only your legal documents but also your physical infrastructure. Classroom size, practice areas, safety conditions, programming equipment, and experimental materials must meet required standards. The curriculum must be age-appropriate, transparent, and compliant with Vietnam’s education content regulations. Many foreign investors face application delays because their documents or facility standards do not meet local requirements.

Licensing Procedures for Foreign Investors Establishing a STEAM Center

Once basic conditions are satisfied, foreign investors must undergo the legal process to obtain approval to establish and operate the center. Each stage requires precise documentation, especially when applying for the education operation license—the most important license for STEAM centers.

Step 1: Obtain an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) and Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)

For foreign investment in Vietnam, this is the first step. Investors must demonstrate financial capability, business objectives, the scope of STEAM activities, and an operational plan. After the IRC is issued, the investor applies for the ERC to officially establish the legal entity. Clearly specifying the education business lines at this stage is essential for meeting requirements later when applying for the education license.

Step 2: Apply for the Education Operation License for the STEAM Center

This is the most critical step. Authorities will evaluate the center based on the curriculum, teacher qualifications, facility conditions, enrollment procedures, and overall teaching capability. For foreign investors, preparing these documents can be complex due to differences between local regulations and foreign education models. This is why many investors work with investment lawyers or consulting firms to ensure smooth approval.

Once the education operation license is issued, the STEAM center is officially allowed to enroll students and operate.

Optimal Solutions for Foreign Investors Opening STEAM Centers in Vietnam

Foreign investors often face legal risks when navigating these procedures without proper regulatory knowledge. Working with an experienced law firm specializing in foreign investment helps reduce processing time and avoid mistakes.

Benefits of Professional Legal Consultation

A qualified legal team can assist with: regulatory assessment, curriculum compliance, teacher documentation, facility review, and preparation of all applications required for the education license. This significantly reduces the risk of rejection or repeated amendments.

Why DEDICA Law Is the Right Choice for Foreign Investors

DEDICA Law’s corporate and investment lawyers have extensive experience in technology-education projects, including STEAM centers and children’s coding centers. We provide full-process support: investment model consultation, curriculum compliance, licensing procedures, government liaison, and ongoing operation support. This allows foreign investors to focus on education quality while we handle complex legal procedures.

With Vietnam’s growing demand for children’s STEAM programs, now is the ideal time to invest in this field.

If you are planning to open a STEAM center in Vietnam and are concerned about investment registration, education licensing, or compliance standards, we can help.

Contact DEDICA Law Firm for expert legal consultation!
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