Is it necessary to meet any special conditions to open a corporate gift manufacturing workshop in Vietnam?
The demand for corporate gifting is growing rapidly, opening up significant opportunities for anyone wanting to start in the corporate gift manufacturing field. However, many still wonder whether opening a workshop to produce such items is considered a restricted business sector, and whether any additional licenses or special conditions are required.
Is corporate gift manufacturing considered a conditional business activity?
Under the current Investment Law, the list of conditional and prohibited business sectors is clearly defined. Corporate gift production—which includes crafting souvenirs, manufacturing backpacks, fabric bags, ceramic mugs, laser‑engraved wooden items, gift boxes, etc.—does not fall within any restricted or specially controlled category.
This means that a business can open a workshop to produce corporate gift products without needing additional sub‑licenses, unless the products involve food, chemicals, or import‑related elements.
When registering your business, you simply need to choose appropriate industry codes, such as:
Manufacture of plastic products
Manufacture of other metal products not elsewhere classified
Manufacture of wooden products, bamboo, rattan
Printing and related services
Metal machining; metal treatment and coating
Depending on the type of gift products you manufacture, the registration code may differ. To avoid future risks, it’s wise to consult a reputable legal advisor to choose the correct code from the start.
Legal considerations when opening a corporate gift workshop
Besides industry code registration, what other legal aspects should your business consider?
Workshop location considerations
One of the most important preparations is the site and related documentation. If you rent a facility, the lease agreement must be rigorously drafted and clearly state the purpose as “business production.” When building or renovating a workshop, ensure the site aligns with land-use zoning and is legally permitted as a production facility.
If your workshop is located in an industrial park, there’s typically support from the park management for construction permits and fire safety approvals. If it’s in a residential zone, you must take precautions against noise, dust, and emissions to avoid administrative fines or forced shutdowns for environmental violations.
Trademark registration for your gift products
Many businesses overlook registering trademarks for their gift lines, risking design theft or loss of brand ownership—especially if you're planning to develop OEM (custom-designed) products for corporate clients.
Registering your trademark not only protects your intellectual property but also enhances professionalism and trust with partners and corporate customers. It’s best to register at the launch of your first design and specify the product categories.
OEM manufacturing contract as a risk‑mitigation tool
Receiving custom orders is common in corporate gift production. Unfortunately, many small workshops rely only on emails or messages without formal contracts, which poses risks—from clients canceling orders, refusing payment, to product quality disputes.
A proper OEM contract should outline: design, quantity, unit price, timeline, material responsibilities, quality standards, payment terms, and dispute resolution mechanisms. This legal basis is crucial for protecting your business in any situation.
Should you form a company or remain a sole household business?
A common question when starting a workshop is whether to form a limited liability company (LLC) or register as an individual household business.
If you plan long-term, building a brand and selling to major companies, forming an LLC is optimal. It provides a legal entity, easier contract signing, VAT invoicing, company bank accounts, hiring staff, and scaling production.
In contrast, a household business suits small-scale or home-based operations. But it has no legal entity, leaves you personally liable, and limits operational scope.
In summary, an LLC helps you:
Protect personal assets from legal risk
Increase credibility with corporate clients
Gain flexibility in invoicing, taxation, and hiring
Conclusion
Starting a corporate gift manufacturing workshop is feasible and promising. Not only is it not a restricted industry, but it’s also legally encouraged. However, to grow sustainably and avoid legal issues, take a serious approach from the start—choose the right industry code, sign proper contracts, register trademarks, and set up transparent business operations.
With years of experience supporting production businesses and foreign-invested enterprises, DEDICA Law Firm stands ready to help you build a solid legal foundation for your business idea. From company formation and trademark registration to contract advice and dispute resolution—we accompany you every step of the way.
Contact DEDICA Law Firm for professional legal consultation!
Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (WhatsApp, WeChat, Zalo)
Head Office: 144 Vo Van Tan St., Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
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