Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination not only for regular tourists but also for businesspeople and international organizations through the MICE tourism model — an acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions. Among these, investing in a convention center combined with MICE tourism presents a major opportunity for both domestic and foreign investors.

Vietnam’s MICE tourism market – An under‑exploited gold mine

MICE tourism is considered one of the tourism segments with the strongest growth potential in Vietnam, especially in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. The rapid development of transportation infrastructure, airports, five‑star hotels, along with government support policies, has created a favorable ecosystem for developing high‑end convention centers.

Moreover, the trend of combining business and leisure has become dominant in the post‑pandemic period. Companies and foreign organizations increasingly demand to hold international events, specialized conferences, and large‑scale exhibitions in Vietnam. This requires venues that are professional, modern, and with multifunctional integration.

However, as of now, the supply of MICE convention centers in Vietnam remains modest, mostly concentrated in large cities, and not yet capable of meeting international standards. That is precisely why investing in this field is being viewed as a long‑term game full of potential.

Opportunities for developing resort‑integrated MICE convention centers

What sets modern MICE centers apart is that they not only provide event space, but also integrate lodging, dining, entertainment, and wellness services. Such resort‑conference complexes have proven effective in Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea.

In Vietnam, growing interest in resort real estate, especially in tourist‑potential cities like Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, etc., provides favorable conditions for forming large‑scale MICE complexes. Early investment can help businesses capture market share and benefit from investment incentive policies in infrastructure and tourism sectors.

Legal procedures for investing in a MICE convention center in Vietnam

To implement a MICE tourism convention center project, investors must comply fully with legal regulations related to investment, construction, land, environment, and tourism. Below are some important legal procedures:

Investment registration and establishment of the investor entity

The first step is preparing investment registration documents in Vietnam. If the investor is an individual or foreign legal entity, they need to apply for an Investment Registration Certificate at the Department of Planning and Investment where the project is located.

Once the investment policy is approved, the company establishes a legal entity—typically a limited liability company or joint stock company—to carry out the project.

Land law and planning legality

Because convention centers often require large land areas, investors need to carefully research land‑use planning, urban development plans, or tourism zone planning. If the land is not available, the entity must request land allocation, land lease, or acquire land‑use rights from other organizations or individuals.

Depending on locality and project nature, approval of a 1/500 planning scheme might be mandatory before issuing the construction permit.

Construction permitting and project design procedures

After securing land legally, the business must apply for a Construction Permit, accompanied by foundational design documentation consistent with standards for public service structures, fire safety, environmental protection, etc.

Modern MICE centers typically integrate multiple components such as auditoriums, hotels, restaurants, exhibition halls, so they require a clear master design to avoid issues during appraisal.

Business registration and tourism service licensing

A MICE convention center not only operates in real estate but also includes conditional business lines such as event organization, travel services, lodging, restaurants. Hence, the enterprise must register additional business lines and apply for corresponding sub‑licenses.

Furthermore, if catering to international guests, it must comply with security, fire prevention, customer insurance, and register with the National Tourism Administration under the Tourism Law.

Legal advisory as the key factor for project success

It cannot be denied that Vietnam’s legal system is still evolving and there remain many inconsistencies across sectors. Therefore, investors are easily exposed to procedural barriers or unexpected demands from regulatory authorities.

Partnering with an experienced legal advisory firm from the start helps businesses:

Formulate a comprehensive legal roadmap for the MICE project from investment preparation to operation.
Review planning and land documents to ensure eligibility to execute the project.
Optimize permitting timelines, avoiding overlap among procedures.
Minimize legal risks during construction and business exploitation.

With strengths in legal advisory in investment, real estate, and MICE tourism, DEDICA Law Firm commits to being a trusted partner for investors to realize high‑quality convention center projects in Vietnam.

A resort‑integrated MICE convention center is not only a high‑profit business model but also contributes to elevating national image, promoting trade and international cooperation. Investing in this sector requires thorough preparation and strict compliance with current legal regulations. DEDICA Law Firm is always ready to accompany investors at every strategic step, from concept to reality, to transform MICE projects into internationally distinguished works in Vietnam.

Contact DEDICA now for comprehensive legal investment advice and effective implementation solutions.
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