Procedures and Key Considerations for Foreign Investors Establishing a Mobile App Development Company in Vietnam

Vietnam is quickly becoming a tech destination in Southeast Asia. With a young, dynamic population and one of the fastest-growing internet ecosystems in the world, its mobile app market is increasingly attractive to foreign investors. But to seize this opportunity, you first need to thoroughly understand the legal procedures required to open a company in a way that is both legitimate and efficient.

Let’s join DEDICA on a clear, practical A-to-Z journey designed for foreign investors looking to establish a mobile app development firm in Vietnam—so you don’t feel lost in the administrative maze.

Procedures for Establishing a Foreign-Owned Mobile App Development Company

Unlike starting a purely Vietnamese-owned firm, launching a foreign-invested enterprise in Vietnam demands a longer legal process, especially in tech-related fields. In mobile app development—a sector fully open to foreign investment—investors receive favorable conditions. However, these advantages don’t mean you can skip necessary steps. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you build your company without legal obstacles:

1. Lay the Legal Foundation: Prepare Investment Documents
   As a foreign investor, before applying for a Certificate of Business Registration, you must first secure an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC). Many applicants overlook or improperly complete this step, causing rejections or delays.
   Required documentation includes:

   • Notarized passport copies for individual investors, or business registration certificates for corporate investors

   • Latest financial statements, bank statements, or proof of financial capacity

   • Investment proposal document

   • Office lease agreement or proof of company premises

   • Draft company charter

   • Explanation outlining personnel, technology plan, and projected revenues

2. Register the Business – Official Gateway to Operations
   Once the IRC is granted, the next step is to apply for a Business Registration Certificate (ERC). This legalizes your company as an official entity in Vietnam.
   The industry code “6201 – Computer Programming” is fully open for 100% foreign capital investment. Be sure to state it clearly to avoid later adjustments.
   You will also need to register your company seal, open a bank account, declare initial taxes, and fulfill accounting and tax obligations under Vietnamese law.

Key Considerations for Smooth and Sustainable Investment

Forming a legally-registered company doesn't guarantee smooth operations. Many investors find themselves stuck simply because they overlooked small yet critical details—such as choosing the wrong office location, delaying intellectual property protection, or neglecting subsidiary licenses required when launching your app publicly.

Here, DEDICA shares hands-on experience from real cases we have assisted, designed to help you anticipate risks and manage your company in a smart, cost-effective, and legally compliant way:

1. Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Office Location
   A common error is leasing a virtual office or premises in an area that does not meet legal standards. This can result in investment applications being rejected at the very first step. Your company needs a legal lease contract with a clear address that is not in restricted areas.
   We once supported a Singapore-based tech client (Customer B) whose license application was denied solely because the lease contract was in English without a notarized Vietnamese translation. After revising the lease and supplementing the application, the IRC was issued successfully within 7 days.

2. Subsidiary Licenses – Often Forgotten “Gateways”
   While mobile app development itself does not require additional licences, if you add e-commerce features (selling goods or providing services through the app), you must register the website/app with the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In some cases, further permits may be needed—for example, for social media platforms or digital content licensing.
   It is best to engage legal advisors from the start to clarify your operational scope and licensing needs to avoid post-launch complications.

3. Protect Your Intellectual Property – Don’t Let Others Take Over Your App
   Many investors neglect to register their copyrights or trademarks for their apps. Yet these are the core assets of your company.
   We handled a case involving a South Korean startup (Customer A) whose app’s name was preemptively trademarked by a third party in Vietnam. This not only harmed the startup’s reputation but also led to temporary removal of the app from Vietnamese app stores.
   The takeaway: register as early as possible—covering your app’s name, logo, UI design, and critical code.

Conclusion

Vietnam is welcoming tech investors—but a smooth start doesn't hinge on ideas or capital alone; it begins with legal clarity and proper compliance.
Whether you're planning to open a mobile app development company here, take the time to prepare meticulously, and choose a partner who knows both the law and Vietnam's business landscape.

DEDICA Law Firm – Your trusted legal partner for tech investors in Vietnam. We help you not only meet regulations but grow far and sustainably in this high-potential market.

Interested? Contact DEDICA Law Firm today for in-depth legal consultation!
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