Amending Business Registration in Vietnam: Name, Address, Capital and Business Lines

Companies in Vietnam frequently need to update the details recorded on their enterprise registration certificate. Whether the change concerns the company name, the head-office address, the charter capital or the registered business lines, the update must be registered with the business registration authority to keep the public record accurate.

Common changes

Amendments generally fall into a few categories, each with its own considerations:

• Company name: a new name must be unique and must not infringe existing rights; a name change usually requires updating the seal and related records.
• Head-office address: a relocation may involve tax finalisation steps when moving between tax authorities.
• Charter capital: an increase or decrease affects members' or shareholders' rights and, for foreign-invested entities, may need to be reflected on the investment registration certificate.
• Business lines: adding or removing lines may trigger conditional-business requirements for certain sectors.

The registration process

The company's competent body first passes an internal resolution or decision approving the change. It then files an application with the provincial business registration authority within the statutory time limit. For foreign-invested companies, changes to capital or investment scope may require amending the investment registration certificate before or alongside the enterprise registration update.

• Adopt the internal decision (owner, members' council, or general meeting of shareholders as applicable).
• Prepare and submit the amendment dossier.
• Receive the updated certificate and update tax, seal, and licensing records.

Practical points

Timing matters: some changes must be registered within a set period after the decision. Certain business lines are conditional and require sub-licences before the activity can start, so adding them to the certificate is only the first step.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to change the company seal when the name changes?

If the seal displays the company name, it typically needs to be updated to reflect the new name so that documents remain consistent.

Does increasing charter capital require proof of contribution?

The additional capital must actually be contributed, and for foreign-invested entities the increase is usually reflected in the investment registration and capital accounts.

Can I change several particulars at once?

Yes, multiple changes can often be combined into a single amendment dossier, though conditional business lines may still need separate licensing.

How LTV Law helps

LTV Law prepares corporate resolutions and amendment dossiers and coordinates tax, seal and licensing follow-up for each change; to update your registration, contact our team.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.