Guide to Updating New Business Line Codes of Company in Vietnam

(Effective Nov 2025)

Incorrect determination of industry codes not only causes the business establishment dossier to be returned but also directly affects the ability to issue invoices and declare taxes later. Especially with the introduction of Decision No. 36/2025/QD-TTg promulgating the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification (VSIC 2025), a series of old industry codes have been replaced or updated. So how to look up the most accurate business registration industry codes? Which industries require special conditions? In the article below, Viet An Law will guide to updating new business line codes of company in Vietnam, record level 4 industry codes, and procedures for adding industries according to the latest legal regulations in 2026.

What is the Business Registration Industry Code? Why is it important?

Role in issuing Enterprise Registration Certificate and tax

The business industry code is a system of classification of economic sectors applied to standardize and classify the activities of enterprises according to specific industries and fields of operation in the economy.

This code helps state management agencies and other organizations easily monitor, analyze, and issue appropriate policies for each specific industry.

At the same time, industry codes also support enterprises in business registration, tax reporting, and participating in commercial activities.

Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification (VSIC 2025) according to Decision 36/2025/QD-TTg

The business industry code of the enterprise registered under the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification is recorded in the Annex of Decision No. 36/2025/QD-TTg dated September 29, 2025 of the Prime Minister, promulgating the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification (abbreviated as VSIC 2025).

Rules for updating industry codes for enterprises established before November 15, 2025

According to current regulations, enterprises established before November 15, 2025, if having business lines recorded under the old industry code system (according to the old Decision 27/2018/QD-TTg), are required to perform procedures to update according to the new industry codes in Decision 36/2025/QD-TTg.

• Signs of recognition: When accessing the National Business Registration Portal, if the system displays a blue or red warning at the business line rows, it means your industry code has not been standardized.
• Action: Enterprises need to make a dossier of Notice of change of enterprise registration content to update level 4 and level 5 industry codes in accordance with new regulations immediately to avoid interruption of other administrative procedures.

Rules for recording Level 4 and Level 5 industry codes enterprises need to know

The business industry code in the Vietnam economic sector system will be represented by a sequence of 6 characters representing industry codes from level 1 to level 5.

• How to choose the mandatory Level 4 industry code: Usually, when registering for business, entities will record industry codes up to level 4 industry codes in the business registration declaration.
• When is it necessary to record detailed Level 5 industry codes or explain further? When needing to detail the business line, the enterprise must supplement the detailed industry code according to the content of the level 5 code or explain in detail to comply with the provisions of law.

Regulations on recording business lines of enterprises

Recording business lines of enterprises is prescribed in Article 7 of Decree 168/2025/ND-CP, specifically as follows:

• Code recording principle: Enterprises must choose the level 4 economic sector in the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification to record in the registration or change dossier; The Business Registration Agency will compare and record it in the National Database.
• Specific industries: For conditional business investment lines or lines not yet in the Economic Sector System but stipulated in other legal documents, record exactly according to the name in that document.
• New industries: For industries not yet in both the Economic Sector System and other legal documents, if not falling into the prohibited list, the Business Registration Agency still records the addition and notifies the Ministry of Finance.
• Detailed recording: Enterprises are allowed to record more details than the level 4 industry (content must be consistent with the selected level 4 industry) and the official business line is determined according to this detailed content.

Guide to updating new business line codes of company in Vietnam in 2026

To ensure the accuracy of the enterprise registration dossier, please contact Viet An Law to be looked up for industry codes according to the most accurate Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification 2025. Generally, there are currently two ways to look up business industry codes as follows:

Method 1: Look up directly in the Annex of Decision 36

You look up in the annex prescribed in Decision 36/2025/QD-TTg dated September 29, 2025 promulgating the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification, which lists in detail the business industry codes. Enterprises can look up directly from the annex of this decision.

Method 2: Look up online on the National Business Registration Portal

• Step 1: Access the official website on business registration of the National Portal: https://dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn
• Step 2: Select “Support”.
• Step 3: Select “Look up business lines” to search for the corresponding industry code.

At the National Business Registration Portal, the list of business lines will be displayed in table form, including industry codes and corresponding industry names. Enterprises can use the following methods to look up:

• Search by keyword: Enter keywords related to the business line that the enterprise wants to choose to find suitable industry codes.
• Search by industry code: If the enterprise already knows the industry code, it can enter the industry code to determine the full name of the business line.

This list helps enterprises easily identify the exact industry according to the regulations of the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification, ensuring correct and complete business registration.

Procedure for notifying addition or change of business lines of existed company in Vietnam

Procedure for adding business industry codes

The procedure for adding business industry codes or changing industries includes the following specific steps:

• Notification deadline: Within 10 days from the date of change or addition of business lines, the enterprise must send a notice to the business registration agency.
• Dossier for adding or changing business industry codes:
  • Notice of change of enterprise registration content;
  • Copy or original of the resolution or decision of the company owner for single-member limited liability companies; of the Board of Members for multi-member limited liability companies, partnerships; of the General Meeting of Shareholders for joint-stock companies regarding the change of business lines of the enterprise.
  • Authorization document: If the legal representative authorizes another person to perform, a valid authorization document is required.
• Submission of dossier: Submit at the Provincial Business Registration Agency where the enterprise places its headquarters.
• Dossier processing time: 03 working days from the date of receiving a valid dossier.
• Submission form: Register online via the network, in two ways:
  • Use a business registration account.
  • Use a digital signature (token).

These procedures help enterprises comply with regulations on business lines and ensure timely information updates with state agencies.

Top frequently used business line codes of company in Vietnam in 2026

According to the update of the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification 2025 (VSIC 2025) applied from November 15, 2025 according to Decision 36/2025/QD-TTg, enterprises need to update new industry codes when changing or registering new enterprises. Some frequently used industry code groups are:

E-commerce business industry code (Online Wholesale/Retail) Currently, there is no separate code for “online sales”, enterprises need to register according to the corresponding wholesale/retail business lines.

• Example: Retailing household goods online, choose code 4719 (Other retail sale in non-specialized stores) combined with code 4759 (Retail sale of electrical household appliances, furniture, lighting equipment and other household articles in specialized stores).

Import-Export industry code: The law does not prescribe a separate industry code for “import-export”. Enterprises only need to register the industry code Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified (8299) and record details “Export, import of goods the company trades” to exercise the import-export right under the Commercial Law 2005.

Information Technology Industry Group

• 6219: Other computer programming activities.
• 6220: Computer consultancy and computer facilities management activities.
• 6290: Other information technology and computer service activities.

Handling situations: Industries not in the system or conditional industries

Conditional business lines

Conditional business lines are those requiring compliance with special conditions according to legal regulations before being allowed to operate (regarding legal capital, practicing certificates, sub-licenses…). When registering, enterprises must record the correct name according to regulations in legal documents prescribing that industry.

For new industries without codes (Freelance industries)

Business lines not in the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification and also not stipulated in other legal documents: Enterprises can still register to trade in this industry if that industry is not in the list of prohibited business investment. The Business Registration Agency will record the addition and notify the Ministry of Finance/General Statistics Office to update into the system later.

If the business line is not in the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification but is prescribed in other legal normative documents, the enterprise must register according to the industry/profession prescribed in these documents.

Special note for foreign-invested enterprises (FDI)

Applying industry codes for FDI enterprises is more complicated due to having to comply with the WTO commitment schedule and free trade agreements (CPC Codes). Many cases of project objectives in the Investment Registration Certificate are difficult to be fully compatible with Vietnam’s economic industry codes.

Advice from Viet An Law: Foreign investors need to consult carefully to ensure the registered industry code is suitable for both Vietnam’s VSIC and international CPC codes, avoiding obstacles when applying for Visas or transferring profits abroad.

The above is the advice on the guide to updating new business line codes of company in Vietnam of Viet An Law. Clients having related questions or needing support, please contact Viet An Law for the best support!