Are you looking to enter the alcohol market in Hanoi but unsure how to get the alcohol trading license in Vietnam? In practice, this is one of the most strictly regulated conditional business lines. Depending on your business model, you may need a distribution license for large-scale operations or an on-premise alcohol consumption license in Vietnam for hospitality and restaurant services. Many enterprises face application rejections due to inadequate distribution networks, flawed principle contracts, or failure to meet the specific legal requirements set by the Department of Industry and Trade.
In 2026, regulations on alcohol trading continue to tighten, especially in major hubs, making the licensing journey more complex for those unfamiliar with the actual conditions and procedures.
In this comprehensive guide, Viet An Law provides a detailed roadmap regarding the alcohol distribution license in Hanoi, Vietnam 2026: Requirements, procedures & costs. We will also share critical insights to help you avoid common pitfalls, shorten processing times, and significantly increase your approval rate on the first attempt.
The process of obtaining an alcohol trading license in Hanoi is governed by a specialized legal system with strict requirements regarding business conditions, distribution systems, and compliance obligations. Understanding the regulations below will not only help enterprises prepare the right documents from the start but also shorten processing time at the Department of Industry and Trade. As of 2026, current regulations are still based on Decree 105/2017/ND-CP (amended and supplemented), along with related documents on investment, penalties, and fees.
The main legal documents include:
| Content | Hanoi | Other provinces |
| Dossier inspection rigor | Extremely Strict | Moderate |
| Actual processing time | 15–25 working days | 10–20 working days |
| Systemic requirements | More explicit | More flexible |
An alcohol trading license is a type of written alcohol business license issued by the Department of Industry and Trade, allowing enterprises to import, buy, sell, and distribute alcohol in two or more provinces or cities, including Hanoi.
According to legal regulations, enterprises with this license are entitled to:
This is the highest-level license in the alcohol business registration chain, allowing an enterprise to act as a national or inter-provincial distributor, rather than just a wholesaler or retailer.
To obtain an alcohol distribution license in Hanoi, enterprises not only need to meet legal requirements but also demonstrate actual distribution capacity. According to current regulations, the following conditions are the deciding factors in whether an application is approved or rejected.
Enterprises applying for a license must meet the following requirements:
There is a preliminary agreement or cooperation agreement with:
A quick understanding of the core requirements depends on three key factors:
In addition to the general conditions, foreign investors need to meet additional requirements under market access regulations:
No license granted.
Note the reality (many enterprises are rejected)
To obtain an alcohol trading license in Hanoi, enterprises need to prepare a complete and properly structured application dossier as required by regulations. In reality, more than 70% of applications are requested to be supplemented due to missing documents proving the distribution system or invalid contracts.
Dossiers required for an alcohol trading license in Vietnam
Enterprises need to prepare the following documents:
Critical documents: The deciding factors for your license approval
Enterprises must demonstrate a real distribution system through one of two methods:
3 mandatory elements:
In practice, obtaining an alcohol trading license in Hanoi often encounters difficulties:
Therefore, enterprises need to prepare thorough documentation from the outset to avoid prolonged processing times.
| Criteria | Status |
| Legally established enterprise | ☐ |
| Distribution network in ≥ 2 provinces | ☐ |
| Wholesale partners in each province | ☐ |
| Valid liquor sourcing contract | ☐ |
| No outstanding tax liabilities | ☐ |
If any of the above criteria are missing, the dossiers may be rejected.
The licensing process is carried out in two main steps:
Enterprises can submit the dossiers:
Submit to: Department of Industry and Trade
Within 3 working days:
Within 15 working days:
Actual time (important)
Average: 15-25 working days. May be longer if:
Current assessment fees:
Note: Fees may change depending on policies from time to time.
Based on our practical experience in handling alcohol trading license applications, we’ve found that the most important factor isn’t the quantity of paperwork, but rather the ability to demonstrate a viable distribution system.
Many enterprises are rejected not because of a lack of documentation, but because they fail to meet the required operational standards.
| License Type | Scope | Issuing Authority |
| Alcohol distribution license | National / ≥ 2 provinces | Ministry of Industry and Trade |
| Alcohol wholesale license | Within 1 province | Department of Industry and Trade |
| Alcohol retail license | Point of sale | Commune people’s committee |
Approximately 15–25 working days if the application is valid.
Yes, but they must meet market access requirements and have a separate FTA to be licensed according to regulations.
They may face administrative penalties and suspension of business operations.
In fact, the majority of rejected applications are not due to missing documents, but rather to:
Properly preparing the necessary dossiers from the start can save enterprises 2–4 weeks of processing time and avoid unnecessary costs.
If your enterprise needs to obtain an alcohol trading in Hanoi, contact Viet An Law immediately for prompt and accurate advice. With nearly 20 years of experience, we assist businesses in preparing the right documents from the start, shortening processing time and increasing the chances of license approval.
Enterprises only need to provide:
Viet An Law will:
Contact us today for detailed advice alcohol distribution license in Hanoi, Vietnam 2026: Requirements, procedures & costs in Hanoi: 09 61 57 18 18
