Establishment of a Swiss invested company in Vietnam

The cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland has a long history of development and has achieved many significant achievements. Over the years, Switzerland has constantly supported Vietnam on the path of socio-economic development. In addition to providing ODA capital, Swiss businesses have also invested heavily in many sectors such as finance, banking, pharmaceuticals and high technology, contributing significantly to the modernization of Vietnam’s economy. In particular, Switzerland has supported Vietnam in building infrastructure, improving management capacity and training high-quality human resources. Thanks to these valuable contributions, Vietnam has attracted many foreign investment capital, promoted economic growth and improved its position in the international arena. In the future, the cooperation between the two countries is expected to continue to develop strongly, opening up many new opportunities for both sides.

Some Swiss FDI companies in Vietnam

Swiss companies in Vietnam operate mainly in the following areas:

• Pharmaceuticals: With well-known names such as Roche and Novartis, Swiss pharmaceutical companies have contributed to improving the quality of healthcare in Vietnam.
• Consumer goods: Nestlé, one of the world’s largest food corporations, has been present in Vietnam for a long time and has become an indispensable part of the lives of Vietnamese consumers.

Some potential areas Switzerland can invest in establishing a company in Vietnam

Switzerland, with its developed economy and advanced technology, is always looking for new investment opportunities. Vietnam, with its emerging market and potential, is an attractive destination. Here are some areas that Swiss investors can consider:

Information and Communication Technology (IT)

• Software: Vietnam has abundant and high-quality human resources in the field of software development. Swiss companies can cooperate with Vietnamese businesses to develop software products for the domestic and international markets.
• Startups: Vietnam is emerging as a vibrant startup hub. Swiss companies can invest in Vietnamese startups or set up subsidiaries here.
• Big Data and Artificial Intelligence: With the huge amount of data generated every day, Vietnam has great potential to develop applications based on big data and artificial intelligence.

Renewable Energy

• Solar energy: Vietnam has great potential for solar energy thanks to the abundant amount of sunlight. Swiss companies can invest in solar power projects, producing solar devices.
• Wind energy: Vietnam’s coastal areas have great potential for wind energy. Swiss companies can participate in offshore wind power projects.

Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare

• Generic drug production: Vietnam has a large and rapidly growing pharmaceutical market. Swiss pharmaceutical companies can cooperate with Vietnamese businesses to produce generic drugs.
• Health services: Vietnam is investing heavily in the development of the health system. Swiss companies can provide high-quality medical services, such as diagnostic imaging, cancer treatment.

Travel

• Ecotourism: Vietnam has many beautiful and diverse landscapes. Swiss companies can invest in ecotourism and sustainable tourism projects.
• Resort tourism: Vietnam has many beautiful beaches and high-end resorts. Swiss companies can invest in tourism and hotel real estate projects.

Swiss investors apply for investment certificates in Vietnam

Dossier of application for an investment certificate

• Written request for implementation of the investment project;
• An investment project proposal includes the following contents: the investor implementing the project, investment objectives, investment scale, investment capital and capital mobilization plan, location, duration, investment schedule, labor demand, proposal for investment incentives, impact assessment, etc socio-economic efficiency of the project;
• Dossier proving the company’s head office: Lease contract, Notarized copy of real estate documents of the lessor: Land use right certificate, Construction permit; if the lessor is a company: It is necessary to provide a copy of the enterprise registration certificate with the function of real estate business;
• Confirmation of account balance corresponding to the capital intended to establish an FDI company is consular legalized and notarized

Depending on whether the investor is an individual or a legal entity, it will be necessary to provide the following additional documents:

Place of application: Department of Planning and Investment where the head office is expected to be located.

Processing order: Within 15 days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Planning and Investment will issue an Investment Registration Certificate to the foreign investor. In case of refusal, the Department of Planning and Investment will reply in writing and clearly state the reason.

Swiss investor applies for a business registration certificate in Vietnam

Application for a Swiss owned enterprise registration certificate

• Application for enterprise registration;
• Charter of the enterprise;
• List of members of a limited liability company with two or more members or a list of general partners;
• A notarized copy of the identity card or valid passport of the individual member; a notarized copy of the enterprise registration certificate of the member being an organization; a notarized copy of the valid identity card or passport of the legal representative of that organization;
• The Swiss investor’s investment registration certificate has been completed above.

Place of application: Department of Planning and Investment where the enterprise is headquartered.

Duration: 03 – 06 working days.

Swiss investors carry out post-establishment procedures to conduct business activities in Vietnam

Engraving the legal entity seal after having a tax identification number

After the business has a tax identification number, engraving the legal entity seal is an important step to complete the establishment procedure. The legal entity seal is an official identification sign of the business, used in transactions and legal documents.

Making company signs hanging at the head office

Hanging company signs at the head office is an important step to affirm the existence and image of the business. However, to ensure compliance with legal regulations and make a good impression, you need to pay attention to the legal regulations on signboards:

• Location: Signboards must only be placed close to the gate or front of the head office or place of business.
• Dimension:
• Content: The signboard must clearly state the name of the enterprise, the address of the company’s head office, tax identification number, contact phone number and sub-license number if any.

Open an account with 100% Swiss investment capital in Vietnam and contribute capital

Preparation of dossiers for opening investment capital accounts includes:

• Enterprise establishment license or investment registration certificate.
• Investor’s identity document (passport, visa).
• Documents proving the legal origin of the investment capital.

Place to apply: Submit the application at the selected bank.

The bank will conduct the appraisal of the dossier and open an investment capital account for the investor.

After having an investment capital account, the company with Thai capital contributed capital. Note that enterprises need to fully contribute the registered capital within 90 days from the date of issuance of the business registration certificate.

• Money transfer: Investors transfer money from an overseas account to an investment capital account opened in Vietnam.
• Confirmation: The bank will confirm the transfer of capital contribution.