WHAT FOREIGN INVESTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAXES IN VIETNAM

Foreign investors whom set-up company in Vietnam always face challenges to understand the tax system in Vietnam. The below briefly explains type of taxes in Vietnam for regular enterprises. In special cases, foreign enterprises are suggested to consult with tax lawyers in Vietnam before establishment and during the operation to ensure compliance

Major taxes which enterprises including both local and foreigners are subject to are corporate income tax, import and export taxes, and value added tax, and their employees are subject to personal income tax. Other taxes might be applicable depending on nature of business, such as natural resource tax, special consumption tax, and foreign contractor tax.

Corporate income tax (CIT) is governed under Vietnam Law on Corporate Income Tax. CIT is calculated by multiplying assessable income with the CIT rate. Assessable income is the difference between sales revenue and deductable expenses. In general, CIT tax rate in Vietnam is currently 22% and will be reduced to 20% starting Jan 1st, 2016.

Export and Import tax are governed under Vietnam Law on Export tax and Import tax. Export of finished goods is encouraged and export tax is 0%. Import tax will be as import tax tariff published by the government unless exempted for reasons of import to process for export, import to create fixed assets other other cases as the laws regulated.

Value added tax (VAT) is governed under Vietnam Law on Value added tax, applicable to goods and services sold in Vietnam. VAT is calculated by multiplying taxable price and VAT rate. The most common VAT rate is 10%. The rate level of 5% and 0% are applicable in certain cases.

Personal income tax (PIT) is governed under Vietnam Law on Personal income tax. Tax payers are resident, which taxable income includes income generated both inside and outside of Vietnam; and non non-resident, which taxable income includes income generated from Vietnam, regardless of the place where it is paid or received.

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WHERE FOREIGN INVESTORS OBTAIN INVESTMENT LICENSE IN VIETNAM?

To set up a business in Vietnam through foreign direct investment, foreign investors need to register the investment license from Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

Depending on investment business lines, investment conditions, scale of the projects, where investment project is located, other Vietnam State authorities would be involved.  MPI in Vietnam takes charge of developing legislation, guiding, consulting and coordinating with other State authority in regard to all investment in Vietnam.  Foreign investors apply for investment license at MPI which is acting as the contact point.  People’s Committee will be the government body that administer investment activities within its city or province and issue the investment license to the foreign investor.

In case the foreign investor setting-up  a business within an industrial zone, the management board of an industrial zone will have authority over the investment licensing process. For investment project which is larger than VND 300 billion (around USD 14.2 million) or in conditional investment area, MPI and other ministries will be involved in the evaluation process to recommend to the Prime Minister for approval.  Other ministries involved in investment project licensing would be Ministry of Trade and Commerce and Minsitry of Finance for settting up a trading company in Vietnam; Ministry of Science and Technology for investment in high-tech projects in Vietnam; Ministry of Education and Training for setting up education institute; Ministry of Health for investment in hospital in Vietnam, etc to ensure they are complying with the specific industry’s regulations.

At ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam with law offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we are able to assist clients in licensing and post-licensing matters to help clients with all questions and services in setting up and maintaining the company in Vietnam. We could be reached at email: ant@antlawyers.vn or office tel: +848 35202779.

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HOW FOREIGN ENTITY COULD SET-UP REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN VIETNAM

A foreign business entity or a foreign trader is allowed to establish Representative Office in Vietnam according to the Commercial Law No 36/2005 and Decree No. 72/2006/NĐ-CP dated July 25th, 2006 detailing the commercial law regarding Vietnam-based representative offices and branches of foreign traders.

Representative office of a foreign business entity in Vietnam (referred as “Representative Office”) means a subsidiary unit of the foreign business entity, established in accordance with the law of Vietnam in order to survey markets and to undertake a number of commercial enhancement activities permitted by the law of Vietnam.  Representative Office will need to apply and obtain the establishment license; and have a seal bearing the name of the representative office.

Setting up a Representative Office is less complicated from setting up a company in Vietnam.  The Vietnam Department of Trade will be approving the establishment of Representative Office in Vietnam while Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment will be the State agency that coordinate the setting up a company in Vietnam.  The time duration to establish a Representative Office is shorter than to establish a company.  There are fewer conditions to meet than conditions in setting up a company in Vietnam.  The main difference between a Representative Office and a company in Vietnam is that the Representative Office could not directly conduct profit making activities.

Rights of the Representative Office:

• To operate strictly in accordance with the purposes, scope and duration stated in the license for establishment of such representative office;
• To rent offices and to lease or purchase the equipment and facilities necessary for the operation of the Representative Office;
• To recruit Vietnamese and foreign employees to work for the Representative Office in accordance with the law of Vietnam;
• To open accounts in foreign currency and in Vietnamese Dong sourced from foreign currency at banks which are licensed to operate in Vietnam, and to use such accounts solely for the operation of the Representative Office.

Obligation of the Representative Office:

• Not to directly conduct profit making activities in Vietnam;
• Not to enter into commercial contracts of the foreign business entity or to amend or supplement such contracts already signed except where the head of the Representative Office has a valid power of attorney from the foreign business entity;
• To pay taxes, fees and charges and to discharge other financial obligations in accordance with the law of Vietnam;
• To report on the operation of the Representative Office in accordance with the law of Vietnam

A foreign company which has effectiveness business activities will be allowed to open the Representative Office in Vietnam if this company has real demand to open the market in Vietnam and meet conditions as below:

• Being a business entity or trader recognized by the law of the country or the territory (hereinafter referred to collectively as the country) where it has been lawfully established or made its business registration;
• Having been operating for at least one year after its lawful establishment or business registration in its country.

The issuing period will be within 20 working-days after the date of submitting the full valid documents as requested.

At ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam with offices i

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WORK PERMIT IN VIETNAM

Foreign employee working in Vietnam is required to have work permit issued by respective Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (“DOLISA”) of province or city where the company that sponsor work permit registers the business.  Failing to comply would lead to foreign workers to be deported by Vietnam Public Security at the request of DOLISA.

Vietnam Labour Code and Decree 102/2013/ND-CP effective on Nov 1st, 2013 provide details of the regulations on foreign employment in Vietnam.  It is suggested that companies wishing to employ foreign workers and foreign workers to counsel with employment lawyers in order to ensure compliance.  Our employment lawyers in Vietnamkeep following up with the changes in labour regulations  in Vietnam to give our clients the best service.

As the current regulations, the foreign employee might be asked to present his/her work permit at entering or leaving Vietnam or when requested by government authority.  The companies seeking to employ foreign workers are only allowed to employ for managerial or technical positions which Vietnam employee could not meet the requirements of the jobs.  Before employment of foreign workers, the companies will have to report the demand to, and get the approval from the People’s Committee of the province or city where the employers register their business.

The dossiers submitted to DOLISA have to include: i) application form; ii) health certificate; iii) certificate of criminal record; iv) document to prove managerial or technical experience; v) approval of People’s Committee; vi) passport size pictures; vii) passport; viii) and documents related to the purpose of foreign workers in Vietnam i.e. labour contract, assignment letter. The work permit is valid for two years.

In order to seek further advice, please contact us at ant@antlawyers.vn or call + 84 35202779.  ANT Lawyers, your lawyers in Vietnam.

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HOW FOREIGNERS COULD MARRY VIETNAMESE WIFE

When a foreigner marrying a Vietnamese, this is cross cultural marriage with challenges and complexity in relationships which could be legally difficult.  The Vietnam laws on Marriage and Family on marriage and family relations involving foreign elements provide legal grounds to avoid false marriages to gain citizenship or conduct human trafficking.

The following should be taken into consideration when a foreigner marrying a Vietnamese. However due to the complexity, it is suggested family lawyers in Vietam to be consulted to ensure the correct processes and procedures are carried out in timely manner:

1.Marriage consultation:

If marriage registration between a foreigner and a Vietnamese belongs one of the following cases, Vietnamese citizen must be consulted by the provincial Marriage Consultancy Center: i) the age gap between two partners is 20 years or more; ii) this is the third marriage of the foreign partner, or the foreign partner has gone through a divorce with a Vietnamese citizen; iii) the partners do not completely understand about the families and backgrounds of each other; about the languages, traditions, customs, cultures, and laws on marriage and families of each other’s country.

After being advised on marriage consultation, Vietnamese citizen will be issued a certificate by Marriage Consultancy Center (hereafter referred to as Certificate) which is part of the application dossier.

When the Vietnamese citizens is fluent in a foreign language or foreigner is fluent in Vietnamese, and  the interviews at the Justice Department show that both sides have an good understanding of family circumstances, personal situation, and the understanding of language, customs, traditions, culture, laws on marriage and family in each country, the Certificate will not be needed.

2.Submission for marriage registration

One of two parties would submit directly to provincial Department of Justice of province where the Vietnamese citizen applicant resides.  A dossier of marriage registration is prepared including the following papers of each party:

a) The marriage registration declaration (standard form);

b) The papers of marriage status of each party:

Vietnamese shall provide the written certification of marital status issued by the People’s Committee where he/she resides.

Foreigner shall provide the documentary evidence on marital status of foreigners  issued by a competent agency of the country of which the applicant is a citizen.  In cases where foreign laws do not prescribe the certification of marriage status, it can be replaced by the certification of oath taken by the applicant that he or she concurrently has no wife or husband, in accordance with the laws of those countries; the written certificate of marriage eligibility issued by a competent agency of the country of which the applicant is a citizen (unless laws of this country do not regulate about this document); for foreigners who have already been divorced with Vietnamese citizens at foreign competent agencies, they must submit the written confirmation that the divorce which carried out abroad have been recorded in civil status book as prescribed by law of Vietnam.

c) The medical examination from a Vietnamese or foreign competent health organization, certifying that such person does not suffer from mental diseases or other diseases which make a person incapable to aware or control his/her acts;

d) Copies of personal papers, such as identity card or passport, passport or papers of substitute value such as travel document or residence card;

e) Copies of the household registration book, the temporary residence book (for Vietnamese citizens living in the country); permanent residence card, temporary residence card or temporary residence certificate (for foreigners residing temporarily or permanently in Vietnam).

f) Certificate of Marriage Consultancy Center on marriage to a foreigner that Vietnamese citizens have been given advice for marriage in compulsory cases mentioned above.

All documents provide by parties have to have valuation within 6 months to the date when the dossier is received.

3. Interviews for marriage registration to a foreigner in Vietnam

Within 15 days as from the date of receiving the complete and valid dossiers as well as fees, the provincial Department of Justice shall have the responsibilities to implement the direct interview at head office for both marriage partners in order to check, clarify personal matter, voluntary marriage and extent of understanding each other of both marriage partners.

If the interview result shows that two parties fail to understand status of each other, the provincial Department of Justice shall make an appointment for re-interview; the next interview shall be performed 30 days after the preceding interview.

In cases there are issues which need to be verified, the provincial Department of Justice dshall carry out necessary procedures to verify.

4. Certificate of marriage registration in Vietnam

After interviewing both marriage partners, studying and verifying the marriage registration dossiers, opinions of police agencies (if any), the provincial Department of Justice shall report result and propose settlement of marriage registration to submit to provincial People’s Committees for decision, enclosed with 01 set of marriage registration dossier.

Within 05 working days, after receiving the written submission of the provincial justice department together with the marriage registration dossier, the chairman of the provincial People’s Committee shall sign in the certificate of marriage and return dossier to the provincial Department of Justice for holding the ceremony for marriage registration.

In case refusal for marriage registration, provincial People’s Committees shall have a document clearly stating reasons thereof and send it to the provincial Department of Justice in order to notify both marriage partners.

5. Ceremonies for marriage registration in Vietnam

Within 05 working days, after the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee signs the marriage certificate, the provincial Department of Justice shall hold ceremony for marriage registration.

The marriage registration ceremony shall be solemnly organized at the office of the provincial Department of Justice. When the marriage registration ceremony is held, both marriage partners must be present. The representative of the provincial Department of Justice shall preside over the ceremony, requesting both parties to state their final intention on voluntary marriage. If they agree to marry each other, the representative of the Department of Justice shall record the marriage in the marriage registers, requesting each party to sign on the marriage certificate, the marriage register and hand over the original marriage certificate to the husbands and wives, each with one certificate.

The marriage certificate shall be valid from the date the marriage registration ceremony is organized as provided. The grant of copies of the marriage certificate from the original registers shall be implemented by the provincial Department of Justice at the requests of the wives or husbands.

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