A Vietnamese company can usually own up to 100 percent of an Indian private limited company under the automatic route, without government approval, subject to sectoral caps and conditions. The company needs at least two directors, one of whom has stayed in India for 182 days in the previous year, and two shareholders. Investment must be reported to the RBI in Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotment.
- Document route
- Vietnamese notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 behind Vietnam all year
- Law
- Companies Act 2013, FEMA 1999, NDI Rules 2019
- Minimum
- 2 directors, 2 shareholders
Company Setup for Foreigners from Vietnam: how it works
We advise on the right vehicle, such as a subsidiary, LLP, branch or liaison office, and then handle name reservation, digital signatures, incorporation, PAN and TAN. The parent company's documents and board resolution are legalised in Vietnam and attested by the Indian mission, with English translations.
After incorporation, we help open the bank account, receive capital, file FC-GPR, register for GST and set up compliance under the Companies Act, FEMA and the Income-tax Act, including transfer pricing for transactions with the Vietnamese parent.
What clients in Vietnam should know
- Allow time for legalising Vietnamese corporate documents.
- Appoint a reliable resident director, or use a professional nominee with proper safeguards.
- Plan transfer pricing early if the subsidiary will buy from or sell to the parent.
Step by step from Vietnam
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Vietnam, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Vietnam
Vietnamese notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian mission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Vietnam where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Vietnam. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Company Setup for Foreigners, or see all services for clients in Vietnam and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Vietnam
Do Vietnamese investors need government approval?
Usually not; the automatic route applies in most sectors because Vietnam does not share a land border with India.
Can a Vietnamese citizen be a director?
Yes, with a director identification number, alongside a resident director.
How long does incorporation take?
Often two to four weeks once documents are legalised.