Sinasean would like to point out a clear list of the main departments and government authorities in Vietnam involved in the FDI registration and approval process, depending on the nature and scope of the investment:
🏛️ Key Government Departments to Apply for FDI in Vietnam
1. Department of Planning and Investment (DPI)
🔹 Main authority responsible for processing:
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Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)
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Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
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Approving investment projects not subject to national-level decision-making
📍 Handled at the provincial or city level where the company is located (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City DPI, Hanoi DPI)
2. Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI)
🔹 Oversees national-level investment projects, especially:
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Projects that use large amounts of state-owned land
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Projects in restricted sectors or exceeding investment thresholds
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Strategic or cross-provincial investments
📍 Located in Hanoi
3. Industrial Zone or Export Processing Zone Management Boards
🔹 For FDI projects set up inside industrial parks, high-tech zones, or export zones
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These boards can issue IRC and ERC directly
📍 Examples: -
HEPZA (HCMC Export Processing & Industrial Zones Authority)
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VSIP Management Board
4. Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)
🔹 For projects related to:
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Retail and trading activities (requires a business license)
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Energy, manufacturing, or import/export-sensitive sectors
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Product registration for foreign goods
5. Ministry of Construction (MOC)
🔹 For real estate development, construction, or architectural services
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Project design approvals and construction permits
6. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE)
🔹 For investment projects requiring:
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Land-use rights, especially for large-scale developments
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Environmental impact assessments (EIA)
7. Ministry of Health / Ministry of Education / Other Sectoral Ministries
🔹 For FDI in specialized sectors, depending on the nature of the business:
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Healthcare: MOH approval (for clinics, pharmaceuticals)
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Education: MOET/MOET approval (for foreign schools, training centers)
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Telecommunications/IT: Ministry of Information and Communications