An ERC lets a company exist. A sub-license lets it actually operate in its industry. This is where sector-specific conditions live — and where most delays happen when they're mapped incorrectly.
Each sector below carries its own conditions, CPC codes, and licensing authority.
CPC examples for computer services, management consulting, education, healthcare, food and beverage, warehousing, freight forwarding, and distribution are drawn from Vietnam's published service-classification and investment guidance.
Eligibility, documents, four licensing pathways, timeline and FAQ.
/business-licensing/retail-distribution-vietnam/Market access, Business License, Retail Establishment License and ENT for foreign retailers.
/business-licensing/retail-establishment-license-vietnam/First vs additional outlets, documents, procedure and timeline.
/business-licensing/economic-needs-test-vietnam/Decision framework, exemption criteria and the ENT Council process.
/business-licensing/distribution-rights-vietnam/Import, export and distribution rights, legally distinguished.
/business-licensing/business-license-requirements-vietnam/Foreign investor eligibility, market access and licensing conditions.
/business-licensing/business-license-required-documents-vietnam/The full dossier, checklist and document consistency review.
/business-licensing/business-license-application-procedure-vietnam/Step-by-step application process, from assessment to issuance.
/business-licensing/business-license-timeline-vietnam/Statutory processing times vs the practical project timeline.
/business-licensing/business-license-cost-vietnam/Government fees, professional fees and related regulatory costs.
Most logistics sub-sectors allow full foreign ownership, but a few segments — notably domestic freight forwarding by road — carry joint-venture or capped-ownership conditions. The applicable rule depends on which CPC-coded logistics service the license covers.
Yes. Management and business consulting is an unconditional sector under Vietnam's WTO commitments, and a wholly foreign-owned consulting company is standard. The business registration certificate must still list the specific consulting lines accurately.
Beyond the ERC, a trading company generally needs a Business License for Goods Trading and, depending on the goods, a Retail Outlet License for each physical location. Import/export activity itself does not require a separate license once these are in place. See our full guide to retail distribution in Vietnam.
Foreign investment in education is permitted but conditional — requirements differ sharply between language centers, vocational training, and higher education, with the last carrying the strictest approval and facility standards.