One compliance obligation many foreign investors overlook is the periodic reporting on investment project implementation. This is not a box-ticking formality: the law specifies who must report, what to report, by when, and in which forms. This article sets out the full obligation under the legal framework in force as of 15 October 2026.
1. Applicable legal framework
- Investment Law 143/2025/QH15 (effective 1 March 2026, replacing Investment Law 61/2020) — Article 47. Reporting regime for investment activities;
- Decree 96/2026/ND-CP (effective 31 March 2026) — Article 94: online reporting on project implementation;
- Circular 44/2026/TT-BTC (issued 22 April 2026, effective from signing; replacing Circular 05/2023/TT-BKHDT) — forms for investment monitoring and evaluation reports and the online reporting regime.
Important note: some secondary sources wrongly cite “Article 49 of Investment Law 2025” for the reporting regime — this is incorrect. Article 49 governs investment promotion activities; the reporting regime for domestic investment activities is in Article 47 (Article 48 covers reporting on outbound investment).
2. Who must report?
Under Clause 1, Article 47 of Investment Law 2025, reporting entities include:
- Ministries, ministerial-level agencies and provincial People’s Committees;
- Investment registration authorities;
- Investors and business organizations implementing investment projects — including foreign investors with projects in Vietnam (FDI projects).
For projects not subject to Investment Registration Certificate issuance, the investor reports to the investment registration authority before implementing the project (Clause 5, Article 47).
3. Report contents for investors
Under Point a, Clause 2, Article 47, quarterly and annually, investors/business organizations report to the investment registration authority and the local statistics office on project implementation, covering:
- Implemented investment capital;
- Investment and business performance;
- Labour information;
- State budget contributions;
- Investment in research and development;
- Environmental treatment and protection;
- Sector-specific indicators.
4. Reporting deadlines
| Report type | Deadline | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterly report | Before the 10th day of the first month of the quarter following the reporting quarter | Clauses 2, 3, Article 94, Decree 96/2026 |
| Annual report | Before 31 March of the year following the reporting year | Clauses 2, 3, Article 94, Decree 96/2026 |
| Ad hoc report | As required by the competent state authority | Clause 4, Article 47, Law 143/2025 |
| Projects without IRC | Before project implementation | Clause 5, Article 47, Law 143/2025 |
5. Form and manner of reporting
Under Clause 3, Article 47 of Investment Law 2025, reports are made in writing and via the National Information System on Investment. Digitalization is reinforced by Circular 44/2026/TT-BTC:
- Updating information and reports on the professional information system fully replaces periodic paper reports;
- Documents uploaded must be colour scans of originals or electronic documents with a valid digital signature;
- Project information must be updated on the system within 07 working days of the investment decision date.
Enterprises should register accounts, prepare digital signatures and assign staff responsible for timely system updates.
6. Distinguishing from investment monitoring and evaluation reports
Many enterprises confuse the two. Periodic reports (Article 47, Investment Law 2025; Article 94, Decree 96/2026) reflect project implementation status quarterly/annually. Investment monitoring and evaluation reports (Article 99, Decree 96/2026) are evaluative — filed semi-annually (before 10 July), annually (before 10 February of the following year) and before amending the Investment Registration Certificate. See our separate article on monitoring and evaluation reports.
7. Frequently asked questions
Must a newly established FDI enterprise with no revenue yet report?
Yes. The obligation applies to investors and business organizations implementing investment projects — regardless of whether the project is operational or under implementation. Report the actual status (capital implemented, labour, progress, etc.).
Which authority receives the reports?
The investment registration authority (industrial/economic zone management board for in-zone projects; Department of Finance for off-zone projects) and the local statistics office, plus updates on the National Information System on Investment.
Are there penalties for missing periodic reports?
Failure to follow the reporting regime may attract administrative penalties in the investment sector. Check the current penalty decree and maintain an internal compliance calendar.
This article was prepared by the FLAW AI Legal Council — the AI legal council of FLAT Law Firm, based on legislation in force as of 15 October 2026. It is general reference only and not legal advice for your specific case.
For tailored advice on your project’s reporting obligations, please contact FLAT Law Firm.
Article status: pending QA council review.