Changing a company’s head office address in Vietnam is not just “updating the business license.” A new Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) is only step one — every sub-license bearing the old address (security & order, fire safety, food safety, environment, investment certificate…) must be reviewed and amended under its own sectoral instrument, because there is no automatic inter-agency update mechanism. This article maps the full chain under current regulations.
1. Step 1: Register the ERC change within 10 days
Article 30 of the Law on Enterprises 59/2020/QH14 (amended by Law 76/2025/QH15) requires enterprises to register changes to ERC contents within 10 days of the change. Changing the head office address is one of the registrable changes.
Dossier under Decree 168/2025
The current basis is Decree 168/2025/ND-CP (effective 1 July 2025, promulgated 30 June 2025, amended by Decree 296/2026/ND-CP of 23 July 2026) — which has replaced Decree 01/2021/ND-CP and Decree 122/2020/ND-CP. Under Article 40(2) of Decree 168/2025, the dossier for an address change comprises:
- Request for registration of changes to enterprise registration contents (using the form in Circular 68/2025/TT-BTC);
- Resolution/decision of the company owner / Members’ Council / General Meeting of Shareholders (depending on enterprise type);
- Authorization letter where the filer is not the legal representative.
Note: because Decree 168/2025 was amended in 2026, cross-check the consolidated text / Official Gazette for the latest article numbers and dossier contents before filing.
Tax procedure — complete before filing for the ERC change
If the relocation changes the managing tax authority (moving across provinces/cities), the enterprise must complete the tax relocation procedure before filing the ERC change dossier. Skip this step and the change application will not be processed. The provincial business registration authority resolves dossiers within 3 working days (per research — verify against the full text before applying).
Declare beneficial ownership information
Law 76/2025/QH15 (effective 1 July 2025) introduced the concept of beneficial owner (Article 4(35) of the Law on Enterprises 2020). When carrying out the change procedure, the enterprise must simultaneously declare and supplement beneficial owner information under Article 3 of Law 76/2025.
2. Special case: address change due to administrative boundary changes
Under Decree 168/2025/ND-CP, where an administrative boundary change (merger of administrative units) alters the address of a head office, branch, representative office, or business location, the enterprise is not required to register the address change. It only sends a notice requesting an information update when needed, or when registering another content change. This new point reduces the procedural burden following administrative-unit reorganizations.
Distinguish clearly: this exemption applies only when the address changes because the State adjusted boundaries — an enterprise that voluntarily relocates its head office must still register the change within 10 days as in Section 1.
3. The chain of sub-license amendments after the new ERC
The new ERC only establishes the enterprise’s new legal address. Every sub-license bearing the old address must be amended — each under the sectoral instrument of its issuing authority:
- Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) — FDI enterprises: changing the project implementation location is a case of IRC adjustment under Article 39 of Decree 96/2026/ND-CP (guiding the Law on Investment 143/2025/QH15). Per research, the resolution period is 10 working days — verify against the full text before applying. Failure to adjust the IRC when required may attract a fine of VND 70–100 million (for organizations) plus a remedial order to complete the adjustment, under Decree 122/2021/ND-CP (amended by Decree 288/2026/ND-CP) — cross-check the full text before citing this figure formally.
- ANTT Certificate: the address is an identifying element on the certificate — apply for re-issuance/exchange with the police authority at the new head office location under Decree 96/2016/ND-CP (amended by Decree 58/2026/ND-CP).
- Fire safety records: re-declare and re-appraise for the new location under the Law on Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue 55/2024/QH15 and Decree 105/2025/ND-CP (amended by Decree 347/2026/ND-CP).
- Other sectoral licenses: food safety, environmental, work permits… — each amended under the sectoral instrument of its issuing authority.
4. Synchronization checklist after the address change
Beyond licenses, synchronize the new address across:
- Signage at the new head office;
- E-invoices (notify the tax authority of the information change);
- Bank accounts, digital signatures;
- Ongoing contracts — notify counterparties to avoid disputes over delivery and payment addresses.
5. Penalties for late change registration
Missing the 10-day deadline for ERC change registration may lead to administrative penalties in the planning and investment field under Decree 122/2021/ND-CP (amended by Decree 288/2026/ND-CP, effective 21 July 2026). Per research, the framework includes a warning for delays of 1–10 days, with detailed levels in Articles 43 and 44 — open the full text of the decree (and the consolidated version after Decree 288/2026) to verify precisely before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for registering a head office address change?
10 days from the date of the change (Article 30, Law on Enterprises 2020). Late registration may be penalized under Decree 122/2021 (amended by Decree 288/2026).
Is the new ERC the end of the process?
No. The new ERC is only step one. Every sub-license bearing the old address (ANTT, fire safety, food safety, environment, IRC…) must be reviewed and amended under its own sectoral instrument — there is no automatic interconnected update.
Must I register a change when the address changes due to an administrative-unit merger?
Not required (Decree 168/2025/ND-CP). The enterprise only updates when needed or when registering another content change.
What extra step applies to FDI companies changing project locations?
They must adjust the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) under Article 39 of Decree 96/2026/ND-CP, in addition to changing the ERC.
Sources
- Law on Enterprises 59/2020/QH14 — Article 30 (change registration); amended by Law 76/2025/QH15 (beneficial owners).
- Decree 168/2025/ND-CP — enterprise registration (replacing Decrees 01/2021 and 122/2020); amended by Decree 296/2026/ND-CP; effective 1 July 2025.
- Circular 68/2025/TT-BTC — enterprise registration forms.
- Law on Investment 143/2025/QH15 + Decree 96/2026/ND-CP — Article 39 (IRC adjustment).
- Decree 122/2021/ND-CP (amended by Decree 288/2026/ND-CP, effective 21 July 2026) — penalties in the planning and investment field.
- Decree 96/2016/ND-CP (amended by Decree 58/2026/ND-CP) — ANTT conditions.
Contact us
Relocating your head office and need a full review of the license-amendment chain — from ERC and IRC to ANTT and fire safety? Contact FLAT Law Firm for a complete amendment checklist so no license is missed.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information for reference only and does not substitute legal advice for your specific case. Legal instruments may be amended; always verify the version in force at the time of application or consult a lawyer.
Transparency note: This content was quality-reviewed (QA) by FLAT’s AI Legal Council under internal procedures and submitted for approval before publication; it has not been reviewed by a human lawyer.
