Short answer: State fees for a factory construction permit inside an industrial zone are actually minimal — the permit fee is set by each province (e.g., Hai Phong: VND 150,000 per permit). The real costs lie in: design appraisal fees, design consultancy, geological surveys, fire-safety approval, environmental procedures, and contingency for dossier revisions. This article breaks down each item under the latest legal framework as of October 2026.
1. The new framework from 1 July 2026: stop citing old instruments
Since 1 July 2026, construction operates under a brand-new framework:
- Construction Law 135/2025/QH15 (effective 1 July 2026) — replacing Law 50/2014/QH13.
- Decree 217/2026/ND-CP (effective 1 July 2026) — fully replacing Decree 175/2024/ND-CP, detailing construction permitting.
- Decree 206/2026/ND-CP (effective 1 July 2026, replacing Decree 10/2021) + Circular 36/2026/TT-BXD (replacing Circular 11/2021) — construction investment cost framework: appraisal fees and consultancy costs.
Do not cite Construction Law 50/2014 or Decree 175/2024 as current authority — both have expired.
2. Licensing authority: the Industrial Zone Management Board
Under Article 53 of Decree 217/2026/ND-CP, the Industrial/Economic Zone Management Board issues construction permits for works inside industrial zones. Key new point: the procedure runs fully online via the National Public Service Portal — no more multi-round paper filings.
Issuance timeline: for a new permit for non-individual-housing works (including factories), 10 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier.
3. Breaking down the six cost items
Item 1: Construction permit fee (small)
Payable upon filing; the rate is set by each provincial People’s Council under Decree 217/2026/ND-CP. Example: Hai Phong charges VND 150,000 per permit (Decision 217/QD-UBND of 2025). Every province differs — always check the local People’s Council resolution before budgeting.
Item 2: Construction design appraisal fee
Factory designs must be appraised as required; appraisal fees follow Decree 206/2026/ND-CP and Circular 36/2026/TT-BXD, usually a percentage of construction cost. For a mid-size factory, this is among the largest “state fee” items.
Item 3: Design consultancy costs
Engaging consultants for basic design, technical design, and construction drawings. Fees follow the norms in Circular 36/2026/TT-BXD (percentage of construction cost, declining with scale). Factories with special requirements (clean rooms, heavy loads, high-grade fire safety) cost significantly more to design.
Item 4: Geological and topographic surveys
Geological surveys are mandatory before foundation design. Cost depends on borehole count, depth, and ground conditions — weak coastal industrial-zone soils cost more. Often missed in initial budgets.
Item 5: Fire-safety design approval + environmental procedures
Factories require fire-safety design approval plus environmental procedures (EIA or environmental registration depending on scale). Costs cover state approval fees + consultancy for dossier preparation — high fire-risk manufacturing can inflate this item substantially.
Item 6: Contingency for dossier revisions
In practice, permit dossiers rarely pass first time: the licensing authority typically requests explanations and supplements. Budget 10–15% of total consultancy/procedure costs for revision rounds — including redesign consultancy and waiting time (opportunity cost).
4. Cost summary table
| Cost item | Legal basis | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Permit issuance fee | Decree 217/2026; provincial People’s Council (e.g., Hai Phong VND 150,000) | Small |
| Design appraisal fee | Decree 206/2026; Circular 36/2026/TT-BXD | Medium – large |
| Design consultancy | Circular 36/2026/TT-BXD (% norms) | Large |
| Geological survey | Construction technical standards | Medium |
| Fire-safety approval + environment | Fire safety law; environmental law | Medium – large |
| Dossier revision contingency | Practice | 10–15% of consultancy costs |
Note: market figures here are indicative only, not legal standards; the permit fee varies by province.
5. Three tips to optimize cost and time
- Get the dossier right first time: hire designers experienced with the specific zone’s Management Board — they know the appraisal “taste” and reduce supplementation rounds.
- File fully online: track progress on the National Public Service Portal and respond to supplementation requests the same day to keep the 10-working-day clock running.
- Parallelize procedures: run geological surveys, environmental dossiers, and fire-safety design in parallel rather than sequentially — cutting total project time.
6. Frequently asked questions
How long does a factory construction permit in an industrial zone take?
10 working days from receipt of a complete dossier (Decree 217/2026/ND-CP) — excluding dossier preparation, design appraisal, and supplementation rounds.
Who issues construction permits for factories in industrial zones?
The Industrial/Economic Zone Management Board (Article 53, Decree 217/2026/ND-CP), fully online.
Is the permit fee the same in every province?
No. Each provincial People’s Council sets its own rate — check the local resolution before budgeting.
7. Legal bases (as of 14 October 2026)
- Construction Law 135/2025/QH15 — effective 1 July 2026 (replacing Law 50/2014).
- Decree 217/2026/ND-CP — effective 1 July 2026 (replacing Decree 175/2024): authority, timelines, permit fees.
- Decree 206/2026/ND-CP — effective 1 July 2026 (replacing Decree 10/2021): construction investment costs.
- Circular 36/2026/TT-BXD (replacing Circular 11/2021): consultancy and appraisal cost norms.
Contact us
FLAT Law Firm supports investors in preparing factory construction permit dossiers in industrial zones, working with Zone Management Boards, and handling related fire-safety and environmental procedures. Reach us via our contact page.
Transparency note — FLAW AI Legal Council: This article was prepared by the FLAW AI Legal Council and has not been reviewed by a human lawyer. It is general information and does not replace legal advice for specific projects.
This article is awaiting review by the QA Council.
