A quick lookup tool: is your sector on Vietnam’s restricted market access list for foreign investors? This article lists all 17 “not yet accessible” sectors and shows how to check conditions for the “conditional access” group.
The 17 not-yet-accessible sectors
Foreign investors may not operate in: (1) state-monopoly goods/services in trade; (2) press, news gathering; (3) fishing, seafood harvesting; (4) investigation, security services; (5) judicial administration — forensic appraisal, bailiffs, asset auctions, notarization, trustees; (6) sending workers abroad; (7) cemetery infrastructure for land-use-right transfer; (8) household waste collection; (9) public opinion polling; (10) blasting services; (11) weapons, explosives, support tools; (12) used-vessel import/dismantling; (13) public postal services; (14) goods transshipment; (15) temporary import/re-export; (16) export/import/distribution rights for restricted goods; (17) acquiring public assets at armed-force units.
Conditional access: where to check?
There is no single “closed” list — check three layers: layer 1: international commitments — Vietnam’s WTO, CPTPP and EVFTA schedules (each FTA has its own opening roadmap); layer 2: specialized laws — Law on Credit Institutions (banking), Securities Law, Aviation Law, Telecommunications Law…; layer 3: guiding instruments — decrees and circulars detailing ownership ratios and investment forms. The correct lookup order: identify the sector code → check international commitments by nationality → check specialized law → consolidate conditions.
Practical notes
(1) The list may be adjusted with socio-economic conditions — check the current version when structuring a project, not an old one; (2) “not yet accessible” differs from “prohibited business” (Article 6): the former applies only to foreign investors, while domestic investors may still operate (e.g., press, notarization); (3) for conditional sectors, the best terms usually go to investors from countries with new-generation FTAs with Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the authoritative restricted list?
Combine: Investment Law 143/2025, Vietnam’s WTO/FTA commitments, and the specialized law of your sector.
Does “not yet accessible” apply to domestic investors?
No — only foreign investors are restricted; domestic investors may operate (except absolutely prohibited lines).
Is press a prohibited sector?
Not “prohibited business” — it is “not yet market-accessible” for foreign investors.
Does the list change?
Yes — the Government reviews it with socio-economic conditions; always check the latest version when structuring.
FLAT Law Firm looks up and consolidates market-access conditions by sector and nationality — producing a legal map before investors decide on structure.