Foreign Investment Guidelines Provisions for foreign investment activities in Vietnam are stipulated in the Law on Foreign Investmentamended on June 9, 2001and its implementation documents. These include Government Decree 24/2000/ND-CP, dated July 31, 2000; Ministry Planning and Investment Circular 12/2000/TT-BKH, dated September 15, 2000; and Government decrees on industrial zones, processing zones, and high-technology zones. To establish a foreign investment project, investors must contact: Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) Provincial People's Committee of the region where the project is located Board of Management of industrial zones, export-processing zones, or high-technology zones where the project is located Vietnamese partners, if applicable Depending on the nature, scope, and location of the proposal, four authority levels are responsible for decision-making on each project: The Prime Minister Ministry of Planning and Investment Provincial People's Committees Board of Management of industrial zones, export-processing zones, and high-technology zones Three levels of authority are required for the issuance of investment licenses: Ministry of Planning and Investment Provincial People's Committees Board of Management of industrial zones, export-processing zones, and high-technology zones The Government of Vietnam reserves the right to: Stipulate the regions in which investment is encouraged Issue a list of encouraged investment projects Indicate the sectors in which licensing is conditional and those in which it will not be granted Foreign investments will be accepted in Vietnam in the following forms: Business cooperation contract Joint venture enterprise Enterprise with 100 percent foreign-owned capital Build-Operate-Transfer contract (BOT) Build-Transfer-Operate contract (BTO) Build-Transfer contract (BT) Forms for foreign-investment projects and investment licenses are issued by the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Turnaround times for investment licenses Projects under decision by the Prime Minister: within 45 days from the day of receipt of a proper file Projects under decision by the Ministry of Planning and Investment: within 30 days from the day of receipt of a proper file. Projects under decision by the Provincial People's Committee: within 30 days from the day of receipt of a proper file Projects under decision by Board of Management of industrial zones, export-processing zones, high-technology zones: within 15 days from the day of receipt of a proper file. Business Advisor Guidelines | Taxes/Rates | Export/Import | Laws | Offices | Forex | IP/Copyright