Receiving an Enterprise Registration Certificate is an important first step. A new company should then put the essentials in place to operate lawfully and reduce risk from the outset.
Many businesses see the certificate as the final step in setting up a company. In practice, it is the starting point for organising company records, opening bank accounts and arranging tax filings, invoicing, digital signatures, standard contracts and approval procedures. Without early preparation, a company may run into difficulties when signing its first contract, receiving payments or issuing invoices.
Amendments to the Law on Enterprises and the business registration rules under Decree 168/2025/ND-CP have applied since 1 July 2025. Newly incorporated businesses should therefore check current requirements rather than rely on an outdated checklist.
Retain and check the original legal records
Immediately after registration, the company should retain its core legal documents, including the Enterprise Registration Certificate, charter, list of members or founding shareholders where applicable, capital contribution decisions, legal representative's documents and relevant internal incorporation records.
The certificate details should be checked again: company name, enterprise registration number, registered office, charter capital, legal representative and registered business lines. Errors or information inconsistent with actual operations should be addressed before contracts, invoices or banking transactions arise.
Company seal, digital signature and bank account
Under the current Law on Enterprises, companies may determine their seals in accordance with legal requirements and their needs. In practice, many counterparties, banks and authorities still require seals on transaction documents, so the company should establish rules on seal management, custody and permitted use.
Digital signatures are important for many electronic transactions, particularly tax, invoicing and insurance. Businesses should register a digital signature, control user permissions and carefully retain administrator account details. They should also open a business bank account, agree on payment approval authority and retain transaction evidence from the outset.
Initial tax matters and electronic invoices
New companies should check their initial tax obligations, filing methods, reporting periods, business licence fees where payable, and details registered with the tax authority. Significant tax changes in 2025 and 2026 include the new Law on Tax Administration, effective from 1 July 2026, the 2024 Law on Value Added Tax, the 2025 Law on Corporate Income Tax and implementing legislation. Businesses should confirm the relevant deadlines and forms with their accountant or tax authority.
When invoices are needed, the company should prepare to use electronic invoices under the applicable invoicing and documentation rules. Contracts, acceptance records, payment evidence and invoices should be designed together to provide adequate accounting and tax support for transactions.
Capital contributions and internal governance
For limited liability and joint stock companies, timely capital contributions and supporting records are important. Businesses should prepare contribution evidence, member or shareholder registers, internal decisions and documents recording ownership interests. If members or shareholders fail to contribute in full, or changes occur, the corresponding statutory adjustment obligations should be considered.
Even small companies should have basic approval procedures: who may sign contracts, who may approve expenditure, which transaction thresholds require the owner's, Members' Council's or Board of Directors' approval, and which original documents must be retained. These rules help prevent unauthorised commitments and undocumented decisions.
Standard contracts, personnel and data security
Before selling goods or providing services, businesses should prepare standard contracts, quotations, acceptance records, payment terms and, where appropriate, warranty or complaints-handling policies. A good standard contract need not be long, but it should clearly set out delivery arrangements, payment terms and each party's responsibilities.
If hiring staff, the company should prepare employment contracts, salary scales or remuneration policies, insurance records, workplace rules and asset handover procedures. Where client, employee or partner data is collected, management, access controls and protection should comply with current personal data protection rules.
The first 30 days: a checklist
During the first 30 days, businesses should prioritise checking original legal records, setting up a digital signature, opening a bank account, discussing initial tax matters with their accountant, preparing electronic invoicing when needed, completing capital contribution records, developing basic standard contracts and allocating signing authority. They can then continue standardising finance, personnel and document-retention procedures.
This article provides general information only. Depending on the company type, business lines, location, capital contributions and timing of transactions, businesses should consult their accountant or adviser for a suitable checklist.