Conditional Business Lines Vietnam: 142-Sector Guide
Vietnam reduced its list of conditional business lines from 198 to 142 on July 1, 2026. Resolution No. 66.17/2026/NQ-CP introduced the new list. The Resolution will apply through February 28, 2027, unless a new legal document replaces it earlier.
The reform can make it easier to enter several markets. Yet a shorter list does not make every affected activity free from all rules. Many companies must still follow sector laws, safety rules, staff rules or technical standards. The government may also inspect them after they start work.
Foreign investors need an extra review. They must check the 142-sector list and the rules on foreign market access. A business line may no longer need the same local licence, but foreign ownership limits or approval rules may still apply.
Key Takeaways
Vietnam now lists 142 conditional business lines.
The former list had 198 lines.
The new list has applied since July 1, 2026.
Resolution 66.17 will apply through February 28, 2027, unless another rule replaces it earlier.
The reform removed, narrowed or combined 56 former entries.
Removal from the list does not always remove every licence or legal duty.
The government now uses more technical standards and checks after a business starts.
Foreign investors must also review foreign ownership and market-access rules.
What Is a Conditional Business Line in Vietnam?
A conditional business line is an activity that a company may conduct only when it meets certain legal rules. Vietnam uses these rules to protect national security, public order, public health, social ethics and other public interests.
The conditions differ by sector. A company may need:
an operating licence or certificate;
a minimum amount of capital;
a qualified manager or licensed professional;
suitable offices, factories or equipment;
fire safety or environmental approval;
product quality and technical standards; or
approval for foreign ownership.
A company may register a business line on its Enterprise Registration Certificate. This step alone may not allow the company to start that activity. The company must first meet any conditions that apply before launch. It must then maintain them while doing business.
Conditional, Prohibited and Market-Access Lines
Investors should not treat all business restrictions as the same. Vietnam uses three separate legal ideas.
Prohibited business lines
The law does not allow investors to conduct prohibited activities. A company cannot solve this issue by applying for an extra licence.
Conditional business lines
A company may conduct these activities after it meets the relevant conditions. The current Resolution lists 142 lines.
Foreign market-access conditions
These rules apply to foreign investors. They may set an ownership limit, require a local partner or restrict how a foreign company enters the market. A sector may not appear problematic for a Vietnamese-owned company but may still require extra review for a foreign-owned company.
Foreign investors should complete all three checks. Looking only at the 142-sector list can miss an important ownership or approval rule.
What Changed Under Resolution 66.17?
Resolution 66.17 replaced the previous list of 198 conditional business lines with a new list of 142. The change took effect on July 1, 2026.
The government reviewed the former list using three main tests. First, it removed conditions that were no longer needed to protect the public. Second, it addressed rules that were unclear or repeated controls found in other laws. Third, it moved suitable activities from advance approval to technical standards and later checks.
This approach can reduce paperwork before a business opens. It can also prevent two agencies from checking the same issue through separate licences.
The figure of 56 needs careful explanation. The government did not simply make 56 complete industries free from regulation. It removed some entries, narrowed others and combined some activities under wider entries. A company must compare the exact wording of its work with the new list.
Why Vietnam Reduced the List
The reform aims to lower market-entry barriers and make business rules clearer. The former system required companies in many fields to prove compliance before they could start. This process often increased costs and delayed a launch.
The new approach allows the government to manage more activities through clear standards. An authority can then check whether a company follows those standards during its work.
This change can offer three benefits:
fewer applications before launch;
lower time and filing costs; and
clearer responsibility for day-to-day compliance.
The change also creates a new risk. Companies may start sooner but face stronger checks later. A business that fails an inspection may receive a fine or an order to stop part of its work.
Which Business Groups Changed?
The reform affects many service and trade activities. Legal reviews identify changes across five broad groups.
Finance, accounting and trade
Changes cover areas such as tax procedure services, customs brokerage, insurance support, commercial assessment, energy auditing and document storage. Some temporary import and re-export activities also changed.
Culture, employment and health services
The review covered employment services, overseas study advice, cremation facilities, cosmetic surgery and some cultural events. These activities may still face rules under labour, health or culture laws.
Construction and transport
Changes affect several construction and transport services. Examples include some vessel work, towage, maritime safety support, architectural services, cost advice and apartment building management.
Technology and land services
The reform reviewed data centre services, equipment testing and some land information services. A company in these fields must still check data, construction, land and technical rules.
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries
Several entries linked to animals, plants, food and quarantine changed. Companies must still follow animal health, food safety, environmental and wildlife protection laws.
These examples show the range of the reform. They do not prove that every licence has ended. An activity may now sit under a wider business line or another sector law.
Which Sectors Remain Conditional?
Vietnam still keeps many high-risk or public-interest activities on the list. Major examples include:
securities, insurance and payment services;
credit information and gold trading;
petroleum, chemicals and industrial explosives;
tobacco and regulated food business;
electricity and oil and gas activities;
rice export and e-commerce;
vocational education and services that send workers overseas;
road transport and vehicle inspection;
healthcare and medicine businesses;
real estate-related services;
data exchange services;
services linked to crypto assets; and
personal data processing services.
This is not the full list. The official appendix has 142 entries. Businesses should use the official wording when they review an activity.
Do Removed Business Lines Still Need a Licence?
No. A removed entry may still face controls under another law.
A company may still need:
a sector operating licence;
a professional certificate;
approval for a factory, office or other facility;
product testing or safety proof;
fire prevention documents;
environmental approval;
construction or land approval; or
permission for foreign investment.
The key question is not only, “Was this line removed?” The company should ask, “Which exact condition ended, and which rules still apply?”
For example, a service may no longer appear as a separate conditional line. However, staff may still need professional certificates. The site may still need fire safety approval. The products may still need quality tests.
From Advance Approval to Later Inspection
Resolution 66.17 supports a wider move from advance approval to later inspection.
Under the former approach, a company often had to prove that it met many conditions before it started work. The new approach may let the company enter the market sooner. The company then shows compliance through records and actual business practice.
This does not reduce the need for control. It changes the time when authorities check the business.
Companies should prepare for inspections by keeping:
staff qualifications and contracts;
equipment and maintenance records;
fire and safety documents;
product test results;
customer and supplier records;
required internal policies; and
proof that the company follows sector standards.
A simple compliance file can reduce risk during an inspection. It also helps a company respond when a bank, partner or customer asks for proof.
What Happens to Existing Licences?
Companies may continue to use licences and approvals already issued for affected lines. This includes certificates, professional cards, written confirmations and similar documents. They remain valid until their expiry date.
Do not cancel an existing licence only because the list changed. Another law may still require it. The document may also support a bank review, customer check or government inspection.
Before taking action, ask the relevant authority whether the licence still applies. Keep written guidance when possible.
Three Practical Examples
Example 1: A data centre investor
A foreign investor plans to open a data centre. The company should not stop its review after seeing that the treatment of data centre services changed. It must also check construction, power, fire safety, data protection and foreign market-access rules.
Example 2: An employment service company
An employment service may face fewer entry conditions under the new list. The company still needs to check labour rules, staff duties, reporting and any licence required under a separate labour document.
Example 3: An e-commerce company
E-commerce remains on the conditional list. The business may need to complete platform notices or registration. It must also follow tax, consumer, data and online trading rules. Foreign investors should check market-access conditions before company setup.
These cases show why a business-line review must look beyond one appendix.
What Foreign Investors Should Check
Foreign investors can use the following process:
Describe the real activity. State what the company will sell, make or provide.
Choose the correct business code. Match the activity with Vietnam’s business classification system.
Check the 142-sector list. Confirm whether the activity falls within a conditional line.
Read the sector law. Identify licences, staff rules, facility rules and technical standards.
Check foreign market access. Review ownership limits, partner rules and international commitments.
Review project documents. Check whether the Investment Registration Certificate needs an update.
Review company documents. Check whether the Enterprise Registration Certificate needs an update.
Keep valid approvals. Do not give up an existing licence without clear advice.
Prepare inspection records. Keep evidence of day-to-day compliance.
Track the next legal change. Resolution 66.17 will end on February 28, 2027 unless another rule replaces it sooner.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming that “removed” means “no rules”
This is the most common error. Another law may still control the activity.
Using only a short online list
Business descriptions differ across legal documents. A short summary may omit a wider category that still covers the activity.
Ignoring foreign ownership rules
The conditional list and foreign market-access rules serve different purposes. Foreign investors must check both.
Cancelling an existing licence too early
A valid document may still help the business or remain legally required.
Focusing only on market entry
The new system places more weight on later checks. Companies need ongoing records, training and internal controls.
What the Reform Means for Businesses
The shorter list can lower entry costs and shorten the time needed to start some activities. It can also make Vietnam more attractive to investors in services, technology, construction and trade.
However, the reform does not end business compliance. It moves more responsibility to the company. Managers must understand the standards that apply after launch and keep proof of compliance.
The best approach is a line-by-line legal review. Identify which approval ended, which rules remain and which agency will check the business.
How VINEX Can Help
VINEX helps foreign investors review business lines and set up companies in Vietnam. We also support licence checks, investment and company registration, accounting, tax, payroll and company administration.
VINEX can compare your planned activities with the new 142-sector list. We can also identify related licences and foreign market-access rules. This review helps you build a clear market-entry plan before you invest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many conditional business lines does Vietnam have in 2026?
Vietnam has 142 conditional business lines under Resolution 66.17 from July 1, 2026.
Did Vietnam remove 56 business lines?
The list fell from 198 to 142. The reform removed, narrowed or combined 56 former entries. It did not make every activity within those entries free from all rules.
Can a company start at once if its business line changed?
Not always. The company must still check sector laws, licences, technical standards and foreign investment rules.
Do foreign investors follow extra rules?
Yes. Foreign investors must also check ownership limits and other market-access conditions.
Can a company keep its existing licence?
Yes. Existing licences and similar approvals may remain valid until they expire.
Does the new list apply permanently?
No. Resolution 66.17 applies from July 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. A new legal document may replace it earlier.
Where can businesses find the full list?
The appendix to Resolution 66.17 contains the full list. The Government News website also provides an English list of all 142 lines.
What should a foreign investor do first?
Define the exact planned activities. Then compare them with the 142-sector list, the relevant sector law and the foreign market-access rules.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Investors should obtain advice based on their exact activities, ownership structure and location.
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