I. Entities Required to Obtain a Retail Outlet Establishment License
Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 5 of Decree No. 09/2018/ND-CP, as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 146/2025/ND-CP, a Retail Outlet Establishment License shall be granted to foreign-invested economic organizations for the establishment of retail outlets.
A foreign-invested economic organization that has already obtained a Business License and possesses documentation regarding the proposed retail outlet location is entitled to apply for a Retail Outlet Establishment License.
II. Dossier for Application for a Retail Outlet Establishment License
Pursuant to Article 27 of Decree No. 09/2018/ND-CP, as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 146/2025/ND-CP, the application dossier includes the following:
| No. | Dossier Components |
|---|---|
| 1 | Application for a Retail Outlet Establishment License (in the form prescribed by the competent authority). |
| 2 | Explanatory statement including: a) Location of the retail outlet: Address; description of the general area, relevant areas, and the area used for establishing the retail outlet; explanation of compliance with relevant planning conditions within the geographic market area; enclosed documents relating to the location. b) Business plan: Presentation of business and market development plans; labor demand; assessment of socio-economic impacts and effectiveness. c) Financial plan: Business performance report based on audited financial statements of the most recent year (if the entity has been established in Vietnam for at least one year); explanation of capital, funding sources, and capital mobilization plan; enclosed financial documents. |
| 3 | Certification from the tax authority confirming no outstanding overdue tax liabilities. |
| 4 | Copies of: Enterprise Registration Certificate, Investment Registration Certificate for the retail outlet project (if any), and Business License. |
| 5 | Explanation of ENT criteria (where the Economic Needs Test is required), including: a) Impact on market stability and on existing retail outlets and traditional markets in the geographic area; b) Impact on traffic density, environmental sanitation, and fire prevention and fighting; c) Contribution to socio-economic development, including: – Job creation for domestic workers; – Contribution to the development and modernization of the retail sector; – Improvement of the environment and living conditions of residents; – Contribution to the State budget. |
III. Procedures for Granting a Retail Outlet Establishment License
Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 8 of Decree No. 09/2018/ND-CP, as amended by Decree No. 146/2025/ND-CP, the licensing authority is the Department of Industry and Trade where the retail outlet is located.
Notes:
- The establishment of the first retail outlet does not require the ENT procedure.
- The establishment of subsequent retail outlets may or may not require ENT depending on specific cases.
1. Cases Not Subject to ENT
Pursuant to Article 28 of Decree No. 09/2018/ND-CP (as amended), the procedure is as follows:
- Submit 02 sets of dossiers directly, by post, or online (if applicable) to the licensing authority.
- Within 03 working days, the authority reviews the dossier and requests amendments if necessary.
- Within 10 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier:
- If conditions are not met, a written refusal stating reasons shall be issued;
- If conditions are met, the dossier shall be submitted to the Provincial People’s Committee for opinion.
- Within 07 working days, the Provincial People’s Committee shall issue written approval or refusal (with reasons).
- Within 03 working days from receiving approval, the licensing authority shall issue the license.
👉 Total processing time: 20 working days.
2. Cases Subject to ENT
- Submit 02 sets of dossiers to the licensing authority.
- Within 03 working days, the dossier is reviewed for completeness.
- Within 05 working days:
- If conditions are not met, a refusal shall be issued;
- If conditions are met, the authority proposes the establishment of an ENT Council.
- Within 07 working days, the Provincial People’s Committee establishes the ENT Council.
- Within 30 days, the ENT Council evaluates and issues a conclusion.
- Within 03 working days from receiving the conclusion:
- If not approved, a written refusal shall be issued;
- If approved, the dossier is submitted to the Provincial People’s Committee.
- Within 10 working days, the Provincial People’s Committee issues approval or refusal.
- Within 03 working days from approval, the license is granted.
👉 Total processing time: 55 working days.
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📞 Hotline: 0987 290 273 (LL.M., Lawyer Dinh Van Tuan)
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