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What a joint stock company is, and who may form one

A công ty cổ phần (a joint stock company) is a form of enterprise whose charter capital is divided into equal shares, under article 111 of Luật Doanh nghiệp 2020 (the Law on Enterprises).

The minimum number of shareholders is three, with no upper limit. Shareholders may be individuals or organisations, and are financially liable up to the capital contributed.

The charter capital may change during the company's life. A joint stock company may issue shares, bonds and other securities to raise capital, which is what distinguishes it from a limited liability company.

Naming the company and choosing the business lines

The company name must contain the company form (Công ty Cổ phần or Công ty CP) and the proper name. Before filing, search the name on the national business registration portal so that it does not duplicate or resemble an enterprise already registered.

An example of a valid name: CÔNG TY CỔ PHẦN SAO VIỆT.

There is no compulsory minimum charter capital, apart from lines of business carrying a statutory capital requirement. Business lines must be declared using the codes of the Vietnamese standard industrial classification.

What the formation file contains

The enterprise registration application on the prescribed form.

The company charter, approved by the founding shareholders.

The list of founding shareholders, stating each one's shareholding.

Copies of legal documents: Căn cước card, CCCD citizen identity card or passport for an individual shareholder (no copy needed where the personal identification number is declared); the organisation's legal documents together with the instrument appointing its representative, for a corporate shareholder.

Where a shareholder is a foreign investor, the investment registration certificate under the Law on Investment is also required. Since 1 March 2026 a foreign investor may also form the company before applying for the Giấy chứng nhận đăng ký đầu tư (IRC): the file then carries no IRC but a commitment to meet the market access conditions, and the company must obtain the IRC within 12 months (Điều 19 Luật Đầu tư 143/2025/QH15, article 19 of the Law on Investment; Điều 72 Nghị định 96/2026/NĐ-CP, article 72 of Decree 96/2026).

Where to file in Gia Lai, and how long licensing takes

Since 1 July 2025 the former Bình Định and Gia Lai provinces have been merged into Gia Lai province under Nghị quyết 202/2025/QH15 (Resolution 202/2025), with the administrative centre in Quy Nhơn. Sở Kế hoạch và Đầu tư (the former Department of Planning and Investment) no longer receives enterprise registration files.

The file goes to Sở Tài chính tỉnh Gia Lai (the provincial Department of Finance), Phòng Doanh nghiệp và Kinh tế tập thể (its Enterprise and Collective Economy Division), at 181-183 Lê Hồng Phong, Phường Quy Nhơn. Telephone: 0256.3903666.

The enterprise registration certificate is issued within three working days from a valid file.

What to do as soon as you have the licence

Have the corporate seal made by an authorised engraver.

Buy a digital signature token for electronic tax filing.

Register with the tax authority to use e-invoices before issuing your first invoice.

Make the initial tax declaration with the tax office managing you, even if no revenue has yet arisen.

Put up the signboard at the head office and open a company bank account.

Since 1 January 2026 enterprises no longer pay the thuế môn bài (the annual business licence fee): it has been abolished. Register social insurance for employees, open the accounting books, and meet the obligations for value added tax and corporate income tax as required.

The all-inclusive cost of forming a joint stock company

The all-inclusive company formation service at Tư Vấn Sao Việt costs 2.000.000 đồng, covering drafting, filing, collecting the result and handing over the seal.

There is an express package that issues the licence in one day, with a surcharge agreed according to the request.

The process

1. Settle the name, charter capital and business lines Search the name on the national portal, and settle the charter capital and the appropriate activity codes.
2. Draft the enterprise registration file Prepare the registration application, the company charter, the list of founding shareholders and copies of legal documents for shareholders whose personal identification number is not declared.
3. File with Sở Tài chính tỉnh Gia Lai File with the Phòng Doanh nghiệp và Kinh tế tập thể, 181-183 Lê Hồng Phong, Phường Quy Nhơn.
4. Seal, digital signature, e-invoices Complete the post-formation steps before trading begins.