Pursuant to Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly, Vietnam officially establishes and operates the International Financial Centre (International Financial Centre – IFC) from 1 September 2025. The IFC is oriented to become a hub for international financial, investment, and financial service activities, operating in accordance with global standards and applying special and preferential policy mechanisms that are more favourable than the general legal framework.
Permitting the establishment of enterprises and the implementation of investment activities within the IFC represents a strategic step to attract international capital flows, major financial institutions, fintech companies, and high-quality human resources.
What Is an International Financial Centre?
An International Financial Centre (IFC) is not merely a location for corporate headquarters, but a special legal and regulatory space that allows for:
- The conduct of financial and investment activities in line with international practices;
- The application of dedicated management and supervisory mechanisms to ensure system safety and effective risk control;
- The pilot implementation of new business models and financial products, including fintech solutions and digital assets, within permitted limits.
Under this approach, Vietnam’s IFC is developed as a centre that integrates both physical infrastructure and a preferential legal-institutional framework, forming the foundation for incentives relating to taxation, investment, labour, and business conditions when establishing a company within the IFC.
Tax Incentives for Establishing a Company in the IFC
Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Incentives
Enterprises established and operating in the IFC are entitled to highly preferential corporate income tax policies, including:
- A preferential CIT rate of 10% for up to 30 years for projects in priority sectors and industries;
- CIT exemption for up to 4 years from the first year in which taxable income is generated;
- A 50% reduction of payable CIT for the subsequent 9 years;
- For projects outside priority sectors, a preferential CIT rate of 15% for 15 years, together with tax exemption and reduction incentives in accordance with applicable regulations.
These long-term incentives provide a significant competitive advantage compared to ordinary investment areas in Vietnam and other jurisdictions in Southeast Asia.
Personal Income Tax (PIT) Incentives
One of the most notable incentives for establishing a company in the IFC is the preferential tax policy for senior personnel and experts:
- PIT exemption until the end of 2030 for income from salaries and wages earned by experts, managers, scientists, and high-quality professionals working in the IFC;
- PIT exemption for income from the transfer of shares, capital contributions, and capital contribution rights arising within the IFC, subject to statutory conditions.
These policies enable IFC-based enterprises to attract and retain international talent while significantly reducing labour costs during the initial stages of operation.
Export and Import Duty Incentives
Goods and services serving the operations of enterprises in the IFC:
- Are subject to preferential duty rates under international treaties to which Vietnam is a party;
- Benefit from facilitative customs, logistics, and goods circulation mechanisms supporting cross-border financial and investment activities.
Incentives Relating to Investment Conditions and Enterprise Establishment
Flexible Investment and Establishment Procedures
Enterprises established in the IFC benefit from:
- Simplified investment and licensing procedures, shortening processing timelines;
- Coordinated and integrated mechanisms among competent state authorities within the IFC;
- A stable, transparent, and predictable legal environment for long-term investors.
Asset Ownership Rights and Access to Capital
Foreign-invested enterprises operating in the IFC are entitled to:
- Mortgage land use rights and land-attached assets to foreign credit institutions for capital mobilisation purposes;
- Conduct international financial and investment transactions with a higher degree of flexibility compared to areas outside the IFC;
- Access a wide range of financial products and asset management services in line with international practices.
Incentives for Foreign Labour and Human Resources
When establishing a company in the IFC, enterprises enjoy various labour-related incentives, including:
- No statutory cap on the proportion of foreign employees, unlike general regulations;
- Foreign experts, managers, and investors may be granted visas and temporary residence cards with a validity of up to 10 years;
- Exemption from work permit requirements for certain eligible individuals;
- In special cases, eligibility for consideration for permanent residence in Vietnam.
These incentives enable IFC-based enterprises to build international management teams and expert workforces from the outset.
Incentives for Access to New Business Models and Financial Products
The IFC is positioned as a testing ground for modern financial models. Accordingly, enterprises established within the IFC have opportunities to:
- Participate in regulatory sandbox mechanisms for fintech business models;
- Develop and offer new financial products, including digital assets and digitalised financial services, within a risk-managed framework;
- Access the international financial ecosystem and connect with global financial institutions and investors.
Establishing a company in Vietnam’s International Financial Centre (IFC) offers significant incentives in terms of taxation, investment conditions, human resources, and the legal environment, making it particularly suitable for enterprises operating in finance, investment, fintech, and international financial services. With a long-term development orientation and open policy framework, the IFC is expected to become an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investors.
Siglaw Firm provides comprehensive legal advisory services relating to the establishment and operation of enterprises in the IFC, including advice on investment structuring, incentive policies, legal conditions, and compliance support in accordance with Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15 and relevant legal regulations.
Contact us today for an initial free consultation with Siglaw’s experienced legal professionals.
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