Can I register the company's head office at my home or an apartment?
Rules on a company’s head office address: private houses, apartments, leased offices and shared offices. What is allowed, what is not, and tips when choosing.
Choosing the head office address is one of the first decisions when forming a company. It determines the business registration authority and tax authority in charge, and is where the company receives official documents.
Rules on the Head Office
Under Article 42 of the Law on Enterprises, the head office is located in Vietnam, is the enterprise’s contact address and is identified by administrative boundaries; it has a telephone number, fax number and email (if any). The address must state the house number, street or hamlet, ward/commune and province/city.
Company Head Office: Private House or Apartment?
| Item | Private House, Office | Residential Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| As Head Office | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Conditions | Has a defined address down to the house number | Only office or commercial floor areas may be used |
| At Registration | No proof documents required | The application may be rejected |
| Notes | Displaying a signboard at the head office | May be required to relocate the head office |
Private House: Allowed
You may use a detached residential house with a defined address as your head office. At registration, current law does not require documents proving the right to use the address, but you must ensure lawful use rights and display a signboard at the head office.
Residential Apartment: Not Allowed
Housing law prohibits using apartments for purposes other than residence. Therefore, an apartment used only for residence may not be used as a company head office. If the building has office or commercial areas (shophouses or officetels permitted for business), you can place the head office there.
Leased Offices and Shared Offices
Leased offices, shared offices (coworking) and virtual office services can all be used as a head office if they have a defined address and a lawful lease contract. Choose a reputable lessor that commits to receiving mail and supporting you during tax authority inspections.
Tips When Choosing an Address
- Check the address against the new administrative units after the province and commune reorganization.
- Some business lines have location requirements (for example: food service, education, premises subject to fire safety requirements).
- Moving the head office to another area may change the tax authority in charge – complete tax procedures first.
Not sure whether your address can be used? Send it to HDS Law and our lawyers will check it free of charge before you file the company formation application.
Content reviewed by Lawyer Đoàn Minh Đức (Director – Managing Lawyer); updated 8 Oct 2026.
This article is for reference only, based on regulations as of the update date. For advice on your specific case, please contact a lawyer.
