Administrative unit reorganization: do enterprises have to change the address on their licences?

From 1 Jul 2025, the whole country operates a two-tier local government model: many provinces and cities have been merged, the district level no longer exists, and wards and communes have been reorganized. Hundreds of thousands of businesses have head office addresses whose administrative unit names have changed even though they have not moved.

Is It Mandatory to Change the Address?

According to guidance from the Ministry of Finance, businesses are not required to carry out a procedure solely to update the new administrative unit names on the Enterprise Registration Certificate. Certificates already issued remain valid. Businesses may update them when needed or when registering other changes.

This covers addresses that change due to administrative reorganization. If a business actually moves its head office elsewhere, it must still register the change within 10 days as usual.

What Should Businesses Do When Administrative Units Change?

• Check the new addressWard, commune, province and city names after reorganization
• Certificate change not yet mandatoryUpdate when needed or when changing other details
• Keep contracts and invoices consistentYou may add the old address so partners can easily cross-check
• Update signage and printed materialsAccording to the business's own plan

Which Address Goes on Invoices and Contracts?

During the transition period, businesses should state the address under the new administrative unit, and may add the old address in brackets so partners can cross-check. Information on e-invoices must be consistent with tax registration information – check the guidance of your managing tax authority before changing invoice templates.

Do the Seal and Signage Have to Be Redone?

Businesses decide the content of their seal themselves. If the seal does not show the address, no change is needed. Signage at the head office should be updated to the new address for the convenience of clients and regulators.

When Should You Update?

• When registering other changes such as business lines, capital or legal representative – update at the same time in the same document package.
• When bidding, borrowing or signing major contracts where partners require consistent information.
• When preparing to reprint the firm profile, printed materials or signage.

HDS Law checks your case for free and carries out a full-service amendment of business registration when needed.

Content reviewed by Lawyer Đoàn Minh Đức (Director – Managing Lawyer); updated 16 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.