What is the minimum charter capital when setting up a company?

The short answer: for most business lines, the law sets no minimum charter capital. However, setting capital too low or too high can both cause problems. This article helps you choose a sensible figure.

What Is Charter Capital?

Charter capital is the total value of assets that members or the owner have contributed or committed to contribute when setting up an LLC, or the total par value of shares sold or registered for purchase when setting up a joint stock company. It determines ownership percentages and limits the liability of members and shareholders.

Is There a Minimum Capital Requirement?

The Law on Enterprises sets no general minimum capital. You may register capital that suits your actual needs. The exception is business lines with specific requirements under sector-specific laws.

Business Lines Requiring Legal Capital or a Deposit

Some conditional business lines require legal capital or a deposit, for example:

• Commercial banks: legal capital of VND 3,000 billion.
• Employment services: deposit of VND 300 million.
• Travel services: a deposit based on the scope of domestic or international tours.
• Finance, insurance, securities, real estate and similar sectors: as provided by sector-specific regulations.

If your business line falls into this group, our lawyers will review it before filing – see our sub-licence service.

Capital Contribution Deadline: 90 Days

Members and shareholders must contribute the full capital within 90 days from the date the Enterprise Registration Certificate is issued (excluding time for transport, import and procedures to transfer ownership of contributed assets). If capital is not fully contributed by the deadline, the company must register an adjustment of its charter capital to the amount actually contributed.

Charter capital contribution deadline

1. Certificate issue dateThe contribution deadline starts running
2. Within 90 daysContribute the full committed capital
3. Within the next 30 daysNot fully contributed: register a capital adjustment
4. ResultCharter capital equals the capital actually contributed

How Much Charter Capital Should You Register?

3 factors when choosing charter capital

• Enough to operateEstimate premises, staff and inventory costs for the first 6 – 12 months
• Build credibilityPartners, banks and tender organizers may look at charter capital
• Within your meansIf you cannot contribute in full within 90 days, you must adjust it downward

• Enough to operate: estimate costs for the first 6 – 12 months (premises, staff, inventory).
• Build credibility: partners, banks and tender organizers may consider charter capital when assessing capability.
• Not too high: the higher the capital, the greater the obligation to contribute; if you cannot contribute in full, you must adjust it downward and may be penalized.

Since 2026, the business licence fee (previously based on charter capital) has been abolished, so charter capital no longer affects this fee.

Content reviewed by Lawyer Đoàn Minh Đức (Director – Managing Lawyer); updated 18 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.