Do you want to invest overseas into Vietnam? Do you want to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam with total confidence? In here, we lay out from legal steps to best practices. You will understand the risks, avoid mistakes, and learn how to handle it, without the need to travel to Vietnam to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam.
So Why Vietnam?
OK. Vietnam is calling.
Vietnam has taken a strategic role in the global market.
Investors from around the world are taking notice especially amid geopolitical tensions i.e. tariffs, new forms of competing between nations and continents for supply chains of critical products, financial and human capital, technology, data and digital infrastructure.
There are ways for foreign investors especially those who want to invest without setting up a company in Vietnam, to get access to Vietnam’s financial markets.
But before you can invest in Vietnamese securities as a foreigner, one thing is required. You must open an indirect investment account in Vietnam. Without this specific account, foreign capital cannot enter the market legally. Transactions may be blocked. Dividends cannot be received. Profits cannot be repatriated.
We will you through the full process: what this account is, who needs it, how to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam, what documents to prepare, what mistakes to avoid, and how to stay compliant.
Whether you are an individual investor or managing a fund, this is the step-by-step guide you need to begin your investment journey in Vietnam with legal confidence and strategic clarity.
Vietnam Welcomes Foreign Capital, But With Structure
Vietnam has gained global attention for its vibrant economy, expanding middle class, and fast-growing capital markets. Foreign investors, both institutional and individual are actively seeking access to these opportunities.
The Vietnamese legal system offers two main channels for foreign investment: direct and indirect. Direct investment means setting up a company in Vietnam or acquiring equity in a company in Vietnam and participating in its management. Indirect investment allows foreigners to buy listed stocks, corporate bonds, government securities, and fund units without owning or running any company in Vietnam.
To separate these flows, Vietnamese law requires indirect investors to channel their capital through a regulated account. That account must be held in Vietnamese dong (VND), opened at a commercial bank licensed for foreign exchange operations.
The purpose of the account is not administrative, it is foundational. It ensures capital flows are traceable, legal, and fully aligned with foreign exchange control laws which are quite strict in Vietnam under the management of the State Bank of Vietnam.
To participate in Vietnam’s securities markets legally and efficiently, every non-resident investor must open an indirect investment account in Vietnam.
What You’ll Gain by Reading This Guide
This will help you cut through the complexity and act with confidence.
You will learn exactly what an indirect investment account is, how it works, who needs one, and why and how to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam. You will understand the legal foundations behind it, and how to navigate the steps to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam from inside or outside. You will see what documents to prepare, what risks to avoid, and how to keep the account in good legal standing once opened.
Most importantly, this guide will help you avoid the common but costly mistake of trying to invest without proper legal access. By the end, you will be equipped to take the right steps, in the right order, with full clarity.
The Investor Who Missed the First Step
Imagine an investor after months of research selects several high-performing Vietnamese companies and places a buy order through a broker. But the investor could not initiate a wire transfer to fund the purchase because there was no proper investment account established to receive and process the funds. The bank cannot accept the capital. The investment opportunity slips away.
Only later does the investor learn to do from the beginning: open an indirect investment account in Vietnam. With this account in place, the funds would have been received without issue. The order would have gone through. The capital would have entered the market legally and cleanly.
This story is avoidable.
The Legal and Operational Rules You Must Know
The indirect investment account is a regulated Vietnamese bank account. It is held in local currency (VND) and is used solely for foreign portfolio investments. It is not a general-purpose account. It is not used for business income, salary payments, or personal transfers.
Every foreign investor who wants to participate in Vietnam’s capital markets without forming a business must open this account first.
Funds sent from abroad are received into this account. Investments in stocks, bonds, and funds are paid from this account. Dividends, interest, and capital gains are returned into it. And finally, when investors wish to exit the market, profits are repatriated from this account, after tax clearance and documentation.
Vietnamese law does not allow foreign investors to use personal bank accounts or random VND accounts for these activities. The indirect investment account is the only legal vehicle approved for these purposes.
To open an indirect investment account in Vietnam is not difficult, but it must be done properly.
Before applying to a bank, investors must first register for a trading code with the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSDC). This code identifies the investor in the securities system and is required for all market transactions.
Once the code is issued, investors prepare documents to submit to the bank. These typically include the following to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam:
- A valid passport or corporate registration certificate
- The VSDC-issued trading code
- Application forms provided by the bank
- A notarized Power of Attorney if someone will act on the investor’s behalf
- Certified translations of documents if required by the bank
There is no need to travel to Vietnam to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam. Many investors open an indirect investment account in Vietnam remotely by appointing a legal representative. The authorization must be legally prepared and authenticated, but the entire process can be completed from abroad.
Most banks process account openings within five to ten business days once all documents are received to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam.
After the account is opened, it becomes the official channel for all investment-related payments. Investors must ensure that every transaction going into or out of the account is related to legitimate investment activity. Banks will ask for supporting documentation. Transactions that do not match the account’s purpose can be rejected.
How to Move Forward with Clarity
If you plan to buy Vietnamese securities or participate in the local fund market, the first thing you should do is plan to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam. Do not wait until a bank rejects your transfer or a broker refuses to execute your trade.
Start with a clear understanding of what kind of investor you are. If you are not forming a company in Vietnam, if you are not involved in managing a business in Vietnam, and if your focus is purely financial investment, you fall under the category of indirect investor.
The next step is to contact a bank or a trusted legal advisor in Vietnam. Ask for a list of required documents, and review the procedure for obtaining a trading code. If you prefer not to travel, discuss the Power of Attorney requirements and how your representative can assist in your place to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam.
Be mindful of compliance in Vietnam. Do not use the investment account to receive unrelated payments. Do not transfer money in or out without documenting the reason. Always keep records of your trades, tax filings, and approvals.
Working with an experienced legal advisor in Vietnam can reduce mistakes and save time. Advisors can handle everything from VSDC registration to communication with banks and post-account support.
Vietnam is opening its doors to foreign capital but there is regulation in place.
A Strong First Step into a Growing Market
Vietnam’s capital markets are full of potential. But investing legally requires preparation. You must go through the right channels. You must follow the rules. And you must begin with the right structure.
That structure starts when you open an indirect investment account in Vietnam.
With this account, you unlock legal access to the market. You gain the ability to move capital in and out. You establish a relationship with a bank that understands your role. And you build a foundation of trust and compliance.
Many foreign investors make the mistake of trying to invest first and understand the legal requirements later. That approach leads to delays, losses, and frustration.
But you do not need to make that mistake. With this guide, you now have the information you need to act strategically.
So to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam, you will need to prepare your documents. Appoint a trusted partner. Ask the right questions. And take your first step toward a structured, legal, and rewarding investment in Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) To Open an Indirect Investment Account in Vietnam
Q1: Do I really need to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam to invest?
Yes. If you are a foreign investor who wants to buy Vietnamese stocks, bonds, or investment fund units, this account is legally required.
Q2: Can I use my personal or business account for investing?
No. Vietnamese law requires all indirect investment to go through a special VND account used only for this purpose.
Q3: Can I open the account from outside Vietnam?
Yes. You can open the account remotely by giving Power of Attorney (POA) to a trusted legal or financial representative in Vietnam.
Q4: What currency is the account in?
It is in Vietnamese dong (VND). All transactions must be made in VND.
Q5: What can I do with this account?
You can use it to transfer money into Vietnam, buy and sell securities, receive dividends, and transfer profits out—if done properly.
Q6: What documents do I need to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam?
Usually, you need your passport or company registration, a trading code from the Vietnam Securities Depository, bank application forms, and a POA if you’re not in Vietnam.
Q7: How long does it take to open an indirect investment account in Vietnam?
On average, it takes 1 to 2 weeks after submitting complete and correct documents.
Q8: Can I open more than one account?
No. You are allowed only one indirect investment account at a time unless you manage multiple trading codes as a fund or institutional investor.
Q9: What happens if I use the account for non-investment purposes?
The bank may freeze or close your account, and your transactions may be blocked for violating regulations.
Step-by-Step Summary Guide
Step 1: Register a Trading Code
Apply to the Vietnam Securities Depository (VSDC) with basic ID or business documents.
Step 2: Choose a Licensed Bank in Vietnam
Pick a bank that offers services for foreign investors (e.g. Vietcombank, BIDV, HSBC).
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents to Open an Indirect Investment Account in Vietnam
Get your ID, trading code, and bank forms ready. Include notarized POA if you will appoint a local representative.
Step 4: Submit to the Bank
Send the full document set to the bank. Some banks allow scanned copies at first.
Step 5: Wait for Approval
Processing takes 3–10 business days if your documents are complete.
Step 6: Start Investing
Once the account is opened, wire in your funds and begin buying securities legally.
About ANT Lawyers, a Law Firm in Vietnam
We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers has lawyers in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi, and Danang, and will help customers in doing business in Vietnam.
Source: https://antlawyers.vn/fii/open-an-indirect-investment-account-in-vietnam.html
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