Overview
General introduction
Notice
Benefits of service
Scope of services
FAQ
Contact

General introduction

1/ Concept

The enterprise name is the unique name of a business entity, recorded on the Enterprise Registration Certificate. The enterprise name is used to distinguish this business from other enterprises in the market.

2/ Regulations on enterprise naming

  • Structure of enterprise name:

The enterprise name includes: the Vietnamese name, the foreign language name, and the abbreviation.

According to Article 37 of the 2020 Enterprise Law, the enterprise name in Vietnamese must consist of two parts:

– Type of enterprise:

For Joint Stock Company: Công ty Cổ phần or Công ty CP

For Limited Liability Company: Công ty trách nhiệm hữu hạn or Công ty TNHH

For Partnership Company: Công ty Hợp danh or Công ty HD  

For Private Enterprise: Doanh nghiệp tư nhân or Doanh nghiệp TN

Distinctive name: this part distinguishes one enterprise from another (e.g., Vạn Phúc Lộc, Thương Mại Dịch vụ ABC, etc.). The distinctive name can be written using letters in the Vietnamese alphabet, letters F, J, Z, W, numbers, and symbols.

  • Valid example: Công ty TNHH ABC
  • Invalid example: only “Công ty ABC” (missing the enterprise type)
dịch vụ gia hạn thời gian thuê xưởng
Dịch vụ điều chỉnh giấy chứng nhận đầu tư
  • Notes on naming an enterprise:

An enterprise must not use a name that is identical or confusingly similar to a name already registered nationwide, except for enterprises that have been dissolved or have a valid court decision declaring bankruptcy.

Enterprises can check for duplicate names on the National Business Registration Portal (dangkyquamang.dkkd.gov.vn). To save time and ensure accuracy, enterprises can follow these steps:

Step 1: Access https://dangkyquamang.dkkd.gov.vn/ and log in using a VNEID account.

Step 2: Select Enterprise Registration

Step 3: Choose Submit dossier using business registration account, then click Next.

Step 4: Select Establish a new enterprise/affiliate unit, then click Next.

Step 5: Choose the type of enterprise to be established, e.g., One-member Limited Liability Company. Then click Next.

Step 6: Click Start

Step 7: Select Enterprise/affiliate unit name, enter the proposed enterprise name, e.g., Công ty TNHH Thương mại Dịch vụ ABC, then click Check duplicate name.

Step 8: If the enterprise name duplicates an already registered name, the system will display “There is an enterprise (affiliate unit) with the same or similar name.”

Otherwise, if the enterprise name is not duplicated, the system will display “No enterprise (affiliate unit) has the same or similar name.”

Notes on changing the enterprise name

pelling error

This portal does not check for spelling errors, capitalization, spaces, or special characters, etc., so careful verification is required before choosing a name.

Elements that cause confusion with an existing registered enterprise name

The Business Registration Office in some provinces may additionally review potential confusion with already registered enterprise names. Specifically, confusing elements are defined in clause 2, Article 41 of the 2020 Enterprise Law. For example, “Công ty TNHH Thương mại Dịch vụ Gia Trí” could be considered confusingly similar to “Công ty Cổ phần Thương mại ABC,” “Công ty TNHH Thương mại ABC,” or “Công ty TNHH Dịch vụ ABC,” etc. However, since many enterprises have similar names in the market, most Business Registration Offices rely primarily on checking for duplicate names via the National Business Registration Portal.

The Latin alphabet

Both Vietnamese and foreign enterprise names must use the Latin alphabet.  

Prohibited names

Names of state agencies, armed forces units, political organizations, political-social organizations, professional-political-social organizations, social organizations, or professional-social organizations may not be used as part or all of the enterprise’s unique name, e.g., “Ministry of Finance,” “Police,” “National Assembly,” “People’s Committee,” “Party,” etc., unless approval is obtained from the relevant authority or organization.

Prohibited words and symbols

Words or symbols that violate historical, cultural, ethical traditions, or national customs must not be used.

The foreign-language enterprise name

The foreign-language enterprise name is the translation of the Vietnamese name into a Latin-based foreign language, typically English. When translating into a foreign language, the unique part of the enterprise name may be kept unchanged or translated according to its corresponding meaning.

Example: “Công ty TNHH Thương mại ABC” would be translated into English as “ABC Trading Company Limited.”

The enterprise’s abbreviated name

The enterprise’s abbreviated name is derived from either its Vietnamese or foreign-language name.

Cases in which an enterprise is not required to change its name

Enterprises operating under an Investment License or Investment Certificate (also serving as the Enterprise Registration Certificate) issued before 1 July 2015 may continue using their registered enterprise name and are not required to change it in case of duplication or confusing similarity with names in the National Enterprise Registration Database.

Benefits of using VPL’s services

Ensuring no duplication

VPL provides advice on naming rules under the 2020 Law on Enterprises, and assists in checking the proposed enterprise name on the National Business Registration Portal to ensure no duplication, thereby increasing the likelihood of approval by the Business Registration Office.

Saving time and effort

VPL prepares the entire application dossier, submits it, and works directly with the Business Registration Office. The enterprise will not have to spend time learning about the procedures or correcting errors due to lack of experience.

Information synchronization

Provide comprehensive advice on procedures for updating related legal documents such as the Investment Registration Certificate, the Certificate of Land Use Rights, and updating information with banks, social insurance authorities, etc. This ensures the enterprise’s operations are not disrupted and avoids the risk of penalties due to procedural omissions.

Support in handling related changes

When changing its name, an enterprise must change its seal, revise invoices, update digital signatures, etc. VPL assists with the related procedures to ensure that the seal, invoices, and digital signatures are consistent with the enterprise’s new name. In addition, VPL provides guidance on notification procedures with banks and social insurance authorities.

Absolute confidentiality

VPL is committed to not disclosing, selling, or sharing any client information with third parties, and maintains transparent, clear confidentiality clauses with clients to ensure that all client information is kept strictly confidential.

Scope of services provided by VPL

Search, advise, and assist in selecting an enterprise name to maximize the likelihood of approval by the Business Registration Office.

Prepare the application dossier for changing the enterprise name.

Represent the client in submitting the application and receiving the result at the Business Registration Office.

Engrave the enterprise seal with the new name; provide guidance and assistance in updating the name on legal documents, digital signatures, and bank records; support updating information with the tax authority, social insurance agency, and other related legal documents such as the Investment Registration Certificate, the Certificate of Land Use Rights, sub-licenses, etc. (upon the client’s request).

Frequently asked questions

The composition of the application is specified in Article 41 of Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP, and includes:

  • An application form for registration of changes to business registration details, using Form No. 12 in Appendix I issued together with Circular No. 68/2025/TT-BTC.
  • A copy or original of the resolution or decision of the company owner for a single-member limited liability company; of the Members’ Council for a multi-member limited liability company or partnership; or of the General Meeting of Shareholders for a joint stock company regarding the change of the enterprise name.
  • In case the legal representative authorizes another person to carry out the procedure for amending the Enterprise Registration Certificate, a Power of Attorney must be attached.

An enterprise is liable if its name causes confusion with that of another registered enterprise. If the name of an enterprise causes confusion or infringes upon the intellectual property rights of another enterprise, the infringing enterprise must register a change of name and may be subject to administrative penalties and compensation for damages.

It is not mandatory. However, aligning the enterprise’s name with its trademark helps enhance brand recognition, avoid confusion, ensure consistency and professionalism for your brand, and support effective communication.

The current law does not limit the number of times an enterprise can change its name. However, the enterprise must ensure that each change complies with the proper legal procedures and that all records and documents are updated consistently.

It is not mandatory, as the enterprise’s updated information will be published on the National Business Registration Portal. However, the enterprise may issue a written notice or post an announcement on its website regarding the name change so that partners and customers can update their records accordingly.

Yes, because the enterprise name is one of the details shown on the digital signature. Therefore, the enterprise needs to update the digital signature to ensure it is consistent with its latest information.

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