How to properly name a business in Vietnam is one of the concerns that many people pay attention to in the process of registering a company. Because the company name is not arbitrary, but needs to comply with some laws and regulations in Vietnam.

1. The Enterprise Name Must be Named in Vietnamese
   
   According to Article 37 of the Enterprise Law 2020, the Vietnamese name of an enterprise consists of the following two elements: enterprise type + proper name.
   
   The enterprise type shall be:
   - "Công ty trách nhiệm hữu hạn" or "Công ty TNHH" for limited liability companies;
   - "Công ty hợp danh" or "Công ty HD" for private partnerships;
   - "Công ty cổ phần" or "Công ty CP" for joint-stock companies;
   - "Doanh nghiệp tư nhân" or "Doanh nghiệp TN" or "DNTN" for private enterprises.
   Example: Công ty TNHH Nước giải khát Coca-Cola Việt Nam
   Or: Công ty trách nhiệm hữu hạn Nước giải khát Coca-Cola Việt Nam
   
   Proper names are made up of letters of the Vietnamese alphabet; F, J, Z, W letters; numbers and symbols. "&", ".", "+", "-", "" are allowed.
   For example: Công ty TNHH Thời trang T&T
   
   The enterprise name must be written in Vietnamese, and the foreign language name is also translated from the Vietnamese name into one of the Latin-based languages.
   For example: Gossen Salvador Company Limited
   Vietnamese name: Công ty TNHH Gôxen Xanvađo
   
   
2. Foreign Language Names and Abbreviations
   
   Foreign language names are foreign language names in the Latin family, translated from Vietnamese names.
   For example: Công ty TNHH Aeon Việt Nam
   English name: Aeon Vietnam Company Limited
   When translating into a foreign language, businesses can reserve their own name or translate accordingly.
   For example: Công ty TNHH Rồng Việt
   English name: “Viet Dragon Company Limited” or “Rong Viet Company Limited”
   
   The abbreviated name of an enterprise may be abbreviation of its Vietnamese name or foreign language name.
   For example: "Hung Vuong JSC" abbreviates the English name of "Hung Vuong Joint Stock Company", and the Vietnamese name is "Công ty cổ phần Hùng Vương”.
   
   
3. Prohibitions in Naming
   
   Translated into foreign language names, "Vietnam" is generally placed in the middle, not last.
   Proper name cannot be in other languages. Example: Công ty CP 宝成 (error)
   
   - Do not duplicate or confuse the names of registered enterprises in Vietnam (unless the business has been dissolved or bankrupt)
   - It is not possible to use the names of state organs, people's armed forces, political organizations, socio-political organizations, etc
   For example: Công ty Cổ phần Hội Liên Hiệp Phụ Nữ (error)
   The Women's Union is a political and social organization in the political system that represents the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese women.
   
   - Do not use words or symbols that violate historical traditions, culture, morals and customs
   Example: Công ty TNHH Phan Bội Châu (error)
   Phan Boi Chau is the name of a famous Vietnamese person. The use of celebrity names is against the historical traditions of the Vietnamese nation.
   
   -Without the consent of shareholders, protected organization or individual trademarks or geographical indications may not be used as business names.
   For example: Công ty CP Nước mắm Phú Quốc (error)
   Phu Quoc fish sauce is a protected geographical indication and cannot be used.
   
   - Names that cannot cause confusion, the Vietnamese name of the registered business needs to be the same as the name of the previously registered business
   Example: Công ty TNHH Nước Giải Khát Côca Côla Việt Nam (Error)
   Although it has a tone, it reads the same as "Công ty TNHH Coca Cola Việt Nam".
   
   - The abbreviation of the business name is the same as the previous one
   For example: Công ty Cổ Phần Sunlight Electronics Việt Nam, abbreviated: SEV (Error)
   "SEV" is the same as Công ty TNHH Samsung Electronics Việt Nam (SEV).
   
   - The foreign language name required to be registered is the same
   For example: "Công ty TNHH Sông Hồng" and "Công ty TNHH Hồng Hà" (error)
   The names of both companies translate as "Red River Limited Company".
   
   - The name of the company applying for registration is only 1 number or letter or matches the registered name.
   For example: "Công ty TNHH Cửu Long" and "Công ty TNHH Cửu Long 1" (error) 、
   For example: "Công ty TNHH Sơn Hà Thứ nhất" and "Công ty TNHH Sơn Hà Thứ hai" (error)
   For example: "Công ty Hợp danh Alpha" và "Công ty Hợp danh Alpha +" (Error)
   
   
4. How to Query Company Name to Avoid Duplication
   
   Step 1: Go to the "National Enterprise Registration System" home page: http://dangkydoanhnghiep.gov.vn
   Step 2: Select "Public Services" -> "Online Business Registration"
   Step 3: Register an account through the website: http://dangkyquamang.dkkd.gov.vn/online/Default.aspx
   Step 4: After successfully activating the account, start logging in to the system, select "Enterprise Registration"->"Submit Business Registration Materials"->Next"
   Step 5: Select "New Registered Enterprise/Direct Unit" -> "Next"
   Step 6: Select "Proposed Business Type" (Private Limited Liability Company, Joint Stock Company, Private Enterprise, etc.) -> "Next"
   Step 7: Select the materials to be submitted through the website (Business Registration Application Form; Articles of Association; List of members; Copy of personal ID; Delegate to register the company power of attorney)->"Next"
   Step 8: Select "Business Name" and enter the name you intend to apply for registration.
   Step 9: It is also necessary to check the foreign language name and abbreviated name that you intend to apply for registration.
   

KAIZEN Group is equipped with experienced and highly qualified professional consultants and is therefore well positioned to provide professional advices and services in respect of the formation and registration of company, application for various business licences and permits, company compliance, tax planning, audit and accounting in China. Please call and talk to our professional consultants for details.

See also:
Vietnam WFOE Registration Procedures and Fees