As Vietnam continues to refine its regulatory framework, many investors are rethinking how to approach company registration in 2026.

A common question is whether the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) is still required before obtaining an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC), or if the process can be simplified.

While the idea of skipping steps may seem appealing, the actual process is more structured than it appears.

What Is an IRC in Vietnam?

The Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) is a key document for foreign investors entering Vietnam. It represents official approval for an investment project.

In simple terms, the IRC defines:

1. The investor’s details
2. The business scope
3. The investment capital
4. The project timeline

Without an IRC, foreign-invested companies generally cannot proceed to company incorporation.

What Has Changed in 2026?

The 2026 regulatory environment does not eliminate the need for an IRC, but it does place greater emphasis on clarity at the early stage.

Key developments include:

1. More detailed review of investment structures
2. Stronger alignment between investment scope and business activities
3. Reduced flexibility in bypassing standard procedures

This means that while the process remains familiar, expectations are higher.

Is IRC Still Required Before ERC?

For foreign investors, the short answer is: in most cases, yes.

Authorities typically expect:

1. Investment approval (IRC) to be secured first
2. Clear documentation of the project before company registration

For local companies, the situation is different:

1. No IRC is required
2. The process starts directly with the ERC

This distinction remains one of the most important factors in determining the correct registration approach.

Can You Delay or Skip the IRC?

Some businesses consider delaying the IRC to move faster. In practice, this often creates more complications than advantages.

Possible outcomes include:

1. Incomplete applications during ERC submission
2. Requests for additional clarification from authorities
3. Delays due to misalignment between documents

While it may seem like a shortcut, skipping the IRC step is rarely effective for foreign-invested companies.

A More Efficient Approach in Practice

Rather than focusing on whether steps can be skipped, a more effective approach is to ensure everything is aligned from the beginning.

For most foreign investors, this includes:

1. Defining the investment structure clearly
2. Preparing IRC documentation early
3. Ensuring consistency across all application materials

This approach may appear more structured, but it often leads to fewer revisions and a smoother process overall.

For many businesses, efficiency comes not from reducing steps, but from reducing uncertainty.

Conclusion

In the 2026 regulatory landscape, the IRC remains a key requirement for foreign investors in Vietnam.

Although the process may seem flexible at first glance, the actual approval path is still structured. Attempting to delay or bypass the IRC step can lead to unnecessary complications.

In many cases, a well-prepared foundation at the beginning makes a clear difference in how efficiently the registration process moves forward.