Procedures for establishing representative offices of foreign educational institutions in Vietnam

1

Competent State Agencies receiving and processing applications

The Ministry of Education and Training (“MOET”) and the Department of Education and Training (“DOET”) where representative offices of foreign education organizations or institutions (“representative office”) are located.

2

How to submit application documents

Foreign educational organizations and institutions applying for approval to establish representative offices in Vietnam shall submit application documents to the Ministry of Education and Training in one of the following ways:

• In person; or
• By mail.

After the approval of the establishment, the foreign educational organization or institution shall complete the operation registration with the DOET in the area where the representative office is located in one of the following ways:

• In person; or
• By mail.

3

The composition of application documents[1]

1. Application for approval to establish representative offices in Vietnam 

Submit 01 set of application documents including:

a. An application form for approval to establish a representative office according to Form No. 18 in the Appendix enclosed with Decree 86/2018/ND-CP;

b. Documents proving the legal status of foreign educational organizations or institutions;

c. A certified true copy or a copy enclosed with an original of the operating charter of the foreign educational organization or institution;

d. A quality assessment certificate of the foreign educational organization or institution, or a written quality assurance certificate from a competent authority;

e. A summary report on the establishment and development of the foreign educational organization or institution;

f. A draft regulation on the organization and operation of representative offices in Vietnam;

g. A written introduction of the chief representative office in Vietnam and his/ her personal curriculum vitae.

2. Representative offices operation registration[2]

Submit 01 set of application documents including:

a. An application form for operation registration of a representative office according to Form No. 20 in the Appendix enclosed with Decree 86/2018/ND-CP;

b. A decision on the appointment of the chief representative office and his/ her personal resume;

c. The personnel of the representative office and their personal resumes;

d. The specific location of the representative office and relevant legal documents.

Note 1:

The names of representative offices in Vietnam shall be put in the following order: “Văn phòng đại diện” (Representative office of), “Tên của tổ chức, cơ sở giáo dục nước ngoài” (Proper name of the foreign educational institution) and “tại Việt Nam” (in Vietnam).

Note 2:

The written certificates issued by a foreign competent authority shall be consularly legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam or at the diplomatic mission, consular office or a Vietnamese agency authorized to perform consular work abroad, unless the international treaties to which Vietnam is a party provide otherwise.

4

Fees

Free of charge

5

Result[3]

A decision on approval of the establishment of representative offices in Vietnam and an operation registration certificates of representative offices.

Conditions for implementation[4]

Foreign educational organizations and institutions must:

1. Have a legal status.

2. Have been operating in their home country for at least 05 years; and have been accredited or recognized for their education quality by a competent State authority.

3. Have clear charters, principles and targets.

4. Have a regulation on the organization and operation of the representative office to be established in Vietnam that complies with the laws of Vietnam.

5. Have a location for the representative office and be able to ensure security, labor safety and hygiene as required by laws.

Operation content, operational duration[5]

Operations contents

1. Perform the function of liaision and promotion of cooperation between educational organizations and institutions represented by representative offices and Vietnamese educational institutions by promoting the development of cooperation programs and projects;

2. Organize exchange activities, consultation, information exchange, seminars and exhibitions in the field of education aiming to introduce foreign educational organizations and institutions represented by representative offices;

3. Expedite and supervise the process of implementation of educational cooperation agreements signed with Vietnamese educational institutions.

Note no. 3:

Representative offices in Vietnam are not allowed to carry out educational activities that directly generate profit in Vietnam and are not allowed to establish branches under it.

Operational duration

• Not more than 05 years from the date of approval of the establishment license;
• May be extended, but extension may not exceed 05 years.

Reporting obligations[6]

• Deadline: before November 30 of each year.
• Contents of implementation: detailed written reports to the DOET where the representative office is located and the MOET on the operation of the representative office, and is responsible for providing information, documents and related issues at the request of the competent State authorities.
• Forms of submitting: Online and in writing.