Opening an office in Da Nang as a foreign company involves two tracks that run in parallel: choosing the right legal structure and securing a suitable office. The two are linked, because licensing authorities usually need to see your address before they issue your licence. This step-by-step guide shows how the pieces fit together.
The practical part usually starts with a shortlist. You can review current options for an office for rent in Da Nang while you decide on your structure with a licensing advisor.
Opening an office in Da Nang: the steps at a glance
| Step | What happens | Who helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose the legal structure | Representative office or foreign-invested company | Lawyer or licensing advisor |
| 2. Define your space needs | Team size, budget, area, image | Your team, office advisor |
| 3. Shortlist and view offices | Compare buildings and total cost | Office advisor |
| 4. Sign a lease or reservation | Secure the address for licensing | Landlord, lawyer |
| 5. Apply for licences | Submit documents including the lease | Licensing advisor |
| 6. Fit out and move in | Design, building approval, set-up | Fit-out contractor |
Step 1: Choose the legal structure
Foreign businesses commonly choose between two structures:
- Representative office: for market research, liaison and promotion on behalf of the parent company. It cannot earn revenue in Vietnam.
- Foreign-invested company (often a limited liability company): can sign contracts, invoice clients and hire staff. It typically requires an Investment Registration Certificate and an Enterprise Registration Certificate.
The right choice depends on your sector, your plans for revenue in Vietnam and your investment size. Get professional advice here; it shapes everything else.
Step 2: Define what your office must do
Write down your team size today and in 12–18 months, your budget, whether clients will visit, and which area suits your staff. Central business areas around former Hai Chau district suit client-facing teams, while areas further out can offer more space for the budget.
Step 3: Shortlist offices that can be used for registration
Not every space can be used as a company address. Before you fall in love with a unit, confirm that:
- the property is a commercial office, not an apartment in a residential building;
- the landlord can provide the ownership or leasing documents the authorities ask for;
- the landlord can issue VAT invoices.
Large Grade A buildings, such as TTC Plaza Tower B, are used to these requests, but it is worth confirming with any landlord.
Step 4: Secure the address
Licensing applications usually need a signed lease, or in some cases a reservation agreement or memorandum of understanding with the landlord. Ask whether the landlord will sign a conditional agreement that becomes a full lease once your licence is issued. Our office lease in Vietnam checklist covers the clauses to review.
Step 5: Apply for your licences
Your licensing advisor submits the application with your corporate documents and the lease. Make sure the company name and address on the lease match the application exactly. Since July 2025, Vietnam has used a two-level local government without districts, and Da Nang has been merged with Quang Nam province, so addresses should use the current ward name.
Step 6: Fit out and move in
Most buildings require you to submit your fit-out drawings for approval before work starts. Negotiate a rent-free fit-out period in the lease, and budget for furniture, IT and reinstatement at the end. Our guide to the hidden costs of renting an office lists what to include.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing a long lease before the legal structure is decided.
- Choosing an apartment or a space the landlord cannot document.
- Using an outdated address format in the lease.
- Forgetting fit-out approval time in the opening timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an office before registering a company in Da Nang?
In most cases, yes. Licensing authorities usually ask for a lease agreement or a similar document proving your company has a legal address in Vietnam.
Can I use an apartment as my company address?
Generally no. Apartments in residential buildings cannot be used for business purposes under Vietnamese housing rules, so choose a commercial office or another space that can be legally used as a business address.
What is the difference between a representative office and a company?
A representative office can do market research, liaison and promotion for its parent company, but it cannot earn revenue directly. A foreign-invested company can trade, sign contracts and invoice customers in Vietnam.
How long does it take to open an office in Da Nang?
It depends on the legal structure and the business sector. Finding the office can take a few weeks; licensing then follows its own timeline. Ask a licensing advisor for an estimate for your case.
Has the address format in Da Nang changed?
Yes. Since July 2025, Vietnam uses a two-level local government without districts, and Da Nang was merged with Quang Nam province. Make sure the address in your lease uses the current ward name.
Conclusion
Opening an office in Da Nang is smoother when the legal structure and the office search move together. Decide your structure with an advisor, shortlist offices that can be used for registration, and secure the address before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice; rules change, so confirm the current requirements with a licensed professional.
About Top Office
If you are entering Da Nang, we can shortlist offices that are ready for company registration.
Top Office is an office leasing advisor in Da Nang with a database of 50+ office buildings, from Grade A riverside towers to compact spaces for small teams.
- Free consulting for tenants: we shortlist offices that match your team size and budget.
- Transparent quotes: we help you negotiate rent and lease terms.
- Remote viewings: photos and videos before you arrive, site visits when you are here.
- Fit-out support: planning, interior design and building permits.
📱 Looking for an office in Da Nang? Message us on WhatsApp or call +84 706 779 777.
