Food Factory Leasing & Investment Registration Process in Vietnam

Vietnam’s food processing industry is expanding rapidly thanks to domestic demand and export growth.
To operate legally, investors must understand the full process of leasing a factory and registering a food production investment, from document preparation to obtaining safety certifications.

1. Step 1 – Prepare Investment Documents

Before renting a factory, businesses must prepare a complete set of legal documents, including:

• Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC): defines business type and ownership.

• Investment Registration Certificate (IRC): required for foreign-invested enterprises (FDI).

• Environmental assessment documents:

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report or

  • Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) for smaller projects.

Tip: Complete and valid documents are mandatory for industrial parks (IPs) to approve factory leasing and production licensing.

2. Step 2 – Survey & Select the Right Industrial Park and Factory

Businesses should conduct on-site surveys to choose the most suitable location:

• Identify the right industrial park: prioritize IPs with “food processing” listed in their master plan.

• Determine required capacity and area: typically 1,000–5,000 m² depending on production scale.

• Assess technical infrastructure: stable water and power supply, wastewater treatment, and fire protection systems.

• Compare rental costs and services:

  • Average rent: 3–5 USD/m²/month (in HCMC, Long An, Binh Duong).

  • Check management services and legal support from the park developer.

Suggestion: IPs such as Tan Phu Trung, Le Minh Xuan 3, Long Hau, and Phu An Thanh are highly recommended for food manufacturers due to their food-grade infrastructure.

3. Step 3 – Sign the Lease Agreement

After selecting the factory, the next step is to sign the lease contract, including:

• Handover terms: factory condition, utilities, and fire safety systems.

• Deposit and lease term: typically a 3–6-month deposit and 3–10-year lease term.

• Maintenance and repair responsibilities: clearly define duties between lessee and lessor.

• Legal clauses: termination, liabilities, and compensation terms.

For FDI investors, request a bilingual lease contract (Vietnamese – English) to avoid legal disputes.

4. Step 4 – Register for Food Production

Once the factory is handed over, the investor must complete production registration procedures, including:

• Apply for Food Safety Certificate (ATTP) from the Department of Health or IP Management Board.

• Register the food production business code under the national business registration system.

• Register Fire Prevention and Fighting (FPP) with the local authorities.

Processing time: typically 20–30 working days, depending on the factory type.

5. Special Notes

• FDI companies must translate all investment documents and contracts into English for submission.

• Environmental and food safety documents should be prepared with professional consultancy.

• Verify factory legality (land title, leasing rights, permitted industry) before signing.

6. Conclusion

Understanding the food factory leasing and investment registration process helps businesses save time, reduce legal risks, and accelerate project deployment.
Leasing a ready-built food-grade factory in Ho Chi Minh City or nearby provinces is the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective option for food manufacturers expanding in Vietnam.