IRC Application Procedure in HCMC Industrial Zones (2026）

For domestic and foreign investors looking to implement manufacturing or business projects in industrial zones (IZs) across Ho Chi Minh City, obtaining an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) is the foundational step for the entire project.

Effective March 1, 2026, the new Investment Law No. 143/2025/QH15 officially comes into force. Therefore, investors planning projects in HCMC industrial zones must adhere to the updated legal framework rather than relying solely on the provisions of the Investment Law 2020.

Is an "Investment License" the same as an Investment Registration Certificate? In practice, investors often refer to an IRC as an "investment license." However, the precise legal terminology is Investment Registration Certificate (IRC).

An IRC officially records project information, including:

• Project name.

• Investor details.

• Project location.

• Project objectives and scale.

• Investment capital.

• Project duration.

• Implementation schedule.

• Other statutory details.

Not all projects require an IRC. Whether an IRC is mandatory depends on the investor type, project nature, and specific conditions outlined in the Investment Law.

Where to Submit Application Files for Projects in HCMC Industrial Zones? For projects under the jurisdiction of the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA), investors must verify HEPZA's authority before filing.

Under HCMC industrial zone management regulations, HEPZA is authorized to receive, issue, amend, and revoke Investment Registration Certificates for investment projects in export processing zones and industrial parks within its designated mandate.

This centralized mechanism allows investors to complete procedures directly through the industrial zone authority rather than coordinating separately across multiple agencies.

(Note: The HCMC High-Tech Park operates under a separate management board).