These information pages can help you get started in learning about some of the laws and registration requirements that may apply to your trips or experiences on Airbnb. These pages include summaries of some of the rules that may apply to different sorts of activities, and contain links to government resources that you may find helpful.
Please understand that these information pages are not comprehensive, and are not legal advice. If you are unsure about how local laws or this information may apply to you or your experience, we encourage you to check with your city or an attorney.
Please note that we don’t update this information in real time, so you should confirm that the law has not changed recently.*
You are engaged in business if your activity involves providing goods or services to earn profit.
Vietnamese citizen host
If you are the sole owner of the business and are a Vietnamese citizen, three main structures which are commonly used are (a) sole proprietorship, (b) household business, and (c) limited liability company.
A sole proprietorship is an enterprise owned by an individual (i.e. you, as the host). A sole proprietor has unlimited liability in relation to the business’ operations.
A household business is an establishment with one business location (i.e. “the household”) and has less than 10 employees. As a household business, you (as the host) will be responsible for and have unlimited liability in relation to the business’ operations. Please note that a household business is not a type of “enterprise”, and you may not be able to register a household business to carry out business activities that require an “enterprise”, such as a tourism enterprise.
A single-member limited liability company is an enterprise owned by a host. Under this business structure, the host would be liable for the company’s debts and other liabilities up to the company’s registered charter capital.
Foreigner host
If you are a foreigner, you are not able to establish a household business or a sole proprietorship, and will need to incorporate a company. In addition, as a foreigner host, you will be subject to provisions under the Law of Investment. You should always check with the local licensing authority (see below) for the applicable requirements or seek advice from a legal professional.
Yes, you will need to register your sole proprietorship, household business or limited liability company by submitting an application form for registration with the relevant licensing authorities.
Sole proprietorships and limited liability companies
For registration of sole proprietorships or limited liability companies, you may submit your application either directly in person to the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City (at 32 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) or online through the National Business Registration Portal, available here. Further information on the documents required for registration and applicable fees are available here. Upon approval of your application, you will receive an Enterprise Registration Certificate.
Household business
For registration of business households, you may submit your application either directly in person to the Business Registration Office of your relevant district or through such office’s website (e.g., for District 1, you may submit through the website here). Further information on the documents required for registration and applicable fees are available here. Upon approval of your application, you will receive a Certificate of Household Business Registration from the licensing authorities.
An exception applies where your household business is engaged in providing services that earn low revenue (which will be determined by your province). In this case, your household business will not require registration. However, this exception does not apply if your household business is engaged in conditional business lines. Please check with the Business Registration Office of your relevant district if you are in doubt whether your household business requires registration.