Ho Chi Minh City to issue investment registration certificates within 15 days under special mechanism

Ho Chi Minh City will issue investment registration certificates under a special procedure within 15 working days from the date it receives a complete set of valid documents. The timeline is applied based on Government Decree No. 96/2026/ND-CP dated March 31, 2026, which details and guides the implementation of certain provisions of the Investment Law and takes effect from March 31, 2026.

Legal basis and special processing timeline

The information was shared by Mr. Le Van Thinh, Deputy Head of HEPZA, in the context of Decree 96 taking effect and the city accelerating administrative reform, digital transformation, and efforts to enhance competitiveness to attract investment into Ho Chi Minh City’s industrial parks and industrial zones.

Under the decree, investors must prepare a complete set of documents as specified in Article 47 of Decree 96 and submit one set of documents requesting an investment registration certificate.

Investor dossier requirements

The dossier includes:

• A written proposal for the project, in which the investor commits to meeting conditions related to construction, environmental protection, technology transfer, and fire safety.
• A project proposal that includes an assessment of environmental impact and mitigation measures, serving as a replacement for the previous environmental impact preliminary assessment as prescribed.

After receiving the license, the investor is responsible for implementing the project in accordance with the pledged contents and complying with relevant laws.

Environmental and construction-related steps

Environmental procedures must be carried out in accordance with the procedures under Article 49 of Decree 96. No later than 30 days before construction begins, the investor must notify the local construction order management agency and HEPZA, together with documents as prescribed.

The submission also includes documents for startup under Article 28 of the Investment Law, along with the economic-technical construction report prepared, appraised, and approved by the investor. In addition, an appraisal report from the competent unit is required, focusing on construction safety, environmental protection, fire safety, and compliance with standards and technical regulations.

HEPZA’s role in supervision and problem resolution

On the management side, HEPZA is responsible for inspecting, supervising, and evaluating the project throughout implementation. It must promptly notify investors of issues arising before and during project execution.

HEPZA will handle matters within its authority or propose to the competent authority to resolve obstacles, aiming to ensure project progress and investment efficiency.

Purpose of the special mechanism and implementation approach

According to Mr. Le Van Thinh, the special investment mechanism is intended to shorten processing time and provide maximum facilitation for enterprises to start and put projects into operation.

He noted that the mechanism is not meant to create additional barriers, but instead requires a change in mindset across the process—from investment licensing and construction planning to environmental and labor management.

HEPZA also called for modernization of operating methods, including accelerating the application of information technology and artificial intelligence in inspection and post-inspection supervision to detect issues early and support enterprises in complying with regulations throughout the project lifecycle.

Expected impact on the investment environment

From Decree 96/2026/ND-CP together with administrative reform and digital transformation measures, the stated aim is to create a more open investment environment, improve the quality of public services, attract investors, and boost production and business activities in Ho Chi Minh City.