Setting Up an Office in Ho Chi Minh City: A Practical Guide for Foreign Companies

Setting up an office in Ho Chi Minh City is an exciting step, but it can quickly become complex for foreign companies. From choosing the right location to navigating local regulations and office operations, every decision affects your cost, speed and long‑term stability.This article shares a practical framework Elite Centrum Consulting uses to help international clients establish a professional, well‑run office in Ho Chi Minh City.

Elite Centrum Consulting helps offer various office solutions to foreign businesses in Vietnam

1. Clarify your goals before you sign a lease

Before looking at office space, be clear on what this office must achieve in the next 12–36 months.

Ask yourself:

• How many people will work here in Year 1 and Year 3?

• Will this be a client‑facing office, a back office, or a hybrid?

• How important are proximity to partners, customers, or industrial zones?

A clear brief helps you avoid common mistakes such as over‑renting space, choosing the wrong building type, or locking into a lease that doesn’t match your growth plan.

2. Choose the right location and building type

Ho Chi Minh City has very different micro‑markets (District 1, District 3, Thu Duc/Thu Thiem, etc.), each with its own advantages. Key factors to consider:

• Accessibility for staff and clients

  • Public transport, traffic patterns, and commute time

• Building standards and services

  • Grade (A/B), security, elevators, parking, backup power, cleaning

• Budget and flexibility

  • Rent per sqm, service charges, escalation clauses, options to expand

For many foreign companies, a well‑managed Grade A or B building with flexible layout options offers the best balance of image, safety and cost.

3. Handle legal, compliance and documentation correctly

Office setup is not only about space. It must align with your legal and tax structure in Vietnam. Typical items to manage include:

• Company registration details and permitted business lines

• Lease contract terms that support your licensing and tax reporting

• Building rules related to signage, fit‑out, and sub‑leases

• Local compliance on fire safety, insurance and employee facilities

This is where many foreign investors face delays. Working with experienced local partners helps you avoid contract issues and costly rework.

4. Plan your office layout and daily operations

Once the location is chosen, design an office that supports productivity and a professional image:

• Space planning

  • Workstations, meeting rooms, focus areas, reception, storage

• IT and infrastructure

  • Internet, server or cloud set‑up, access control, printing, cabling

• Facilities and services

  • Cleaning, security, pantry, reception, mail handling

A good layout reflects how your teams actually work and helps your managers run day‑to‑day operations smoothly from day one.

5. Build and manage your local team

An office only works if the right people are running it. For foreign companies, this usually means a mix of local talent and regional leadership. Consider:

• Hiring or relocating a trusted country manager or office manager

• Clear job descriptions for admin, HR, and finance support

• A simple reporting structure back to regional or global HQ

An experienced local office manager often becomes the bridge between your company’s standards and the realities of the Vietnamese market.

6. How Elite Centrum  Consulting supports your office setup in Ho Chi Minh City

Elite Centrum  Consulting works with international clients to manage the full office‑setup cycle in Ho Chi Minh City, including:

• Location and building assessments based on your business goals

• Support with lease review and alignment with your legal structure

• Office space planning and coordination with fit‑out partners

• Designing daily office operations and procedures

• Recruiting and onboarding key administrative and management staff

Our goal is to give you a professional, compliant office that is ready to operate, without burdening your internal teams with local details.

7. Example: Regional company entering Vietnam

A regional services company planned to open a 25–30 person office in Ho Chi Minh City within six months. They were unsure which district to choose and how much space they truly needed.

Elite Centrum  Consulting helped them:

• Define their headcount plan and functional needs

• Shortlist suitable buildings and compare total occupancy costs

• Review lease terms and coordinate with their legal advisors

• Design a practical layout and basic office policies

• Hire a local office manager to run day‑to‑day operations

As a result, they signed a lease in a suitable location, completed setup within their timeline, and started operations with a stable, well‑organized office.

Setting up an office in Ho Chi Minh City does not need to be risky or confusing. With clear goals, the right location, and structured support on legal, space planning and staffing, you can establish a stable base for long‑term growth in Vietnam.

If you are planning to open or expand an office in Ho Chi Minh City, Elite Centrum  Consulting can guide you through each step - from location decisions to daily operations.

Contact us to discuss your project and explore how we can support your entry into the Vietnamese market.

Email: info@elitecentrum.com