In Vietnam, the licensing requirements for business brokers and M&A advisors are governed by the State Securities Commission (SSC) + Ministry of Construction (MoC) + Department of Planning and Investment (DPI). This 2026 guide covers the exact licensing pathway, fees, foreign broker restrictions, and M&A advisor requirements — verified against current regulations.
Last verified: 2026 | Sources: State Securities Commission (SSC) + Ministry of Construction (MoC) + Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) (ssc.gov.vn / moc.gov.vn)
| Key Factor | Vietnam | Asia Benchmark (Singapore) |
| License required for SME sales | Real Estate Brokerage Certificate (for property-linked sales) + Business Registration Certificate | None (pure asset sales) |
| M&A advisory license | State Securities Commission (SSC) | MAS Capital Markets Services License |
| Application fee (approx.) | VND 1,000,000–5,000,000 (~$40–$200 USD) for business registration | SGD 1,000–5,000 |
| Continuing education | 16 hrs (real estate brokers, per Law on Real Estate Business 2023) hrs / 2 years | 5 hrs CPD / year |
| Foreign broker restriction | Foreign Investment restrictions apply — DPI approval required for foreign broker entities | No restrictions — 100% foreign ownership permitted |
| Primary language | Vietnamese (official); English used in FDI M&A transactions | English |
M&A in Vietnam involving equity stakes requires compliance with the Law on Investment (2020) and Law on Enterprises (2020). Foreign investors acquiring 51%+ of Vietnamese companies require government approval via DICA/DPI. For securities-related M&A (listed companies): SSC license mandatory. The Securities Law (2019) tightened regulations on M&A advisory significantly. Foreign law firms and advisory firms operate through representative offices or joint ventures.
Vietnam's fastest-growing M&A sectors: manufacturing (electronics, textiles), F&B, retail, healthcare, and fintech. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the primary deal markets. Vietnam FDI M&A hit record levels in 2024–2025.
Key insight for Vietnam brokers: Vietnam's 2023 update to the Law on Real Estate Business requires all real estate-linked business sales to be handled by licensed brokers — a significant change that has formalized the previously informal business brokerage market.
Business Registration Certificate via DPI; Real Estate Brokerage Certificate for property-linked transactions; SSC license for securities M&A. Requirements differ significantly depending on whether the transaction involves real property, equity/securities, or pure business asset transfer.
Foreign Investment restrictions apply — DPI approval required for foreign broker entities. International advisors should engage local legal counsel to structure their operations compliantly before commencing brokerage activities in Vietnam.
Business brokers in Vietnam typically handle SME transactions (under $5M USD) involving pure asset transfers. M&A advisors handle larger or more complex transactions involving equity, securities, or listed entities — and require licensing from State Securities Commission (SSC). The fee structures, deal complexity, and regulatory requirements differ substantially between the two roles.
The CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) from IBBA, the M&AMI from IBBA, and the CMAP from AM&AA are internationally recognized credentials accepted by clients across Vietnam's M&A market. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and ACCA are highly regarded for financial modeling and due diligence components of M&A advisory.
More complex than Thailand for foreign brokers; stricter foreign ownership rules than Malaysia or Singapore.
Breaking into Vietnam's business brokerage market requires the right training, the right certifications, and a clear understanding of local regulatory requirements. Explore our business broker training pathway → built for professionals entering Asian markets in 2026.