[Q&A #2] I Want to Conduct a Credit/Background Check on a Vietnamese Company — How Should I Go About It?

There is often a need to run a background or credit check on a Vietnamese company — for example, before entering into a transaction with a Vietnamese business partner, or when assessing the likelihood of recovering a debt. Engaging a commercial credit-reporting agency involves a cost, so the following methods can also be used to gather information:

1. Search the national business information portal: confirms capital contributors, the legal representative, the registered charter capital, the registered address, and similar details (dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn).
2. Search the taxpayer information portal: confirms whether the company is actually operating at its registered address and whether it has any record of tax violations (tracuunnt.gdt.gov.vn).
3. Search social media: worker groups and similar sources can provide an employee's-eye view of the company.
4. General internet searches: check the company's track record, litigation or disputes, and any public criticism.
5. Direct inquiries to the relevant authorities (the tax department, the stock exchange, etc.).
6. Checks of bank and notary-office databases, as well as secured-transaction registration sites: confirms financing-related issues such as outstanding loans and collateral/security registrations.