Apply for a food service business license quickly and effectively

Article overview

Food service business in Vietnam, businesses and individual business households need to comply with food safety regulations and ensure they have all necessary licenses. Correct implementation of these procedures not only helps ensure food quality and safety but also contributes to improving business reputation. Please follow Long Phan’s following article to learn details about the conditions, procedures and types of licenses needed when doing food service business in Vietnam.

What you need to know about the process of applying for a food service business license
What you need to know about the process of applying for a food service business license

Conditions for applying for a food service business license

Based on Articles 34 and 28 of the Law on Food Safety 2010, individuals and organizations providing food service businesses must meet the following conditions:

  • Have registered a food business in the Business Registration Certificate.
  • Arrange the kitchen appropriately to avoid cross-contamination between unprocessed foods and processed foods.
  • Ensure clean water sources meet technical standards for food processing and trading.
  • Provide tools for collecting and storing garbage and waste to ensure hygiene and avoid pollution.
  • Sewers in the shop and kitchen areas must always be clear to avoid stagnation.
  • The restaurant must have a cool, well-lit space, maintain cleanliness, and take measures to prevent insects and harmful animals.
  • Equipped with food preservation equipment, toilets and hand washing areas, ensuring hygiene and clean daily waste and garbage collection.
  • The head of a unit with a collective kitchen is responsible for ensuring food safety for the entire operation of the unit.
Requirements must be met to receive a food service business license
Requirements must be met to receive a food service business license

Procedures for applying for a food service business license

Step 1: Register for a business license for the restaurant

Business establishments need to determine the appropriate form of business registration. Specifically, there are the following business forms:

  • Individual business household: Suitable for small restaurants or startups who want to do business on a small scale. This form is simpler in procedures and management, but is limited in scale.
  • Enterprise(limited company or joint stock company): Suitable for long-term and large-scale business plans. This form creates favorable conditions for capital mobilization, while also making it easier to establish and manage international and domestic business cooperation relationships.

Step 2: Apply for a Certificate of establishment meeting food safety and hygiene conditions

Pursuant to Article 36 of the Law on Food Safety 2010 and Clause 2, Article 6 of Decree 67/2016/ND-CP (amended by Decree 155/2018/ND-CP) stipulates that business establishments need to prepare application documents. Issuing a Certificate of establishments meeting food safety and hygiene conditions including:

  • Application for issuance of Certificate of establishment meeting food safety conditions according to form Model number 01 Appendix I attached to Decree 155/2018/ND-CP.
  • Copy of Business Registration Certificate.
  • Explanation of facilities, equipment, and tools to ensure food hygiene and safety.
  • Certificate of good health from the owner of the facility and the person directly producing and trading food from a district-level medical facility or higher.
  • Certificate of completion of training on food safety and hygiene for facility owners and people directly producing and trading food according to regulations of the Ministry of Industry Management.

After preparing all documents, business establishments need to submit them to the Food Safety and Hygiene Department – Department of Health. This agency will physically inspect the facility to ensure food safety standards and issue a certificate if eligible.

Types of licenses needed when running a food service business

When running a food service business, businesses need to comply with legal regulations on food safety and have full licenses to operate legally. Below are the main licenses required:

  • Business Registration Certificate (Business License): This is a basic license to recognize legal business activities, which needs to be registered at the Department of Planning and Investment or district business registration agency.
  • Certificate of establishment qualified for food safety: This license is required to ensure food hygiene and safety standards, issued by the Department of Food Safety or local health authorities.
  • Certificate of eligibility for fire protection: Due to safety requirements, businesses need a fire protection system inspection certificate from the police agency.
  • Alcohol retail license (if selling alcohol): An alcohol retail license is required as prescribed in Decree 105/2017/ND-CP.
  • Environmental registration (if necessary): Depending on the size, the facility may need a license related to environmental protection, such as an environmental protection plan or commitment according to the Law on Environmental Protection 2020.

Consulting services for granting food service business licenses

At Long Phan, we provide consulting services and professional business license application support for food service establishments, including:

  • Consulting on procedures and conditions for applying for a Business Registration Certificate.
  • Advise on conditions to be met for each type of license in accordance with the business model.
  • Provide guidance and support in preparing necessary documents to ensure complete and valid records.
  • Representing customers to submit documents and work with competent authorities.
  • Support customers in handling incorrect or incomplete documents.
  • Advise on resolution methods when disputes arise.
Consulting and support for applying for an effective food service business license
Consulting and support for applying for an effective food service business license

With many years of experience in the field of consulting and procedural support for food service businesses, Long Phan is proud to be a reliable partner of many businesses and individual business households. Long Phan’s team of experts is always ready to advise and support customers every step of the way in completing the documents and meeting requirements. Please contact us immediately via the hotline 0906735386 for detailed advice and support.