Choose a customer and a business model
| Model | Main customer | What to test first |
|---|---|---|
| B2B SaaS | Vietnamese companies | Vietnamese-language sales, procurement and local contracts |
| Service for travellers or expats | Foreign residents and visitors | Trust, multi-currency payment and customer support |
| Software outsourcing | Overseas clients | Export contract, payment terms and ownership of code |
| Marketplace | Multiple sellers and buyers | E-commerce, seller onboarding and payment model |
Validate the idea before registering
- Interview at least ten people from the target customer group. Ask about the last time they faced the problem and what they paid to solve it.
- Write one sentence describing the customer, problem and result.
- Test a landing page, prototype or manual service before commissioning a full build.
- Record sign-ups, completed trials, paid pilots and repeat use. Likes and general interest are not proof of demand.
- Stop or change the offer if target customers will not commit time, data or money.
Build an MVP with a measurable goal
Choose the smallest product that lets a customer complete the core task. Set one target for the test, such as ten qualified trials or three paid pilots. Decide in advance what result means continue, revise or stop. Budget for testing, security, hosting and support, not only coding.
When to register the company
A company may be needed to sign local contracts, invoice customers, hire staff or accept investment. The right time depends on the activity and payment flow. Before commercial launch, check the entity route, business lines, tax, data handling, customer contracts and whether a licence is required. See the separate guide to registering an IT company in Vietnam.
Team, intellectual property and data
Put founder roles, equity vesting, decision rights and ownership of code in signed agreements. Use written employment or contractor contracts and confirm work authorization before a foreign employee starts. Map what customer data the product collects, where it is stored, who can access it and how deletion requests are handled. Have a lawyer review personal-data obligations before launch.
Funding and tax incentives
Plan a runway from actual costs: team, cloud services, accounting, legal work, sales and support. Resolution 198/2025/QH15 includes mechanisms for private-sector development, but any tax treatment depends on the qualifying entity, activity and statutory conditions. Do not put an incentive into the business plan until an accountant confirms eligibility in writing.
| Cost area | Stage | Concrete item to estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Idea validation | Before entity setup | Interviews, prototype and landing page |
| Company, address and accounting | Before commercial launch | Actual filing route, registered address and monthly bookkeeping |
| Product and QA | MVP | People, hosting, security and testing |
| Sales and support | First customers | Customer acquisition, localisation and support hours |
| Legal and tax | Ongoing | Data, IP, payments, contracts and staff |
A 90-day launch sequence
| Period | Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-30 | Test demand | Customer interviews, target profile, prototype and sign-ups |
| Days 31-60 | Build and set up | Working MVP, contract plan and decision on company registration |
| Days 61-90 | Sell and measure | First paid users, retention and unit-economics review |
Avoid these launch mistakes
- Do not treat an idea or company registration as proof of demand.
- Do not accept customer money through a flow that may require a payment licence before checking the rules.
- Do not give away code ownership or equity without a signed agreement.
- Do not assume every IT startup receives a tax exemption.
- Do not let a foreign founder begin work before checking their authorization.
Questions and answers
Can I test an IT startup before registering a company?
You can validate demand, but check legal and tax obligations before signing contracts, taking payments or hiring.
Which is better, export SaaS or local B2C?
There is no universal winner. Compare customer access, language, sales cycle, payments and support cost.
Does every IT startup get a tax break?
No. Resolution 198/2025/QH15 is not an automatic exemption for every IT project.
Does a startup visa exist for any IT founder?
Do not assume that. Immigration status depends on a specific legal basis and separate requirements.
When should I register a company?
Before the activity requires an entity for contracts, invoicing, hiring or investment. Confirm the route for your business first.