How to find factory/warehouse space for my new business?

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to start a small-ish garment factory in Vietnam.

I’ve searched many websites but it seems they're either broken, out of date, or they only deal with large-scale businesses.

Does anyone know owners who want to lease/rent spaces or know registered brokers who can help me find something like this:

A warehouse styled building (or factory) in the size range of 700sqm to 1,000 sqm.
Location can be HMCM or Da Nang up to central Vietnam - or in their neighbouring provinces.
I do not wish to be near Hanoi or in the north. Bottom half of the country only.


I'd love to connect with anyone who has such knowledge. Thank you. - @Sunrise_Soldier

Local property agents would be your best bet here in Đà Nẵng. You can find them with a simple inquiry in any one of a number of Face.book Real Estate groups

@OceanBeach92107

Thank you for replying.

I've been in a few FB groups and, so far, there seems to be a lot of mistrust directed at the local agents. Many scams going on.

By chance, do you know of any you would trust?

@Sunrise_Soldier

Have you taken a look through a rental/sales site which is very popular with locals? A bonus is that the price-per-metre will be at local pricing levels.

If you cannot read Vietnamese, you'll have to rely on a browser translator add-on. There is no English option.

Here is their listing of business properties for rent, nationwide. There's also a "Brokers" filter, if you choose. You can narrow your geographic search parameters, but since you're open to different locations it might be easier for you to browse the entire listing. Metres and price are given in each description.

@Aidan in HCMC

This is great! And Google Translate works well.

I'm arriving in Vietnam in early March, and then will start driving around meeting people/brokers/owners, etc.

Would you say that listings on these types of Vietnamese sites are trustworthy?

@Aidan in HCMC
This is great! And Google Translate works well.

Glad to hear it! I've used the site to find/purchase a few items over the years. No properties or rentals, mostly motorcycle parts, rain gear, electronics...

I'm arriving in Vietnam in early March, and then will start driving around meeting people/brokers/owners, etc.

Safe to assume you've visited Vietnam in the past? Your initial post stating your insistence on a mid-to-south locale suggests you've at least some familiarity with the country. If true, you're no doubt aware of the potential language barrier one is likely to encounter, especially in non-urban regions. The use of a broker might be a good option, failing your having a guide/interpreter available to you.

Would you say that listings on these types of Vietnamese sites are trustworthy? - @Sunrise_Soldier

I've had no issues, but then again all of my transactions with people who've listed on the site have been one time, cash deals (with an immediate receipt of goods).

@Aidan in HCMC

I've never been to Vietnam. Been in Indonesia for 11 years.

There seem to be some similarities between Southeast Asian countries with respect to business protocols and service levels, the need for trusted contacts on the ground, the need for strong legal representation, corruption at varying levels of government / police / citizens, etc.

I've had some luck finding suitable places on the Nha Tot website. But I can't setup an account without a Vietnamese number. When we arrive in 2 weeks, I'll grab a sim card right away so I can register and then, start contacting brokers.

I'll be there for 2 months. HMCM first, then Da Nang. And everthing in between. Hopefully that's enough time to find the best spot for the new business.

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. You've been truly helpful! Thank you.

I've never been to Vietnam. Been in Indonesia for 11 years.
There seem to be some similarities between Southeast Asian countries with respect to business protocols and service levels, the need for trusted contacts on the ground, the need for strong legal representation, corruption at varying levels of government / police / citizens, etc.

- @Sunrise_Soldier

you need a trustworthy lawyer who will connect you with a trustworthy business consultant.

together the two of them are going to help you navigate the unique requirements in this communist country.

now that you've expanded on yourself and your plans, I'd highly recommend that you not do anything further towards securing a property until you've been able to work through the consultant to run your plans by the government.

hopefully you know you can't bring any employees with you from Indonesia and everyone you employ will need to be Vietnamese and you will need to meet all of the requirements for payroll and taxes and other support.

your business consultant and the lawyer will help you find out if there are any official or unofficial conflicts in the neighborhood you select, meaning, if there's already somebody running a similar business nearby who sees you as unwelcome competition.

Also if there are any influential members of the communist party living in the neighborhood you choose you might need to get special approval from the local party in order to establish your business there.

if someone who's connected doesn't want you in that neighborhood they will make your life pretty much impossible until you turn around and go somewhere else.

also be aware that it's possible to establish a business in Vietnam without qualifying for an extended visa for temporary resident card.

so if you are also planning to move here, you will definitely need the guidance of your attorney and your business consultant to help you set up your business and your required capital contributions in order to fully qualify for temporary resident status beyond that of a tourist.

The government might even require you to have a Vietnamese partner in ownership of your business. previously that was mandatory, but I'm not sure if it's still required.

Even if you are required to have a Vietnamese partner, that can be very beneficial for you if they are someone who is business savvy and trustworthy and able to navigate the minefield of establishing a business here in this country.

@Sunrise_Soldier

such a long time I've not logged in to this web, I've just read your article, I'm living in Binh Duong where is far away from HCM about 30Km. Binh Duong is very strong province where is attracting lots of FDI. I'm local person so I think that if you could consider abt this location, I can help to find more information for you.

- @Sunrise_Soldier

you need a trustworthy lawyer who will connect you with a trustworthy business consultant.

together the two of them are going to help you navigate the unique requirements in this communist country.
now that you've expanded on yourself and your plans, I'd highly recommend that you not do anything further towards securing a property until you've been able to work through the consultant to run your plans by the government.

1. Yes, always sage advice. We've been contacting law firms for about 2 months and have finally shortlisted to 3 big ones that also have international presence. As we've been running a foreign company here in Indonesia, the process is the same for us.

hopefully you know you can't bring any employees with you from Indonesia and everyone you employ will need to be Vietnamese and you will need to meet all of the requirements for payroll and taxes and other support.

1. We only planned to hire Vietnamese. It's the same here in Indonesia; we wouldn't hire outside the local population.

your business consultant and the lawyer will help you find out if there are any official or unofficial conflicts in the neighborhood you select, meaning, if there's already somebody running a similar business nearby who sees you as unwelcome competition.
Also if there are any influential members of the communist party living in the neighborhood you choose you might need to get special approval from the local party in order to establish your business there.
if someone who's connected doesn't want you in that neighborhood they will make your life pretty much impossible until you turn around and go somewhere else.

1. This can be annoying. Someone tried to do this to us here in Indonesia and it took a bit of cajoling but they eventually stopped. I hope the overall feelings of our Vietnamese neighbours are favourable.

also be aware that it's possible to establish a business in Vietnam without qualifying for an extended visa for temporary resident card.

1. Yes, all the law firms have outlined the process and their service levels in this matter. We're just going to follow the legal route and safeguard ourselves and our business from unnecessary friction.

so if you are also planning to move here, you will definitely need the guidance of your attorney and your business consultant to help you set up your business and your required capital contributions in order to fully qualify for temporary resident status beyond that of a tourist. The government might even require you to have a Vietnamese partner in ownership of your business. previously that was mandatory, but I'm not sure if it's still required.

1. A Vietnamese partner is not required anymore. We'll be bringing over enough capital investment and capital contribution to quality for a 100% foreign-owned company with the right types of investor visa, permits, licenses, etc.

Even if you are required to have a Vietnamese partner, that can be very beneficial for you if they are someone who is business savvy and trustworthy and able to navigate the minefield of establishing a business here in this country.

In Indonesia, we did this about 10 years ago. Within the second year he tried to screw us over and it took 2 years to get rid of the guy. It didn't cost us any money as our lawyers provided guidance for free, but it did cost us a lot of frustration and stress in the end. for Vietnam, we'll be partnering with a strong law firm and just register all licenses through them. Our lawyers here have been our best partners.