To start a coffee business in Vietnam, lock your model and compliance plan first—your choice of kiosk, specialty café, or roastery determines permits, lease specs, and cash flow. Register a Household Business or LLC via the National Business Registration Portal (3–7 days for locals); foreign founders need an Investment Registration Certificate then an Enterprise Registration Certificate (≈30–45+ days total). Set up tax and e-invoices per Decree 123/2020; budget 10% VAT and 20% CIT. Secure the Food Safety Certificate (Giay ATTP), staff health checks, and fire-safety approval from the local police; get a signage permit. Choose a site with 1,000–3,000 daily footfall, 10–15 kW power, drainage for a floor sink, and space for a 1–1.2 m bar; request the landlord’s land-use certificate and fire egress drawings. Expect VND 300–800m to open a 40–80 m² shop in HCMC/Hanoi: rent VND 20–60m/month (2–3 months deposit), fit-out VND 3–8m/m², espresso machine VND 60–200m. Source beans from Dak Lak/Lam Dong (moisture <12%, screen 16+); Cau Dat arabica for blends; filter water to 50–100 ppm. Price to market—25–40k VND for robusta drinks, 35–55k VND espresso—then drive volume via GrabFood/ShopeeFood, MoMo/ZaloPay QR, and a POS with e-invoice. Hire and train baristas; sign labor contracts and enroll BHXH.
