Vietnam undertakes to the WTO that “after 5 years from the date of accession, securities service suppliers with 100% foreign-invested capital shall be permitted”.  To implement this undertaking, Decree 58/2012 has expressly allowed:

• any foreign investor to acquire up to 49% interest in a domestic securities company; and
• foreign investors satisfying certain conditions (including coming from countries which have a cooperation agreement with the SSC) to acquire 100% interest in a domestic securities company.

Decree 58/2012 is silent on whether a foreign investor can acquire more than 49% but less than 100% interest in a domestic securities company. In a recent post on its website, the State Securities Commission has expressly confirmed that a foreign investor cannot acquire more than 49% but less than 100% interest in a domestic securities company.