William Marshak, principal commercial officer of US Commercial Service, said local laws related to franchise have also been improved to provide the foreign franchisors with brand and business protection.

The conference was co-organized by the US Commercial Service, Edwards Global Services Inc. (EGS) and the August Bao Law firm. They held a similar event in Hanoi last week.

William Edwards, CEO of EGS, said “We have been watching Vietnam for five years and the country’s positive economic situation together with Vietnamese entrepreneurs’ understanding about franchise have encouraged us to enter the market.”

Last month, the Shoebox New York brand opened its first franchise outlet in Hanoi, joining the series of foreign franchised brands in Vietnam for several years including KFC, Pizza Hut and Gloria Jean Coffee.

Addressing the conference, Bao Anh Thai, managing partner of the August Bao Law firm said Vietnam’s legal system for franchise is more simple than other business models.

“It has even allowed foreign law to govern the franchise activities in Vietnam and it only takes five days to register,” he said.

Thai said, however, that franchisee should know how to protect their brands and comply with the intellectual property rights.

EGS brought to the conference three food franchises (Melting Pot, Round Table Pizza and Carl’s, Jr.), one children’s education franchise (Abrakadoodle) and one business-to-business service franchise (Signs Now).

The US franchisors are having one-on-one meetings with more than 30 Vietnamese companies for “matchmaking” opportunities.

Reported by Vinh Bao