Selling your small business in Vietnam: 5 steps guideline

Are you looking to sell your business in Vietnam but don’t know how? Through Bizspective, we have witnessed many business owners struggling to sell their small businesses in Vietnam.

Therefore, we have listed down 5 steps to help you navigate the process of selling your small business in Vietnam. By following this guideline, you will definitely increase your chance of success in this journey!

Step 1: Valuation to set a realistic price

When selling your small business in Vietnam, setting a reasonable price to attract buyers and close the deal is important. Several things should be taken into consideration when determining a realistic asking price, including:

• Financial performance: Examine your previous financial statements, looking at your profitability, revenue, and earnings. This will give you an idea of your business’s value and help you set a price that aligns with its financial health.
• Market trends: Examine the current market’s conditions and compare your business with similar businesses recently sold. This will show you how much the market is willing to pay for a similar business.
• Growth potential: If your business has a lot of growth potential, it may be worth more than a similar business that is not growing as quickly. When assessing growth potential, take into account things like your target market, your rivals, and any untapped market opportunities.
• Assets: Review the value of any tangible assets you have, such as inventory, real estate, and equipment. When setting the asking price, these assets should be considered because they can significantly increase your company’s value.
• Business or brand reputation: Your company’s value may be higher than that of a competitor with a lower reputation. Consider factors such as customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and industry awards when evaluating your business’s reputation.

Setting a fair asking price is essential to ensure that you get serious buyers. By evaluating these factors and working with a business broker or financial advisor, you can assure that the asking price accurately reflects your business’s value and helps you achieve your goals.

It’s important to have some evidence to show the potential buyer why you have valued it at that price, this will be an important negotiation tool, and it’s also why large corporations hire a 3rd party valuator, for small businesses you will probably have to do this yourself.

It’s also good to go into the negotiation knowing exactly what your minimum is, therefore you can make a quick deal without too much back and forth which could lead to losing the deal.

Step 2: Preparation

Next step of selling your small business in Vietnam, you need to make some preparations. Make any repairs, modifications, or adjustments to the property if needed. It is important to present your business in a professional manner to ensure that serious buyers are attracted. If you put in the effort, it will be more appealing to buyers and increase in value.

Preparing the paperwork and financial records is also a crucial step in selling your small business in Vietnam. Potential buyers will want to see clean and organized financial statements, tax returns, and other important documents during the due diligence process.

Make sure to tidy up your financial work, including reconciling accounts, tracking expenses, and ensuring all necessary licenses and permits are up-to-date. Work with your accountant to ensure all the tax has been done before putting your business up for sale. Furthermore, drafting a future plan for the business can also be helpful in demonstrating the potential for growth and profitability.

Step 3: Advertise your business for sale

Advertising your business for sale is critical to ensure its success in the marketplace. It’s important to stand out and make a good impression on potential buyers when so many businesses are for sale.

A marketing campaign that is well-executed and well-planned can help to increase interest in your business, attract qualified buyers, and ultimately help you to achieve your desired sale price. The right marketing strategy can also help to build trust and credibility with potential buyers, giving them confidence in your business and increasing the likelihood of a successful sale.

Create a complete plan, which includes offline and online platforms. If you want, working with a broker can be a good idea to market your business for sale in Vietnam. Using websites like Bizspective.com or Smerger will also help you reach potential buyers.

Moreover, you can increase your visibility by networking and connecting with business owners in the area. Feel free to be creative and innovative in advertising your small business for sale. Remember that the stronger your marketing plan is, the greater your chance of finding the right buyer.

Step 4: Find a buyer

The key to a smooth ownership transition is finding the right buyer. Taking your time to find the right buyer can be a lengthy and time-consuming process, but it’s worth it.

When selling your small business in Vietnam, you should screen potential buyers carefully. This is to make sure that they are committed to the sale and have sufficient funds to carry it out. You can use confidentiality agreements during screening to safeguard sensitive information. Both parties should be transparent and upfront during this process.

After locating a potential buyer, they will want to do due diligence. Therefore, have all your papers and financial records prepared. Inviting potential buyers to come and visit your business to learn more about the business and culture is a good idea. You can also make a brief deck highlighting your business’s strengths and showing its potential for growth and profitability. This information will help buyers better understand your business.

Step 5: Close the deal

When negotiating and closing the deal, be prepared to negotiate terms such as the purchase price and payment terms. To make sure the process of selling your small business in Vietnam complies with the local law, consider hiring a business lawyer if needed.

Once you have secured the deal, it is crucial to offer support and training to the new owners to make sure that everything goes smoothly. These could be introductions to the staff and the daily operation process. Or you could even offer to help out in the first few weeks to make the new owner more comfortable and well-prepared. These types of support are a great way to establish a good relationship with the new owner and make the transition smoother.

Key takeaways

• 5 steps to increase your chance of finding the perfect buyer: valuation, preparation, advertisement, finding a buyer, and closing the deal
• Set a reasonable price
• Prepare the business and paperwork thoroughly
• Advertising your business for sale
• Take your time to find the right buyer, don’t rush

Selling your small business in Vietnam can be challenging, but it’s not impossible! If you need any help during the process of selling your small business in Vietnam, don’t hesitate to send our experts your questions.

With the right approach and mindset, selling your small business in Vietnam can lead to new opportunities and continued success. Good luck on your journey!