Which ASEAN countries have a franchise law?
Of the seven markets compared here, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia have franchise-specific rules: Vietnam's Commercial Law and Decree 35/2006, Indonesia's Government Regulation 35/2024, and Malaysia's Franchise Act 1998. Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia have no franchise statute; Thailand uses competition-law guidelines, the Philippines the IP Code plus Executive Order 169, Singapore general contract law, and Cambodia a Ministry of Commerce rule on recording agreements.
Where does a foreign franchisor have to register before selling franchises?
In Vietnam, with the Ministry of Industry and Trade for franchises coming from abroad. In Malaysia, a foreign franchisor needs prior approval under section 54 of the Franchise Act and then registration with the Registrar of Franchises. In Indonesia, franchisors and franchisees need a franchise registration certificate (STPW). Thailand and Singapore have no registration; in the Philippines only agreements with MSME franchisees are filed with the DTI, and in Cambodia the franchise agreement is recorded with the Ministry of Commerce within six months.
How long before signing must a franchisor give a disclosure document?
At least 15 working days in Vietnam, unless the parties agree otherwise, and at least 10 days in Malaysia. Indonesia requires a prospectus in Bahasa Indonesia at least 14 calendar days before signing. Thailand requires pre-signing disclosure of key terms without a set waiting period; the Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia have no statutory disclosure.
Which ASEAN country has the strictest franchise law?
Malaysia, on the measures compared here: foreign franchisors need ministerial approval before selling, every franchisor and franchisee registers, disclosure includes three years of audited accounts, and every agreement must carry a cooling-off period of at least seven working days and a minimum term of five years.
Is there a cooling-off period for franchisees in Southeast Asia?
Malaysia requires a cooling-off period of at least seven working days in every franchise agreement. Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia set none. In the Philippines, Executive Order 169 lists a cooling-off period among the minimum terms for agreements with MSME franchisees.
Can a franchisor open a new outlet next to an existing franchisee in Thailand?
Only after offering the nearest existing franchisee a right of first refusal with at least 30 days to respond, under the Trade Competition Commission's franchise guidelines. The rule does not apply if the franchisee missed performance criteria it was told about in advance, or where an area development agreement rules it out.
Does Vietnam's Decree 342/2026 change franchise rules?
No. Decree 342/2026 replaces Decree 09/2018 on trading in goods by foreign-invested companies, including retail-outlet licences. It matters to a foreign franchisor only if its own Vietnamese subsidiary runs stores; franchise registration is still governed by Decree 35/2006.
How current is this comparison?
Every line was checked against its source by Lexi, Go Global Holdings' AI legal-research agent, on 9 October 2026, and each source is shown with its own date. Laws change; check the source and take local legal advice before acting.
