Library

Conditions for Foreigners When Buying Houses in Vietnam

With open-door policies and a stable socio-economic situation, Vietnam is one of the countries with great attraction to foreign investors.  There are many foreign individuals and organizations come to Vietnam to live and work and a number of foreigners or foreign organizations wish to buy houses or apartments.  Many real estate developers also wish to expand the customers base through selling houses and apartments to foreigners in Vietnam.

However, according to current law, foreigners or foreign organizations can buy houses and apartment in Vietnam; and real estate developers could sell houses and apartments in Vietnam but must meet some conditions.

First of all, to be able to buy a house in Vietnam, foreign individuals and organizations must be one of the subjects that can own houses in Vietnam. Specifically, foreign organizations and individuals that are allowed to own houses in Vietnam include: (i) foreign organizations and individuals investing in housing construction under projects in Vietnam; (ii) foreign-invested enterprises, branches, representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign investment funds and foreign bank branches operating in Vietnam; (iii) foreigners whom are allowed to enter Vietnam. Accordingly, to be able to buy a house in Vietnam, these subjects must prove that they fully meet the conditions prescribed by law.

Specifically, foreign organizations and individuals investing in housing construction under projects in Vietnam must have an Investment Certificate and have houses built in the project according to regulations. For foreign organizations, they must set up company in Vietnam, have an investment certificate or a document related to being allowed to operate in Vietnam, issued by a competent Vietnamese state agency. Foreign individuals must be subject to permission to enter Vietnam and not be entitled to diplomatic and consular privileges and immunities.

Besides, depending on each different object, the documents proving the object and conditions for owning a house in Vietnam vary. For a foreign individual, s/he must have a valid passport with an entry verification stamp of the exit and entry management agency of Vietnam and not be eligible for special privileges and immunities. On the other hand, for foreign organizations, they must be eligible to own houses and have an Investment Registration Certificate or a document authorized by a competent Vietnamese agency to operate in Vietnam. In addition, these individuals and organizations should note that these documents must be valid at the time of signing the housing transactions.

Therefore, if organizations and individuals meet the above conditions, foreign individuals and organizations can purchase houses in Vietnam. However, it should be noted that foreign individuals can only own houses in Vietnam in the form of apartments or separate houses in an investment project to build commercial housing.

In addition, foreigners are also not allowed to purchase houses in areas that are subject of national defense and security under Vietnamese law. Further, foreign organizations and individuals are also limited in the number of ownership. Accordingly, foreign organizations and individuals are only allowed to own no more than 30% of the total number of apartments in an apartment building, and no more than 10% for an individual housing project of less than 2,500 units.

In general, purchasing houses for foreign individuals and organizations are subject to complicated legal conditions. Therefore, in order to ensure that the purchase of housing in Vietnam is in accordance with the regulations and to limit the risks arising, relevant individuals and organizations need to learn and seek legal advice and support from real estate lawyers in Vietnam.

How ANT Lawyers Could Help Your Business?

You could learn more about ANT Lawyers Real Estate or contact our lawyers in Vietnam for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at +84 28 730 86 529

ANT Lawyers

Recent Posts

The Employment in Vietnam Guide: 12 Key Legal Answers for Foreign Companies Entering the Market

Foreign companies entering Vietnam's thriving market face unique legal questions, especially around employing local talents.…

6 days ago

13 Critical Steps To Respond to Thailand’s Tough Anti-Dumping Investigation on Cold Rolled Stainless Steel

On October 3, 2024, Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) had officially launched an anti-dumping…

3 weeks ago

Anti-Dumping Investigation on Wood Fiber Boards from Thailand and China (AD21)

On September 25, 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade officially initiated an anti-dumping investigation…

1 month ago

Kick-Off Event of the 2024 International Mediation Writing Competition in Vietnam

The Weinstein International Foundation (WIF) has officially launched the 2024 International Mediation Writing Competition (IMWC2024).…

1 month ago

The 2024 Law on the Organization of Courts in Vietnam: Judicial Reform Towards Transparency

In recent years, Vietnam has continuously enhanced its legal framework to meet the demands of…

1 month ago

Real Estate Tax Policy in Vietnam: 10 Insights for Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities

Vietnam’s dynamic economic growth and hot real estate market have drawn the attention of investors…

2 months ago