When Foreign Currency Usage not Forbidden in Vietnam?

Foreign currency is a form of foreign exchange, the currency of another country or the common currency currently used in international and regional payments are collectively referred to as foreign currency. Cash foreign currency includes banknotes and coins. Banking and finance lawyers are always asked if an organization could use foreign currency on contract or for conducting certain business transactions, in Vietnam or abroad.

In order to ensure convenience in conducting transactions in Vietnam, ensure the rights of the State Bank and limit smuggling crimes, Foreign Exchange Ordinance provided: “within the territory of Vietnam, usage of foreign currency is not allowed in most cases for example foreign currency are not allowed in agreements, in making payments.  Further, foreign currency even is not allowed in listings, advertisements, quotation, pricing. These apply for both residents and non- residents except for cases permitted in accordance with regulation of the State bank of Vietnam.”

However, there are some special cases where the Government allows individuals and organizations to use foreign currency when conducting transactions in the Vietnamese territory. Vietnam State Bank issued instructions that stipulate that residents are allowed to contribute capital in foreign currency by transfer in order to perform foreign investment projects in Vietnam. Residents being entities with legal person status are allowed to conduct internal transfer of capital in foreign currency between their accounts with accounts of their dependent units that have no legal person status and vice versa.

Non-residents are allowed to transfer in foreign currency for other non-residents; are allowed to denote prices in contracts in foreign currency and payment of export goods and services in foreign currency by transfer for residents. For foreign investors in Vietnam, foreign investors may deposit or escrow deposit in foreign currency by transfer when participating in auctions in the following cases:

(i) Purchase of shares in equitized state-owned enterprises approved by the Prime Minister;

(ii) Purchase of shares or contributed capital by the State in state-owned enterprises or divestment state-owned enterprises approved by the Prime Minister;

(iii) Purchase of shares or contributed capital of a State-owned enterprise to invest in another enterprise for divestment approved by the Prime Minister.

In case of winning the auction, the foreign investor shall transfer investment capital in accordance with the provisions of law on foreign exchange management to pay for the value of buying shares or contributed capital. In case of unsuccessful auction, foreign investors are allowed to transfer overseas the deposit or deposit in foreign currency after deducting related expenses, if any.

Except for the cases prescribed by the State Bank, acts of using foreign currency while performing transactions in the territory of Vietnam will be sanctioned depending on the seriousness of the violation. Therefore, individuals and organizations should pay attention to avoid unfortunate risks that may occur.

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