Can foreigners buy property in Vietnam?

Until a few years ago, the Vietnamese government still restricted foreign ownership by their laws. The cap was limited to one unit in a condominium. Therefore, at that time, there were not many foreigners who could invest in Vietnam real estate market.

Nonetheless, since July 2015, thanks to the Vietnamese Law on Residential Housing (LRH), foreigners can buy property in Vietnam at ease.

In other words, you can buy as many properties as you want, as long as you have enough money. This can be considered as a revolution in the regulations of foreign ownership.

Can foreigners buy land in Vietnam?

Like in most Southeast Asian countries, expats can not buy and own any land. As regulated in the constitution, the land is of collective proprietorship by all Vietnamese and governed by the state.

As regulated in the national Land Law, foreign organizations and individuals are able to rent land. Commonly, the validity of the lease can be up to 50 years. However, in exceptional cases, it can be up to 70 years and can even increase to 99 years in 2020.

Even if the stipulations are becoming more and more comfortable, and likely to loosen up in the future, it is still necessary for you to be cautious. For example, there is nothing to guarantee that you can always refresh your rent time.

Vietnam’s new law to foreign ownership of property

The most important things you need to know about the new foreign ownership of property law are as follows:

• If an expat has a tourist visa, he can buy a property.
• You can buy an unlimited number of real estate in the country. But at the time being, a foreigner can not buy more than 250 houses in one ward.
• Expats can buy up to 30% of the units in condominiums and can possess a maximum proportion of 10% of the properties in a project.
• The 50-year leasehold period is now renewable.
• If you marry a Vietnamese, you can get free ownership.

Vietnam’s Land Use Rights (LUR)

Fortunately, the Land Use Rights (LUR) can increase the safety for foreign investment in Vietnam.

As regulated in the LUR, you have no proprietorship on lands but the right to use the (including the land rented or endowed by the Vietnamese government.

Nevertheless, you will have to assign your Land Use Rights Certificate (LURC) to the Vietnamese government if you want to lease your land.

Can foreigners buy property from Vietnamese people?

Usually, foreigners will purchase real estates from former foreign landlords or dealers on the primary market.

That is because there is a significant limit on the secondary market. Unless the foreign quota is less than 30%, you will not be able to buy property from local citizens.

Vietnam real estate foreign ownership

It’s necessary for you to get a certificate of proprietorship if you want to purchase an estate from a property developer.

Due to the protection of national defense and security, since 2017, the government has made it harder for foreigners to receive their property ownership certificates.

According to a decree on Vietnam’s housing laws, expats can only possess up to 30% of the apartments in a project and are not allowed to own property in the checklists of special areas reserved for national defense and security.

Only the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security have the authority to determine those lists. To know about the list of housing projects available to foreign buyers, you should go to the department of construction in your area.

Ensure that you can totally possess your prospective property and get the ownership certificate as a foreigner before making any purchase.

In Vietnam, the certificate of land use rights, ownership of houses, and other assets attached to land is commonly called the pink book. In other words, a pink book expresses your full proprietorship.

It has that name due to the pink color of its cover, and Vietnamese want to call it in that name for convenience.

Issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the pink book is valid to all kinds of land all over the country.

What does the pink book include?

The pink book will have the following uses:

• Function as collateral for bank loans
• Allow you to utilize your house for residential and any other purposes.
• Enable you to dismantle, maintain, renovate, or rebuild your house (but you must obey the conditions and procedures of laws on construction).
• Let you lease/sell/mortgage the house or give it to an heir.

The process when buying property in Vietnam

Before deciding to invest in Vietnam, you should understand the buying process thoroughly. No one wants to meet any unexpected additional fees that may appear later.

Below is a list of crucial things you should notice during the buying process.

1. Paying for a property in Vietnam

• You can pay with cash assets, housing mortgage, or both of them.
• Some sellers will allow installment with different interest rate.
• Nowadays, transactions ordinarily utilize VND (Vietnamese Dong), and the US Dollar is invalid.

Example of a payment method for an apartment project in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam below:

2. Why do you plan to buy?

Ask yourself what you are looking forward to when investing in Vietnam.

Central areas in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City is the best choice for anyone who is looking for high appreciation. They are appealing to many foreign corporations, expats, and local people.

If you like a beachside resort, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, and Nha Trang are more suitable. Especially in Da Nang City, the housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years.

If you keen to high rental or trading profits, you had better purchase a range of units in places like Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. This can also help you to minify the risk.

3. Hiring a property lawyer in Vietnam (optional)

I suggest you should consult a solicitor for significant transactions as there may be still some difficulties blocking your way.

However, expats will hardly need a lawyer when buying apartments on the primary market.

You can find not only foreign but also reputable local developers. Commonly, your property developer or agent will include a property lawyer when necessary.

4. Booking a property/apartment

Once your agent has helped you to find out your favorite property, it’s time for you to make a booking for this. Normally it will fall between VND 50 million and VND 100 million (about USD 2100 to USD 4500). This fee is for reservation purpose until the date of sale opening ceremony, this amount is refundable at anytime.

For example, your booking reservation number is 87th, on the sale opening ceremony, after 86 others will be given priority to pre-select an property to buy, then it will be your turn, if you decide not to buy that property, you can take back the booking money amount.

Pay and sign the Deposit Contract

At the Sale Opening Ceremonypay, If you decide to buy the property, the booking amount will be converted into a deposit and non-refundable

When you sign the Option to enter the Deposit Contract Agreement, pay your deposit by credit card or bank telegraphic transfer.

5. Pay the first installment & enter Deposit Contract

Within 14 days since paying your first deposit, you must pay your installment for the first time. The bank transfer will manage this payment.

By paying the first installment, you have agreed to enter the Deposit Contract. Later, it will not be transferable.

6. Pay the following installments per schedule

You and the seller should agree on all points of view in the contract before signing. Then, you will pay the following installments as specified in the contract terms.

Example of a payment schedule for an apartment project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:

7. Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA)

After your foreign ownership eligibility confirmation, you should draft and execute your SPA, and it shall be transferable later.

8. Handover of the unit

You will have to pay the maintenance fee equivalent to 2% of the purchase value before you can acquire your property.Apart from the maintenance fee, you need to pay one year of management and operation fees, the registration cost (0.5%), and an additional installment.

9. Preparation for granting the pink book

Once you have signed the SPA and controlled your financial duties, it is time to submit your documents together with the application to receive the pink book.

10. Final payment

Make your last pay within 14 days since you receive the notification of getting the pink book



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