Paperwork explained

Documents

Every document involved in a Vietnamese property purchase — what it is, why it matters and how to obtain it.

Financing documents

Agreement in principle: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Agreement in principle for a Hanoi purchase: who issues it, when you need it, cost, validity and how foreign buyers obtain one. Updated July 2026.

Bank commitment letter: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Bank commitment letter for a Hanoi purchase: who issues it, typical cost, validity and how foreign buyers obtain one before signing. Updated July 2026.

Loan offer: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Loan offer for a Hanoi purchase: who issues it, typical cost, validity and how foreign buyers obtain one before signing. Updated July 2026.

Loan simulation: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Loan simulation for a Hanoi purchase: what it shows, who provides it, typical cost and how foreign buyers use it to plan financing. Updated July 2026.

Bank certificate: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Bank certificate (giấy xác nhận số dư) explained for foreign buyers: who issues it, what it costs, how valid it is, and how to get one. Updated July 2026.

Bank statements: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Bank statements for foreign buyers in Hanoi: who asks for one, what period to cover, translation rules and how to avoid rejection. Updated July 2026.

Employment contract: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Employment contract (hợp đồng lao động) explained for foreign buyers: who issues it, what it costs, and how it proves income. Updated July 2026.

Payslips: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Payslips (bảng lương) for a Vietnam home purchase: who issues them, what they cost, validity, and how banks read them to assess your loan income.

Proof of income: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Proof of income (giấy xác nhận thu nhập) explained for foreign buyers: who issues it, what it costs, and how banks use it. Updated July 2026.

Tax notice: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Tax notice (thông báo thuế) explained for foreign buyers: who issues it, what it costs, and your payment deadline. Updated July 2026.

Bank guarantee (Bảo lãnh): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Bank guarantee (bảo lãnh) for foreign buyers: issuer, cost, validity and checks before you pay a deposit. Updated July 2026.

Business Registration Certificate: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

How foreign investors obtain Vietnam's Business Registration Certificate (ERC): cost, validity and requirements to invest in Hanoi property.

Developer license: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Developer license in Vietnam explained: who issues it, when to check it, verification costs and pitfalls before you sign. Updated July 2026.

Environmental certificate: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Environmental certificate (giấy phép môi trường) explained for foreign buyers: issuer, cost, validity and checks before you sign. Updated July 2026.

Investment Certificate: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Investment certificate (IRC) in Vietnam: issuer, cost, validity and how foreign investors secure one before buying in Hanoi. Updated July 2026.

Booking agreement: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Booking agreement in Vietnam explained for foreign buyers: who issues it, typical cost, validity and pitfalls to check before signing. Updated July 2026.

Deposit agreement: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Deposit agreement (đặt cọc) explained for foreign buyers: who drafts it, typical 5-30% amount, notarisation, refund risks. Updated July 2026.

Handover minutes: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Handover minutes (biên bản bàn giao) explained for foreign buyers: what it records, how to sign it safely, and pitfalls to avoid. Updated July 2026.

Reservation agreement: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Reservation agreement in Vietnam for foreign buyers: who issues it, typical cost, how long it stays valid, and pitfalls to check before signing.

Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) in Vietnam explained: what it covers, notarisation rules, typical costs, and the steps to take before signing.

Transfer contract: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Transfer contract (hợp đồng chuyển nhượng) in Vietnam for foreign buyers: who drafts it, notarisation steps, cost, and how to register your title.

Building / construction permit: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

The building/construction permit (giấy phép xây dựng) in Vietnam: who issues it, typical cost, validity period, and checks to make before you sign.

Fire safety certificate: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Fire safety certificate (PCCC) explained for foreign buyers: issuer, cost, validity and checks to make before you sign. Updated July 2026.

House Ownership Certificate: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

House ownership certificate explained for foreign buyers: issuer, cost, validity and checks to make before you rely on it. Updated July 2026.

Land Use Right Certificate (LURC): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Land Use Right Certificate (LURC) in Vietnam: issuer, 50-year term, and registration costs foreign buyers should verify. Updated July 2026.

Master plan (1/500): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Master plan (1/500) in Vietnam: who approves it, verification costs, and key pitfalls to check before you reserve a unit. Updated July 2026.

Pink Book (Sổ hồng): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Pink Book (sổ hồng) in Vietnam: who issues it, when you receive it, what it costs, and the pitfalls foreign buyers must check before signing.

Planning approval: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Planning approval (phê duyệt quy hoạch) explained for foreign buyers: issuer, cost, validity and checks before you sign. Updated July 2026.

Red Book (Sổ đỏ): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Red Book (sổ đỏ) explained for foreign buyers: what it certifies, how it differs from a Pink Book, and what to check before you buy. Updated July 2026.

Certificate of celibacy: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Certificate of celibacy for a Hanoi property purchase: who asks for it, where to get it, what it costs and how long it stays valid. Updated July 2026.

Inheritance deed: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Inheritance deed (văn bản thừa kế): who issues it, when it matters in a purchase, what it costs, and foreign-heir eligibility. Updated July 2026.

Marriage contract: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Marriage contract in Vietnam: certification, cost, validity, and how it affects your Hanoi property purchase before you sign. Updated July 2026.

Power of Attorney: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Power of attorney for a Hanoi property purchase: who certifies it, what it costs, how long it lasts, and how to sign from abroad. Updated July 2026.

Will (Vietnam): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Will (di chúc) in Vietnam: who can make one, what it costs, how long it lasts, and how your Hanoi property passes to your heirs. Updated July 2026.

Condominium regulations: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Condominium regulations in Vietnam: who issues them, when you get them, what they cost, and pitfalls to check before signing. Updated July 2026.

Owners' general assembly: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Owners' general assembly (Hội nghị nhà chung cư): who convenes it, how voting and proxies work, what it decides for foreign owners. Updated July 2026.

Maintenance fund (2%): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

The 2% maintenance fund in Vietnam: who collects it, how it's calculated, and how to verify payment before handover. Updated July 2026.

Service charges: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Service charges in Vietnam: how they're calculated per m², typical rates by building tier, and how to check before you buy. Updated July 2026.

Household registration (Hộ khẩu): what it is, why it matters, how it works

Household registration (hộ khẩu) explained: who it covers, why it matters in due diligence, and what replaced the paper hộ khẩu book. Updated July 2026.

Personal identification number: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Personal identification number (số định danh cá nhân) explained: who has one, why foreign buyers don't need it, and what to use instead. Updated July 2026.

Police registration: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Police registration (khai báo tạm trú) for foreign owners in Hanoi: who files it, the 12-hour deadline, cost, and how it works. Updated July 2026.

Tax identification number: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Tax identification number (mã số thuế) explained for foreign buyers: who issues it, what it costs, and how to obtain one. Updated July 2026.

Temporary residence registration: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Temporary residence registration (khai báo tạm trú) in Vietnam: who must declare it, the 12-24 hour deadline, and how it differs from a residence card.

Passport: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Passport (hộ chiếu) explained for foreign buyers: why Vietnam requires it, validity rules and how it's used in your Hanoi purchase file. Updated July 2026.

Permanent Residence Card: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Permanent residence card in Vietnam: who qualifies, the cost, validity period — and why buying a Hanoi home doesn't grant or require this card.

Temporary Residence Card (TRC): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Temporary Residence Card (thẻ tạm trú) in Vietnam explained for buyers: who issues it, cost, validity, and why owning an apartment doesn't grant one.

Vietnam visa: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Vietnam e-visa explained for foreign buyers: who needs one, cost, validity, exemptions and how to apply before your Hanoi purchase trip. Updated July 2026.

Property tax: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Is there an annual property tax in Vietnam? What foreign owners actually pay: 0.5% registration, 2% resale tax, rental VAT & PIT. Updated July 2026.

Tax receipt & payment certificate: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

Tax receipt & payment certificate (biên lai thuế) in Vietnam: who issues it, what it costs, and how to file it correctly in your Pink Book application.

Tax return: what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

How foreign owners file a Vietnam tax return: rental and resale PIT declarations, who files, what it costs, deadlines and refunds. Updated July 2026.

VAT (Vietnam property): what it is, why it matters, how to obtain it

VAT (thuế GTGT) in Vietnam explained for foreign buyers: when it applies, the 5% rate on rental income, and how to stay compliant. Updated July 2026.