HELP - FOREIGNERS

Decree No. 51/2009/ND-CP of June 3, 2009, guiding a number of articles of the National Assembly's Resolution No. 19/2008/QH12 of June 3, 2008, on pilot permission for foreign organizations and individuals to purchase and own houses in Vietnam.

Foreign individuals and institutions wanting to obtain a government certificate on using land, inheriting, presenting or owning houses in the country according to National Assembly's Resolution No 19/2008 must meet full of following requirements:

• As for the direct foreign investors in Vietnam, their name must be recorded in investment certificates or similar documents that have the validity of over one year or have certificates proving their position in that investment company's director board, or management board.
• As for foreigners holding managerial positions in enterprises operating in Vietnam, they must have work permits or a valid work assignment decision in Vietnamese.
• Foreigners who had received a meritorious medal granted by Vietnamese President.
• Foreigners working in the fields of economics, science, technology, environment, training and education must have certificates on the specification level or a bachelors degree granted by Vietnamese or foreign authorities.
• Those with special skills must have professional certificates of Vietnamese associations along with labour licence granted by Vietnamese authorities
• Foreigners who married a Vietnamese citizen must have a marriage certificates issued in Vietnam or an official foreign authority along with Vietnamese passports (of their spouse) or resident household registry (ho khau) accompanied by the identification papers of their Vietnamese spouse.

To buy and own houses in Vietnam, the above foreigners must have a residency card or certificate remaining valid in longer 12 months granted by Vietnamese Ministry of Police.

Institutions operating in Vietnam and having valid investment certificates granted by Vietnamese authorities are also allowed to buy, inherit and own houses in the country.

Each eligible foreigner is permitted to own one house. If they want to own other house, they must sell the old one

Same as Vietnamese citizens