Controls on Viet Kieu house ownership abolished

Laws - Effective August 8, 2010, overseas Vietnamese who still hold Vietnamese citizenship can own any number of houses in Vietnam.

Government decree 71 on the implementation of the Housing Law resolves many issues related to the ownership of houses of overseas Vietnamese (Việt kiều). Specifically, they will be allowed to buy houses as many as they wish if they still hold Vietnamese citizenship. That category includes Viet kieu who bear foreign passports but have documents proving that they have not lost their Vietnamese citizenship.

Certain other Viet kieu will also have the right to buy and sell houses in Vietnam freely. These include Viet kieu investors, Viet kieu who contribute to Vietnam’s development, are scientists, cultural experts, experts in ‘fields that Vietnam needs,’ or are married to Vietnamese citizens who live in Vietnam.

People of Vietnamese origin who don’t belong to the above categories but have been granted a visa exemption certificate are allowed to buy one house or one apartment in Vietnam.

Ways to prove ‘Vietnamese origin’

Bearers of Vietnamese passports that are still valid need only show documents proving their temporary residence in Vietnam, certified by local police where they live.

Those who bear valid foreign passports must present documents that prove their Vietnamese citizenship (usually a document issued by a Vietnamese embassy in their current country of residence) and temporary residence card or passport with a certificate of temporary residence or a stamp allowing them to live in Vietnam for at least three months that has been granted by the Vietnamese immigration agency.

Viet kieu wishing to buy more than one house in Vietnam must show their valid foreign passports; documents proving their Vietnamese origin; documents proving that they belong to the group of people with Vietnamese origin who have the right to own houses without restriction in Vietnam as explained above; and temporary residence card or passports with certification of temporary residence of at least three months.

Viet kieu wishing to buy only one house or one apartment in Vietnam must show their valid foreign passports, documents proving their Vietnamese origin, visa exemption document and temporary residence card or passports with certification of temporary residence of at least three months.