Key Update
Effective September 11, 2026, the Hague Apostille Convention is in force in Vietnam, simplifying the use of eligible foreign public documents in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has issued implementation guidance confirming that public documents issued in countries where the Convention applies in relation to Vietnam and bearing a valid Apostille should no longer require consular legalization.
Vietnamese authorities have also begun issuing implementation instructions at the local level, providing further confirmation of how the new process will be applied in practice.
What Has Changed?
Previously, foreign public documents used for administrative procedures in Vietnam generally required authentication and Vietnamese consular legalization.
Under the new process, eligible foreign public documents may instead be authenticated through an Apostille issued by the competent authority in the country of origin.
Vietnamese translation and notarization requirements continue to apply where required under Vietnamese regulations.
Authorities may verify Apostilles, including e-Apostilles, and may refuse documents where an Apostille cannot be authenticated, appears invalid or fraudulent, or was issued by a country where the Convention does not apply in relation to Vietnam.
Implementation Underway
MOFA has issued guidance to ministries, government agencies, and provincial authorities on implementation of the Convention. The guidance instructs receiving authorities not to require consular legalization for eligible documents bearing a valid Apostille and provides procedures for verifying Apostilles and seeking assistance from MOFA where necessary.
Implementation is also reaching local authorities. In Hải Phòng, the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) has issued an implementation notice following instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs dated September 7, 2026. The notice, addressed to the Economic Zone Authority and businesses operating in Hải Phòng, confirms that eligible foreign public documents bearing a valid Apostille should not require consular legalization.
Impact on Employers and Foreign Nationals
The change should simplify the preparation of foreign public documents commonly required for procedures in Vietnam, including work permit and immigration applications, by reducing document preparation steps and associated lead times.
However, employers and foreign nationals should be prepared for some variation in implementation during the initial transition period. Application of the new procedures may not immediately be consistent across all authorities, administrative levels and provinces.
Newland Chase Insights
Employers should review document preparation requirements for upcoming work permit and immigration applications to determine whether eligible foreign public documents can now use the Apostille process in place of authentication and Vietnamese consular legalization.
Newland Chase will continue to monitor implementation across Vietnam and provide updates as authorities establish consistent practices under the new framework.
This news alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific guidance or further information, please contact Newland Chase directly.