Real Estate Legal Matters in Vietnam

     In general, it is not permitted to own land in Vietnam as a private entity because the land belongs to the people and the State of Vietnam thereby operates as the administrator. So when it comes to real estate, what can be purchased? what can the buyer own? As the question would be raised to real estate lawyers in Vietnam, we need to go in specific definition when someone wish to invest in real estate in Vietnam need to understand.

You may have the right to use land in Vietnam?

Ownership of a right to use land is permitted according to Vietnamese Law. This so-called Land Use Right (“LUR”) Certificate provides the means to lease land from the State for Vietnamese and foreign people. This LUR Certificate entitles the land users to protect their legitimate rights and interests. The sale of a house or real estate is in fact the transfer of the rights for house ownership combined with the transfer of the land use right from the seller. The right to use land can be directly acquired by different ways that are: lease from the state; sub-lease from a developer of a zone; transfer from another land user; allocation from the state. The legal grounds for Land and House Law of Vietnam are stipulated in the Law on Housing as well as in the Law on Land. The rights and entitlements of holders of house ownership and the holders of the LUR Certificate are settled in this law.

The name of the individual who holds the house ownership shall be written in the house ownership right certificate and his/her rights include for example the rights to posses; use; sell; lease; donate; exchange; lend or to let other people stay temporarily in the house. The one who holds the LUR and house ownership certificate is entitled to exercise the full range of rights over the land/house. As such, land use rights and ownership of assets on the land are combined in the Certificate of Land Use Right and House Ownership Right (LURC).

Can foreigners buy houses in Vietnam?

But the possibilities to acquire land or houses depend on the individual/organization that wishes to do so, because Vietnamese, overseas Vietnamese and Foreigners do not have the same rights. Especially for foreigners, it was often quite challenging to acquire land or houses in Vietnam. Before the year of 2009, foreigners could not legally acquire property but only could make a joint venture with a Vietnamese company. But the Resolution No. 19/2008(ND-QH12, effective January 2009, started to entitle foreigners to own houses in Vietnam under the conditions that the foreigner 1) is hired by an enterprise that currently operates in Vietnam and 2) must have at least a temporary residence card to purchase and own an apartment unit in Vietnam. This five-year piloting program that would end in 2014 is now discussed by the Vietnamese Prime Minister to continue this program after the first five years to support the real estate market and to make it more attractive for foreigners.

After the first 5 years, the government stated to have the plan to review the pilot policy and the Ministry of Construction also opened up for the idea to allow foreigners to buy houses no matter if they work and do business here or if they want to buy real estates in Vietnam.

As the Vietnam’s real estate situation seems to stand before a turning point, it is necessary to keep up to date with all legal changes and developments. Due to the fact that Vietnamese law has special provisions for every organization or individual who wishes to operate with land and real estates related to House Law, it is inevitable to know about this legal circumstances in Vietnam.

How real estate lawyers in Vietnam could help?

ANT Lawyers could assist in different land and house related projects and matters such as land ownership, house purchase or sale and is aware of the differences between provisions on house law for foreigners and Vietnamese. Our professionals could advise clients about possibilities and potential risks concerning real estate laws, housing laws in Vietnam and furthermore could support clients with required procedures with the Vietnamese authorities.

Nguồn: https://antlawyers.vn/library/real-estate-lawyers-in-vietnam-advice.html

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Why Client Should Retain Real Estate Lawyers in Vietnam?

 Due to changes in law attracting foreigners to come to live, and invest in Vietnam, foreigners have growing interest in investment and acquiring real estate. However, as real estate is valuable assets, the law on real estate ownership and real estate transactions are complicated, especially for foreigners.

Under the land ownership regime in Vietnam, land belongs to the entire people with the State acting as the owner’s representative and uniformly managing land. Hence, in Vietnam, the land users will have the land use right without the private ownership of the land. Land law 2013 does not allow foreigner to have land use rights in Vietnam. It only allows foreign invested enterprises to be permitted to use land through the form of land allocation or lease.

Although foreigner do not have land use rights in Vietnam, they are allowed to own houses in Vietnam under the Law on Housing. In addition, the Law on Real Estate Business has certain limitations for foreign investors to conduct real estate business in Vietnam and must meet the legal requirements.

Foreign investors investing in Vietnam wish to use the land to conduct business activities, or intend to conduct real estate business in Vietnam, or simply a foreigner wishing to purchase and own real estate in Vietnam should be aware of the legal provisions on conditions of implementation, orders and procedures to of the transactions to minimize risks. The assistance of the lawyers on real estate in Vietnam shall be worthwhile.

Real estate lawyers in Vietnam would have in-depth knowledge of the Land Law, Law on Housing, Law on Real Estate Business and related regulations. In addition, they would have practical experience in implementing legal procedures, handling disputes, and supporting real estate transactions in Vietnam. The real estate lawyers could explain the restrictions on land use rights of foreign organizations and individuals in Vietnam and the conditions for conducting business in real estate in Vietnam. The lawyers at request could assist the foreigners with the process and procedures to work with state agencies to obtain land use rights for enterprise and home ownership rights for individual more effectively.

When conducting transactions related to real estate such as buying, selling, transferring, renting, leasing, real estate lawyers could also provide assistance in in legal due diligence of the real estate to minimize legal risk to clients. It is important to evaluate the legal status of the property, the owner of property, whether property is in dispute, or subject to additional requirements of government before being sold by the developer and the people eligible for entering into the transaction. In addition, the lawyers in Vietnam can advise clients to draft or review the agreements, sales contract as well as the process to legalize the process to comply with the law in Vietnam.

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers have Law firm in Hanoi, Law firm in Ho Chi Minh and Law firm in Danang.

Nguồn:https://antlawyers.vn/library/why-client-should-retain-real-estate-lawyers-in-vietnam.html

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What Are New in Real Estate Trading Business From 2021?

     The Law on Investment 2020 takes effect from January 1, 2021 with many new highlights, including the amendment of conditions for real estate business in the Law on Real Estate Trading 2014.

Specifically, amending regulations on real estate business conditions in the Law on Real Estate Trading 2014 as follows: “Any organizations and individuals trading in real estate must set up enterprises or cooperatives (hereinafter referred to as an enterprise), except for the case specified in Clause 2 of this Article. ”

Clause 1, Article 10 of the 2014 Law on Real Estate Business stipulates that “Any organizations or individuals wish to conduct real estate trading shall set up enterprises or cooperatives (hereinafter referred to as enterprises) and have legal capital not smaller than VND 20 billion, excluding cases prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.”

In addition, the Law on Investment 2020 also amends regulations on the competence to permit the transfer of all or a portion of real estate projects. For real estate projects approved by investors or granted an investment registration certificate in accordance with the Law on Investment, the competence and procedures for the transfer of all or a portion of the project comply with regulations of the Law on Investment. For real estate projects not falling into the above cases, the competence to permit the transfer of all or a portion of real estate projects is as follows: Provincial People’s Committee decides to allow the transfer of all or a portion of the real estate projects for projects decided by the provincial People’s Committee to invest; The Prime Minister shall decide to permit the transfer of all or a portion of real estate project to projects for which the investment is decided by the Prime Minister.

In case organizations, households or individuals sell, transfer, lease, or lease purchase real estate on a small scale, rarely, it is not required for real estate enterprise to be set up, but they must declare and pay taxes according to the provisions of law.

Nguồn:https://antlawyers.vn/library/what-are-new-in-real-estate-trading-business-from-2021.html

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How Foreigners Could Buy Real Estate in Vietnam?

     Regulations on foreigners owning real estate in Vietnam are regulated in Civil Code 2015, Law on Land 2013, Law on Housing 2014, Decree no. 99/2015/ND- CP on guidelines the Law on Housing and related documents.

For land, foreign individuals are not eligible to use land assigned or leased by the State, recognized land use rights, received transfer of land use rights. However, a foreign-invested enterprise could be allocated or leased land by the State, recognized land use rights, or received a land use right transfer. Foreign-invested enterprises that are assigned land by the State with the collection of land use levies to execute investment projects on the construction of houses for sale or for sale in combination with lease.

For housing, foreign entities eligible for the homeownership in Vietnam include: foreign entities who invest in project-based housing construction in Vietnam as prescribed in this Law and corresponding regulations of law; foreign-invested enterprises, branches, representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign-invested funds and branches of foreign banks operating in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as foreign organization); foreign individuals who are allowed to enter Vietnam.

The foreign entities are eligible for the homeownership in Vietnam if they invest in project-based housing construction in Vietnam as prescribed in this Law and corresponding regulations of law; or buy, rent and purchase, receive, or inherit commercial housing including apartments and separate houses in the project for housing construction, except for areas under management relating to national defense and security as prescribed in regulations of the Government.

Foreign organizations and individuals must have documents proving being the eligible subjects and meeting conditions to own houses in Vietnam. A foreign individual must have an unexpired passport bearing the entry seal of the Vietnam’s immigration authority and not given diplomatic immunity and privileges according to Ordinance on diplomatic immunity and privileges of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and representative authorities of international organizations in Vietnam. Foreign organizations must be subjects of owning houses in Vietnam which have investment registration certificate or a permission issued by a Vietnam’s competent authority for operation in Vietnam which is still unexpired at the time of housing transaction (hereinafter referred to as investment registration certificate).

A foreign entity shall not be granted a Certificate of the house and may only sell or offer it to another entity eligible to own housing in Vietnam in the case being: a foreign organization or individual receives a house as an inheritance or a gift which is located in an area in which foreign entities must not own houses, or the quantity of which exceeds the permissible limits; a foreign organization that does not operate in Vietnam, or a foreign individual who is not permitted to enter Vietnam, receives a house in Vietnam as a gift or an inheritance.

For specific situations, to avoid future dispute in house ownership arisen from the purchase, lease of property, house, land from the state, developer or other seller, or lessor it is important that the client check with property lawyers for eligibility, conditions and other relevant matters.

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers have Attorneys in Hanoi, Attorneys in Ho Chi Minh and Attorneys in Danang.

Nguồn: https://antlawyers.vn/update/how-foreigners-could-buy-real-estate-in-vietnam.html

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Legal Regulations in Purchasing Real Estate in for Foreigners in Vietnam

     Vietnam has become a better place for foreigners to visiting and staying. Many chose Vietnam as home and they come to Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang… to buy real estates for living. Many foreigners consider seeking understanding and with the advisory of their real estate lawyers in Vietnam to purchase the property under their name for best interest protection. There are a number of foreigners seek to cooperate with local Vietnamese under investment agreement to invest in properties. It has always been suggested the buyer or investor to receive legal advice from real estate lawyers and law firms in Vietnam before committing the investment to a certain extent.

According to the Law on housing 2005, foreign organizations and individuals investing in construction of houses for sale and lease in Vietnam have the right to own the houses in Vietnam. However, according to the provisions of the Law on housing 2014, the house owners expand and include foreigners being investors building the houses under investor projects, foreign organizations operating in Vietnam and foreign individuals being allowed to enter Vietnam under the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam; and are not entitled to diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Under the provisions of the Law on housing 2014, foreign organizations and individuals are allowed to own apartments, individual houses (villas and townhouses) in commercial housing projects. The total number of foreign individuals/organizations owned does not exceed 30% of an apartment building or does not exceed 10% or 250 houses of a housing project. Foreign individuals may own houses for up to 50 years and are allowed to extend for no more than 50 years. Foreign organizations own the houses according to the time limit on the Investment Registration Certificate and the extension period. During the time of owning the houses, foreign individuals are allowed to sublease, but foreign organizations are not allowed to sublease the houses.

For foreign individuals/organizations, when buying the houses in Vietnam, it is necessary to have a well drafted sales contract for purchase and sale of the houses because all rights and obligations related to the purchase, sales and ownership of houses are regulated in the contract. Therefore, the buyer should consider the contract carefully, usually with the help of real estate lawyers whom understand Vietnam laws before signing, in order to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

The foreigner when buying and selling the houses, especially off-plan house, need to also pay attention to the regulations on payment schedule in the contract. According to Article 57 of the Law on housing 2015, the payment in the purchase, sales, lease sales of the off-plan real estate in Vietnam is carried out in installments, and the first time must not exceed 30% of the contract value, the next times must be in accordance with the construction schedule, however, not exceeding 50% of the contract value when not handed over when the buyer is an enterprise with foreign investment, not exceeding 70% the value of contract, if the buyer is the foreigner individual the payment is not exceed 50% the value of the contract before handing over the house to the buyer. Until the buyer is issued with a certificate of land use right, ownership of houses and other assets attached to the land, the buyer shall pay no more than 95% the value of contract.

Foreigners in Vietnam need to be assisted to be familiar with the laws relating to the purchase and sale of real estate in order to protect their legitimate rights and interests when participating in transactions in Vietnam. It is important that the foreigners consider using the services of law firm in Vietnam specializing in real estate to advise and help manage the transaction.

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers have Attorneys in Hanoi, Attorneys in Ho Chi Minh and Attorneys in Danang.

Nguồn:https://antlawyers.vn/library/legal-regulations-in-purchasing-real-estate-in-for-foreigners-in-vietnam.html

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Why Client Should Retain Real Estate Lawyers in Vietnam?

 Benefits of retaining a Real Estate Lawyer in Vietnam

Due to changes in law attracting foreigners to come to live, and invest in Vietnam, foreigners have growing interest in investment and acquiring real estate. However, as real estate is valuable assets, the law on real estate ownership and real estate transactions are complicated, especially for foreigners.

Under the land ownership regime in Vietnam, land belongs to the entire people with the State acting as the owner’s representative and uniformly managing land. Hence, in Vietnam, the land users will have the land use right without the private ownership of the land. Land law 2013 does not allow foreigner to have land use rights in Vietnam. It only allows foreign invested enterprises to be permitted to use land through the form of land allocation or lease.

Although foreigner do not have land use rights in Vietnam, they are allowed to own houses in Vietnam under the Law on Housing. In addition, the Law on Real Estate Business has certain limitations for foreign investors to conduct real estate business in Vietnam and must meet the legal requirements.

Foreign investors investing in Vietnam wish to use the land to conduct business activities, or intend to conduct real estate business in Vietnam, or simply a foreigner wishing to purchase and own real estate in Vietnam should be aware of the legal provisions on conditions of implementation, orders and procedures to of the transactions to minimize risks. The assistance of the lawyers on real estate in Vietnam shall be worthwhile.

Real estate lawyers in Vietnam would have in-depth knowledge of the Land Law, Law on Housing, Law on Real Estate Business and related regulations. In addition, they would have practical experience in implementing legal procedures, handling disputes, and supporting real estate transactions in Vietnam. The real estate lawyers could explain the restrictions on land use rights of foreign organizations and individuals in Vietnam and the conditions for conducting business in real estate in Vietnam. The lawyers at request could assist the foreigners with the process and procedures to work with state agencies to obtain land use rights for enterprise and home ownership rights for individual more effectively.

When conducting transactions related to real estate such as buying, selling, transferring, renting, leasing, real estate lawyers could also provide assistance in in legal due diligence of the real estate to minimize legal risk to clients. It is important to evaluate the legal status of the property, the owner of property, whether property is in dispute, or subject to additional requirements of government before being sold by the developer and the people eligible for entering into the transaction. In addition, the lawyers in Vietnam can advise clients to draft or review the agreements, sales contract as well as the process to legalize the process to comply with the law in Vietnam.

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers have Law firm in Hanoi, Law firm in Ho Chi Minh and Law firm in Danang.

Read More

Real Estate Legal Matters in Vietnam

      In general, it is not permitted to own land in Vietnam as a private entity because the land belongs to the people and the State of Vietnam thereby operates as the administrator.

However an ownership of a right to use land is permitted according to Vietnamese Law. This so-called Land Use Right (“LUR”) Certificate provides the means to lease land from the State for Vietnamese and foreign people. This LUR Certificate entitles the land users to protect their legitimate rights and interests. The sale of a house or real estate is in fact the transfer of the rights for house ownership combined with the transfer of the land from the seller. The right to use land can be directly acquired by different ways that are: lease from the state; sub-lease from a developer of a zone; transfer from another land user; allocation from the state. The legal grounds for Land and House Law of Vietnam are stipulated in the Law on Housing 2005 of Vietnam as well as in the Law on Land 2003. The rights and entitlements of holders of house ownership and the holders of the LUR Certificate are settled in this law.

According to Article 12 of the Law on Housing 2005, the name of the individual who holds the house ownership shall be written in the house ownership right certificate and his/her rights are stipulated in Article 21 that include for example the rights to posses; use; sell; lease; donate; exchange; lend or to let other people stay temporarily in the house. As stipulated in Article 106 of the Law on Land 2003, the one who holds the LUR and house ownership certificate is entitled to exercise the full range of rights over the land/house. As such, land use rights and ownership of assets on the land are combined in the Certificate of Land Use Right and House Ownership Right (LURC).

But the possibilities to acquire land or houses depend on the individual/organization that wishes to do so, because Vietnamese, overseas Vietnamese and Foreigners do not have the same rights. Especially for foreigners, it was often quite challenging to acquire land or houses in Vietnam. Before the year of 2009, foreigners could not legally acquire property but only could make a joint venture with a Vietnamese company. But the Resolution No. 19/2008(ND-QH12, effective January 2009, started to entitle foreigners to own houses in Vietnam under the conditions that the foreigner 1) is hired by an enterprise that currently operates in Vietnam and 2) must have at least a temporary residence card to purchase and own an apartment unit in Vietnam. This five-year piloting program that would end in 2014 is now discussed by the Vietnamese Prime Minister to continue this program after the first five years to support the real estate market and to make it more attractive for foreigners.

Even though about 80,000 expats live and work in Vietnam, only more than 400 cases of foreigners buying houses in Vietnam could be registered. Of course, this might be due to the difficulties for foreigners to buy houses before this pilot program . But this Resolution No. 19, which was guided by Decree No. 51/2009/ND-CP, still does not make it easy to operate in the real estate market in Vietnam for foreigners because of the complicated procedures to register ownership. After the first 5 years, the government stated to have the plan to review the pilot policy and the Ministry of Construction also opened up for the idea to allow foreigners to buy houses no matter if they work and do business here or if they want to buy real estates in Vietnam.

As the Vietnam’s real estate situation seems to stand before a turning point, it is necessary to keep up to date with all legal changes and developments. Due to the fact that Vietnamese law has special provisions for every organization or individual who wishes to operate with land and real estates related to House Law, it is inevitable to know about this legal circumstances in Vietnam.

ANT Lawyers could assist in different land and house related projects and matters such as land ownership, house purchase or sale and is aware of the differences between provisions on house law for foreigners and Vietnamese. Our professionals could advise clients about possibilities and potential risks concerning real estate laws, housing laws in Vietnam and furthermore could support clients with required procedures with the Vietnamese authorities.

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers have Attorneys in Hanoi, Attorneys in Ho Chi Minh and Attorneys in Danang.

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Foreigner Can Buy House in Vietnam

 As investment in properties oversea is a big decision, it is suggested the investor consult with real estate lawyer in Vietnam to help checking the eligibility of the developer, the construction permits and other legal documents granted for the project. It is important to review the transaction documents in regard to deposit agreement, sales agreements and other agreements the developer might propose to ensure the protection of rights, to minimize risks and ensure compliance.

On November 25th, 2014, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has approved the Housing Act 2014. One of the most prominent new changes is that a foreigner is entitled to purchase a house in Vietnam.

Foreign objects (organization and foreign individual) can own houses in Vietnam are:

• Overseas organizations and individuals investing in housing construction under projects in Vietnam according to the provisions of the Housing Law and related legal documents;
• Enterprises with foreign investment capital, branch or representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign investment funds and foreign bank branches are operating in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as foreign organizations);
• Foreign citizens are allowed to enter Vietnam.

Form of ownership housing foreigner in Vietnam:

• Investment in housing construction under the project in Vietnam according to the provisions of the Housing Law and related legislation;
• Purchasing, leasing, donation or inheritance of commercial housing includes apartments and individual houses in the investment projects of housing construction (Except for housing projects in the area of ensuring national defense and security as stipulated by the Government of Vietnam).

Condition, right and obligation of foreigner when buy house in Vietnam:

For individuals or organizations investing in housing construction under a project in Vietnam when seeking to own houses in Vietnam they must satisfy the following conditions:

• Have an investment certificate
• Have housing projects that are built in the project in accordance with the law on housing

For foreign organizations or enterprises with foreign investment capital, branch or representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign investment funds and foreign bank branches operating in Vietnam, when seeking to buy a house in Vietnam they must satisfy the following conditions:

• Have investment certificates or documents relating to the permit to operate in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as investment certificate) issued by the competent State agencies of Vietnam.

For foreign individuals buying a house in Vietnam:

• Allowed to enter Vietnam and are not entitled to the privileges and immunities of diplomatic and consular as stipulated by law.

For foreign organizations or enterprises with foreign investment capital, branch or representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign investment funds and foreign bank branches operating in Vietnam and individual foreigners seeking to buy a house in Vietnam, they can own a house in Vietnam when:

• Buy, lease, donate, inherit and own, to not exceed 30% of the apartments in an apartment building; if the houses are individual houses including villas, semi-detached houses and located in an area with a population equivalent to ward-level administrative, the allowed units that foreigners are permitted to buy, lease, donate, inherit and own must not exceed two hundred and fifty houses;
• For foreign individuals, they shall be entitled to own a house as agreed in the contract of sale, lease, donate or inherit housing but not exceeding a term of 50 years from the date of issuance of the certificate of ownership and it can be extended according to the provisions of the Government if required; the housing ownership period must also be specified in the certificate;
• In the case of foreign individuals married to a citizen of Vietnam or married to a Vietnam citizen settled in a foreign country, they can own the houses for a long and stable term. They also have owner’s rights like a Vietnam citizen;
• For foreign organizations, they shall be entitled to own a house as agreed in the contract of sale, lease, donate or inherit the house but not exceed the term specified in the certificate of ownership, including the extended time. The housing ownership period is calculated from the date of receipt of the certificate of ownership and specified in the certificate.

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Five types of real estate contracts abolished mandatory notarization procedure

      According to the regulation of Civil Code 2015, some of the transactions which are required to implement the process of notarization and registration according to the regulation of the laws. As real estate transactions are normally at high value, the process of notarization and registration would help parties involved to be protected from falsified transactions.

As the stipulated in the Real estate trading 2014, the real estate trading agreement must be made in writing. The agreement notarizing or authenticating shall be discussed by contracting parties. However, the real estate trading agreement in which on building sale or lease purchase agreements or land transfer agreements concluded by households and individuals who conduct small-scale or irregular transactions of real estate sale, transfer, lease-out, and lease purchase shall not be required to set up enterprises, but they shall make tax declaration as prescribed need to be implemented the mandatory notarization procedure.

The procedure and dossier for notarization the real estate agreement will be implement according to the regulations of Law on notarization 2014.

Our real estate lawyers in Vietnam recommend client to have house leasing contracts voluntarily notarized to better protect their interests in disputes or any future issues.

For more information or legal advice in real estate transactions, we are glad to assist. ANT Lawyers, your lawyers in Vietnam

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New Vietnam Real Estate draft law giving more rights to foreigners in Vietnam

     ANT Lawyers’ real estate legal practice gives client legal advice on real estate legal matters in Vietnam. We are keeping track with changes in the Vietnam legal environment to ensure giving our client the best advice.

Real estate market in Vietnam is experiencing a difficult time. The government has realized that there is a huge demand from the foreigners and oversea Vietnamese investing in Vietnam in owning real estate in Vietnam however the legal regulations on such matter have not yet encouraged them to make the investment.

The Vietnam Ministry of Construction has enacted the fifth Draft of Law on Real Estate Business (amending), which regulates two new noteworthy provisions relating to the scope of real estate business of foreigners and Vietnamese overseas.

While the current regulations in Law on Real Estate 2006 only allow the foreign and oversea Vietnamese organizations, individuals to establish houses, construction works for sale, lease, lease-buy; to invest, reclaim land and set up facilities on the leased land for leasing. The new Draft of Law on Real Estate expands the scope to i) rent houses, construction works in order to sub-lease; ii) foreign and oversea Vietnamese organizations or individuals operating in real estate area, foreign invested capital enterprises, branches, representatives of foreign enterprises, investment funds, branches of foreign banks currently operating in Vietnam are also permitted to rent, buy and own the office areas for their own work or for lease; to buy, rent, lease-buy houses according to Vietnam law on houses.

Our real estate lawyers in Vietnam have experience in the field of real estate and we have solutions for our client based on client’s unique situation.

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What Are Rights and Obligations of Foreigners Owning Properties in Vietnam?

  According to the current Vietnamese law, the ownership of houses in Vietnam by foreigners has changed significantly towards more openness. However, home ownership of foreigners and Vietnamese citizens are still different.

Foreign house ownership is allowed in commercial housing construction projects only (i.e., only in newly formed residential areas), not an area of national defense and security purpose. In case of house donation or inheritance of house not subject to this regulation, the foreigner only receives the value of that house.

The foreigners combined may not buy, rent and purchase, receive, inherit and own more than 30% of apartments in an apartment building; or not more than 250 houses of separate houses including villas, row houses in an area whose population is equivalent to a ward-administrative division

In an area whose population is equivalent to that of a ward, if there is a commercial housing construction project for sale or lease-purchase, the quantity of detached houses that may be owned by foreigner is specified below: where the quantity of detached houses of an project is fewer than 2,500, foreigner may own up to 10% of the houses of such project; where there is only one project whose quantity of detached houses is equivalent to 2,500 houses, foreigners may own up to 250 houses of them; where there are two or more projects where the total quantity of detached houses does not exceed 2,500 houses, foreigners may own up to 10% of the houses of each project. In case a house is donated or inherited in excess of the number of houses under this regulation, only the value of that house is entitled.

The foreigners are eligible for the homeownership as agreed in agreements on housing sale, lease purchase, gifting, or inheritance for not more than 50 years from the date of issuance of the Certificate and have can be extended further according to the Government’s regulations if the need arises; house ownership period must be specified in the Certificate.

In case a foreign individual marries a Vietnamese citizen or an overseas Vietnamese, he/she can own a stable, long-term house and has the same rights as a Vietnamese citizen.

The foreign organization are eligible for the homeownership as agreed in agreements on housing sale, lease purchase, gifting, or inheritance for not longer than duration stated in their Certificate of investment, including extension duration, the duration of the homeownership shall be determined from the day on which the organization is granted the Certificate and stated in such Certificate.

In addition, foreign organizations and foreign individuals permitted to enter Vietnam have the same obligations as Vietnamese citizens but must comply with the following provisions:

If the homeowner is a foreign individual, he/she is entitled to lease house for lawful purposes provided that he/she notifies the agency of district in charge of housing where the house is located of housing lease as prescribed in regulations of the Minister of Construction and pays taxes on housing lease as prescribed before leasing houses. If a foreign individual gets married to a Vietnamese citizen or an oversea Vietnamese, he/she qualifies for stable and long-term homeownership and has all rights of homeowner similarly to Vietnamese citizens.

If the homeowner is a foreign organization, its house is/are only provided for their employees but it is not allowed to use their house for lease, offices, or other purposes.

The above are provisions on rights and obligations of foreign organizations and individuals when owning properties in Vietnam. For specific matters, please consult with property, real estate lawyers for legal advice for the property transaction from deposit agreement, house sales and purchase agreement, and registration of ownership with authorities for certificate of land use right, or house ownership certificate of to avoid property disputes in Vietnam, where the house ownership, land use rights are restricted for foreigners.

We help clients overcome cultural barriers and achieve their strategic and financial outcomes, while ensuring the best interest rate protection, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. ANT lawyers have Attorneys in Hanoi, Attorneys in Ho Chi Minh and Attorneys in Danang.

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