Vietnam Introduces Apostille Certification for Vietnamese Public Documents

July 24, 2026

Vietnam has issued new regulations guiding the implementation of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, which removes the requirement for legalization of foreign public documents through the Apostille system.

Under Decree No. 293/2026/NĐ-CP dated July 23, 2026, Vietnam establishes procedures, authorities and processes for issuing Apostille certificates for Vietnamese public documents, as well as the recognition and use of Apostille-certified documents from member countries in Vietnam.

What is an Apostille Certificate?

An Apostille certificate confirms the origin of a public document by verifying:

• The authenticity of the signature on the document
• The position and authority of the person signing the document
• The seal or stamp attached to the document (if applicable)

An Apostille certificate does not verify the content or accuracy of the document. It only confirms the validity of the official signature, authority and certification details.

Documents Eligible for Apostille Certification in Vietnam

Under the new regulations, Vietnamese public documents eligible for Apostille certification include:

• Documents issued or certified by competent authorities or individuals in judicial and enforcement activities
• Administrative documents issued or certified by authorized agencies, organizations or individuals
• Notarized documents in accordance with Vietnamese notarization regulations
• Authenticated documents certified by competent authorities, organizations or individuals

These documents may be used for international purposes between Vietnam and countries that apply the Apostille Convention with Vietnam.

Apostille Application Process

Individuals, organizations and agencies may request Apostille certification for their own documents or documents belonging to another person.

No authorization document is required when submitting a request on behalf of another person. However, the applicant remains responsible for the legality of the submitted documents and must comply with Vietnamese regulations on personal data protection and related legal requirements.

Competent Authority for Apostille Certification in Vietnam

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam is designated as the competent authority responsible for issuing Apostille certificates in Vietnam.

The Ministry will further determine the specific agencies responsible for processing Apostille certification requests.

Impact on International Mobility and Business Activities

The introduction of the Apostille system is expected to simplify the process of using Vietnamese public documents overseas and receiving foreign public documents in Vietnam.

For individuals, this may support smoother procedures related to:

• International relocation
• Work authorization and immigration applications
• Overseas study
• Marriage and family-related documentation
• Personal legal procedures

For businesses, the new framework may help streamline documentation processes related to:

• Foreign employees
• Corporate expansion
• Cross-border transactions
• International compliance requirements

Jardeon Group continues to monitor regulatory developments affecting international mobility, compliance and cross-border activities in Vietnam.

Need support with document preparation, immigration procedures or international mobility requirements in Vietnam? Contact Jardeon Group for professional guidance.