Vietnam is not a Hague Convention member — apostille not recognized. Foreign documents for Vietnam need: home country authentication → Vietnamese Embassy legalization → Vietnamese translation.
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What country issued your document?
Vietnam has not joined the Hague Convention. Unlike neighboring China (which joined in 2023), Vietnam still requires full Embassy legalization for all incoming foreign documents. An apostilled document from the US or UK must still be legalized at the Vietnamese Embassy before it is recognized in Vietnam.
Foreign nationals need legalized credentials for Vietnamese work permit applications. Vietnam's Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) requires consular-legalized educational and professional certificates.
Foreigners marrying Vietnamese nationals need legalized personal status documents for Vietnamese civil registry registration. Vietnamese authorities require Embassy-legalized and Vietnamese-translated foreign documents.
Foreign companies registering in Vietnam need legalized corporate documents. Vietnam's Department of Planning and Investment requires Embassy-legalized foreign corporate documents.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original foreign document | Your home country issuing authority | Before process starts | Vietnam is NOT a Hague Convention member. Apostille is not recognized in Vietnam. Full consular legalization required for all foreign documents used in Vietnam. |
| Home country authentication | Apostille authority (Hague countries) or MOFA (non-Hague) | Varies by country | First step — home country certification before Vietnamese Embassy submission. |
| Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate legalization | Embassy of Vietnam in your home country | 5–15 business days | Final legalization by the Vietnamese Embassy. Vietnam has embassies in Washington DC, London, Paris, and other major cities. |
| Vietnamese translation (if document is not in Vietnamese) | Certified translator (Vietnamese) | 3–5 business days | Vietnamese authorities require certified Vietnamese translation for most foreign documents. |
We confirm your home country authentication route and the Vietnamese Embassy legalization requirements for your Vietnam purpose.
We obtain apostille (Hague countries) or MOFA attestation (non-Hague countries) in your home country.
We submit to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your home country for legalization.
Certified Vietnamese translation is arranged. Complete document set delivered ready for Vietnam.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
No. Vietnam has not ratified the Hague Apostille Convention. Foreign documents for use in Vietnam cannot be authenticated with apostille alone — they require legalization through the Vietnamese Embassy in the country of issue.
Yes. Vietnamese authorities require certified Vietnamese translation of all foreign-language documents. Translation must be by a qualified translator and is separate from the legalization process.
Home country authentication: 1–3 weeks. Vietnamese Embassy: 5–15 business days. Vietnamese translation: 3–5 days. Total: approximately 3–5 weeks.
Vietnamese work permits require: (1) educational degree (highest level) — Embassy legalized + Vietnamese translated, (2) professional certificate (if applicable) — Embassy legalized, (3) health certificate issued in Vietnam, (4) clean background check — Embassy legalized. We specialize in comprehensive work permit document packages for Vietnam.
Vietnam has embassies in Washington DC, London, Paris, Berlin, Sydney, and major cities worldwide. We identify the Vietnamese consular office in your location and manage the submission.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.