What foreigners should know when renting a house in Vietnam

1. Legal residency conditions
Tenants must be at least 18 years old, have full civil capacity, and enter Vietnam legally. Under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners (2014, amended 2019), foreigners can only reside legally with a valid visa or residence permit. Certain areas are restricted or prohibited for foreign residency for national security reasons.

2. Legality of the landlord and property
Carefully check ownership documents such as the Land Use Rights Certificate, house ownership papers, and the landlord’s ID or business license. If the landlord lacks legal rights or the property is not eligible for rental, the contract may be void, forcing the tenant to leave earlier than planned.

3. Written rental contract
A rental agreement must be in writing. Notarization is not compulsory, but tenants are advised to request a bilingual contract (Vietnamese and English or another language) to fully understand the terms. Having a lawyer or legal consultant review the contract helps protect tenant rights.

4. Temporary residence registration
Foreign tenants must register temporary residence, which is done through the landlord. It is important to agree in advance with the landlord about this responsibility to avoid legal issues.

5. Validity of personal residence documents
Foreigners should keep track of the validity of their visas, temporary residence cards, or other immigration papers to ensure that rental agreements remain valid throughout their stay.

In short, foreigners renting a house in Vietnam should secure legal entry, check the property’s legality, insist on a clear written contract, ensure temporary residence registration, and maintain valid immigration documents.