Consular
Legalization
Of Foreign Documents
Foreign papers and documents must undergo consular legalization before they can be recognized and used in Vietnam — from company registration and investment to work permits.
Pursuant to Decree No. 111/2011/ND-CP and the implementing Circular No. 01/2012/TT-BNG.
(Carried out within Vietnam)
(Carried out abroad)
We determine whether a document is eligible for consular legalization; check for any exemptions; and advise on the appropriate procedure for each type of document and issuing country.
We review documents before submission — catching issues early, such as photocopied seals, inconsistent details, or missing foreign consular authentication — to avoid rejection and rework.
We provide translation into Vietnamese or English meeting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' standards — by translators with legal expertise.
We submit the file on your behalf at the Consular Department (Hanoi) or the HCMC Department of External Relations; track progress and handle any requests for supplementation from the processing authority.
We advise on and assist with the procedure at Vietnamese representative missions abroad — with country-specific guidance and files prepared to each embassy's requirements.
We guide you in using the legalized document in subsequent filings — company registration, investment, work permits — ensuring correct procedure from start to finish.
This fee is paid to the Consular Department (Hanoi) or the Department of External Relations (HCMC).
| Item | Fee (VND) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular authentication | VND 30,000 / copy | Certifying the seal and signature on Vietnamese documents for use abroad. |
| Consular legalization | VND 30,000 / copy | Certifying foreign documents for use in Vietnam. |
| Issuing a certified copy | VND 5,000 / copy | Where a true copy is needed from the consular authority. |
Because the process is complex (passing through several authorities), service providers usually quote an all-inclusive price based on the number of stamps (seals) required.
| Number of documents | Rate in HCMC (VND / stamp) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 3 stamps | VND 450,000 – 500,000 | Travel costs, queuing to submit the file, and state fees. |
| 4 – 10 stamps | VND 350,000 – 450,000 | Discounted rate for higher volumes. |
| Foreign embassy | VND 2,500,000 – 4,500,000 | Depending on the country (embassies/consulates set their own fees in USD/EUR). |
Consular authentication is the reverse procedure — a competent Vietnamese authority certifies a Vietnamese document for use abroad. Consular legalization, by contrast, is where a Vietnamese authority certifies a foreign document for use in Vietnam. Both certify the seal, signature, and title — not the content of the document.
Documents from states party to the 1961 Hague Convention (Apostille) may be exempt from consular legalization under the international-treaty principle. However, you need to check whether both Vietnam and the issuing country are members and apply the principle of reciprocity. VLIC can advise on a country-by-country basis.
In HCMC, you submit your file at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations — the body authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle consular legalization in the south. In Hanoi, you submit at the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both can also receive files by post.
You first need to identify the specific reason for refusal — usually a photocopied seal/signature, missing foreign consular authentication, or inconsistent details in the file. Once the cause is identified, you must obtain a properly authenticated original from the foreign authority and re-submit from the start. VLIC helps review the file and guides you through the entire rework process.
It depends on the receiving authority's requirements. Consular legalization only certifies the seal and signature — it does not cover the document's content. So if the receiving authority (such as the Department of Planning and Investment or the work-permit licensing body) requires a notarized translation, you still need a separate notarized translation step in Vietnam. VLIC supports this step too.
