Document Notarization Costs and Fees in Vietnam: A Detailed Breakdown for 2026

How notarization fees are set in Vietnam

The cost of notarizing a document in Vietnam has two components that are regulated very differently. The first is the notarization fee (phí công chứng): a statutory fee whose rates are set by the Ministry of Finance and apply uniformly nationwide, currently under Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC as amended by Circular 111/2017/TT-BTC. The same rates apply at state notary offices (Phòng công chứng) and private notary offices (Văn phòng công chứng); provinces do not set their own notarization fees. The second is the notarial remuneration (thù lao công chứng) for ancillary work such as drafting the contract, typing, copying or translating. Each notary practice sets its own remuneration, which must be posted publicly at its premises and may not exceed the ceiling issued by the provincial People's Committee.

So where costs differ between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces, the difference lies in remuneration and third-party costs, not in the notarization fee itself. Notarial practice is now governed by the Law on Notarization 2024, in force since 1 July 2025. For foreigners and businesses with cross-border transactions, costs add up mainly because many documents need translation, notarization and certification for use abroad.

Fees for contracts and transactions calculated on value

For contracts with a value — transfers, gifts or capital contributions of land use rights or other assets, sale and purchase of assets, mortgages, loans, agreements dividing an estate or declarations accepting an inheritance — the fee is calculated on the value of the asset or of the contract:

• Under VND 50 million: VND 50,000.
• VND 50 million to VND 100 million: VND 100,000.
• Over VND 100 million to VND 1 billion: 0.1% of the value.
• Over VND 1 billion to VND 3 billion: VND 1 million + 0.06% of the amount above VND 1 billion.
• Over VND 3 billion to VND 5 billion: VND 2.2 million + 0.05% of the amount above VND 3 billion.
• Over VND 5 billion to VND 10 billion: VND 3.2 million + 0.04% of the amount above VND 5 billion.
• Over VND 10 billion to VND 100 billion: VND 5.2 million + 0.03% of the amount above VND 10 billion.
• Over VND 100 billion: VND 32.2 million + 0.02% of the amount above VND 100 billion, capped at VND 70 million per case.

Example: notarizing the purchase of an apartment priced at VND 4 billion costs VND 2.2 million + 0.05% × VND 1 billion = VND 2.7 million. For transfers and gifts of land use rights or houses, the base is the price agreed in the contract; if that price is lower than the price set by the competent state authority, the state price is used. Leases of land use rights or houses follow a separate, lower scale calculated on the total rent.

Some acts carry a flat fee regardless of value: a contract of authorisation (hợp đồng ủy quyền) VND 50,000; a unilateral power of attorney (giấy ủy quyền) VND 20,000; a will VND 50,000; an amendment or supplement to a contract that does not increase its value VND 40,000; cancellation of a contract or transaction VND 25,000. Notary practices must display the fee schedule, so you can check it before signing.

Translations, certified copies and signature certification

Notarizing a translation costs VND 10,000 per page for the first copy, with lower rates and a per-copy maximum for further copies. Certifying a copy against the original costs VND 2,000 per page for the first two pages and VND 1,000 per page from the third page, up to VND 200,000 per copy; certifying a signature costs VND 10,000 per case. The larger cost is usually the translator's fee, which depends on the language pair, technical difficulty and length and is set by each translation provider at market rates.

Note that Vietnamese notarial practice does not use common-law categories such as "acknowledgment", "jurat", "witnessing" or "affidavit". The actual categories are: notarization of contracts and transactions; notarization of translations; certification of copies against originals; and certification of signatures. When comparing with practice at home, map your document to one of these four.

Costs beyond the notarization fee

Budget separately for: remuneration for drafting if the notary practice prepares the contract; copying and typing; translation; and notarization outside the office — which the law permits only in specific situations such as old age, illness, inability to travel or detention — where travel costs may be charged by agreement. Ask the notary practice to confirm all charges in writing before you start.

If a notarized document is to be used abroad: since 11 September 2026 Vietnam applies the Hague Apostille Convention, so for member states that accept Vietnam's accession, notarized documents and certified signatures or copies need only an Apostille issued by the Consular Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs instead of consular certification and legalisation. For countries where the Convention does not yet apply with Vietnam — including Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, which objected to Vietnam's accession — consular legalisation is still required. Conversely, foreign public documents bearing an Apostille can be used in Vietnam without consular legalisation, but they must still be translated into Vietnamese and the translation notarized or certified. Each step has its own fee, plus courier costs if documents are sent abroad.

Processing time

Under the Law on Notarization 2024, notarization must be completed within 2 working days; for contracts or transactions with complex content the period may be extended but not beyond 10 working days, counted from receipt of a complete and valid file. Simple matters such as notarizing a translation or certifying a copy are usually done the same day. Some notary practices work outside office hours or at weekends; ask in advance about the remuneration for this, as it is not part of the statutory fee.

Keeping costs down

Planning ahead is the most effective saving: bring complete originals, bring your own copies and combine several matters in one visit to avoid repeat trips and rush charges. If you provide a properly prepared draft contract (or have your lawyer draft it), drafting remuneration can be reduced.

Because the notarization fee is identical everywhere, comparison between notary practices should focus on remuneration, turnaround and foreign-language support. Businesses that notarize frequently can work with one notary practice for faster service, but should still ask for remuneration quotes in writing.

Payment and receipts

Notary practices collect fees in Vietnamese dong, in cash or by bank transfer, and must issue a fee receipt and an invoice for remuneration. Businesses should ask for itemised documents for their accounting. For large transactions or complex files, agree any advance payment before work begins.

Quick Q&A

Do notarization fees differ between provinces in Vietnam?

No. The notarization fee is set nationally by the Ministry of Finance (Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC, as amended by Circular 111/2017/TT-BTC). Only the remuneration for ancillary services varies, within a ceiling set by each provincial People's Committee.

How much does it cost to notarize a property purchase?

It depends on value: for example, VND 2.7 million for a VND 4 billion apartment. The fee is capped at VND 70 million per case for the largest transactions.

How much is a power of attorney?

VND 50,000 for a contract of authorisation and VND 20,000 for a unilateral power of attorney, plus any drafting or translation remuneration.

Do foreign documents with an Apostille still need consular legalisation?

Not since 11 September 2026, if the issuing country applies the Apostille Convention with Vietnam (Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic currently do not). A certified Vietnamese translation is still required.