Vietnam
Renting & Tenant Rights
Last verified August 15, 2026
Written for U.S. passport holders
Deposit Rules
- There's no single national cap on the deposit amount; it's set by the lease agreement itself, though it's meant to cover unpaid rent or damage and be returned (minus deductions) at the end of the lease.
- Lease agreements aren't required to be notarized in most cases, but notarizing one is commonly recommended to reduce legal risk, since an unnotarized private agreement can be harder to enforce.
Mandatory Residence Registration
- Whoever manages your accommodation (your landlord, or the property manager) is legally required to declare your temporary residence to the local Commune/Ward Police, generally within 12 hours of you moving in (up to 24 hours in remote or isolated areas).
- This can be done online through the provincial Immigration Division's portal or the Ministry of Public Security's public service portal, or in person at the local police station.
The Gotcha
This isn't a landlord courtesy, it's a legal requirement tied to Vietnam's residence-declaration system, and it applies within hours of you moving in, not weeks. If you're renting privately (not through a hotel, which handles this automatically), confirm your landlord has actually filed the declaration, since it's their legal responsibility, not yours, but you're the one who can face problems with authorities if it wasn't done.
Sources
This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.
- Guidance on Declaration of Foreigners' Temporary Residence in Vietnam (Vietnam Immigration Department)