Why Vietnam still requires dual legalization
Vietnam signed the 1961 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations but has not acceded to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. As of June 2026, Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to require full consular legalization for all foreign public documents — meaning Thai-origin documents must pass through MFA Bangkok AND the Vietnamese Embassy Bangkok before they are accepted by Vietnamese authorities (Immigration, MOLISA, DPI, courts, universities).
Vietnam has been studying Hague accession since 2018 but cited concerns about document verification infrastructure + the volume of unverified academic credentials from neighboring countries. Industry expectation is Vietnam may accede 2027-2028 once the e-Apostille verification system is rolled out nationally. Until then, Thai applicants must budget +THB 1,500 + 7-10 working days per document for the additional embassy consular step versus Malaysia/Singapore corridors.
The 4-step Thai→Vietnam legalization chain
Step 1: Translation. Original Thai document (birth cert, degree, marriage cert) is translated into English by an MOJ-listed Thai translator. Vietnamese-language translation is preferred but English is universally accepted by Vietnamese government. THB 800-1,500 per document.
Step 2: Thai Notary Public certifies translator's signature + copy authenticity. THB 1,000-1,500 per document including affidavit if required.
Step 3: MFA Bangkok Department of Consular Affairs legalizes the notary's signature + document. Fee THB 200/page (standard 2 working days) or THB 800/page (express same day). MFA stamps original + translation as a bound set.
Step 4: Vietnamese Embassy Bangkok (83/1 Wireless Road, Pathum Wan) consular legalization. Fee USD 25-40 per document (paid THB cash equivalent), processing 5-7 working days standard or 2 days express (+50% fee). Walk-in submission Mon-Fri 08:30-11:30, collection Mon-Fri 14:00-16:30. Total chain 10-14 working days + THB 3,000-5,000 per document.
Work Permit + TRC for Thai professionals
Vietnam Work Permit (Giấy Phép Lao Động) is issued by Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) at provincial level (HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, Binh Duong each have separate offices). Eligibility: foreigner aged 18+, university degree OR 5-year specialized experience, 3+ year experience letter from prior employer in same field, criminal record clearance, health certificate from MOH-approved hospital, employer must demonstrate inability to hire qualified Vietnamese national for the role.
Apostille-equivalent requirements: degree + experience letter + criminal record must be Thai MFA + Vietnamese Embassy Bangkok dual-legalized. Health certificate must be from Vietnamese MOH-approved hospital list (cannot use Thai hospital certificate — must redo health check in Vietnam at Cho Ray HCMC, Bach Mai Hanoi, or other approved facilities). Work Permit fee 600,000 VND (~THB 850), processing 10-15 working days at DOLISA.
Temporary Residence Card (TRC, Thẻ Tạm Trú) issued by Immigration Department under Work Permit basis: 2-year validity matching Work Permit cycle. Investor TRC (Doanh Nghiệp category) for foreign capital contribution VND 3 billion+ (~THB 4.3M): 5-year validity, family dependents eligible, conversion pathway to Permanent Residence after 3 years.
5-year visa exemption + Golden Visa proposal
Vietnam launched a 5-year multi-entry visa for select nationalities (DN5 — investor category, LD5 — labor category) effective August 2023 under Resolution 127/NQ-CP. Maximum stay per entry 90 days, requires exit + re-entry every 90 days, no Vietnam residency obligation. Eligibility for Thai applicants: investor with VND 3B+ Vietnamese company capital contribution (DN5) OR Vietnamese employer-sponsored long-term contract (LD5). Fee USD 155, application via Vietnamese Embassy Bangkok or online via evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
Vietnam Golden Visa (Visa Vàng) — proposed 5-10 year residence permit announced March 2025 with implementing regulations expected 2026. Eligibility threshold proposed at VND 10 billion+ (~THB 14M) Vietnamese real estate investment OR VND 5 billion+ government bonds OR VND 3 billion+ qualified business investment. NYC monitors Golden Visa legislation weekly — once enacted we will publish a dedicated corridor guide and prepare document packs.
NYC Vietnam corridor packages
Single-document dual legalization (TH→Vietnam): THB 6,500 covering translation + Thai notary + MFA Bangkok + Vietnamese Embassy Bangkok + DHL HCMC/Hanoi. Work Permit Pack: THB 22,500 covering degree + experience letters + Royal Thai Police clearance dual-legalization + DOLISA submission liaison + Vietnamese health check coordination. Investor TRC Pack (DN5): THB 35,000 covering corporate documents dual-legalization + DPI investment registration + Immigration TRC submission. Marriage Corridor Pack: THB 18,500 covering marriage + single-status + birth cert dual-legalization for People's Committee registration in HCMC/Hanoi. Business Setup Pack (LLC): THB 48,000 covering corporate Apostille substitute (dual-legalized) + DPI Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) + Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) + tax + bank account introduction.