Job Discussion Forums

[Gregor]

This is just pie in the sky, but I thought I'd ask and see what anyone knows.
First off, can an American OR a Chinese national own a home in Vietnam? I'm American. My wife is Chinese. I don't want to live in America; she doesn't want to live in China.

Second, I'm going to be in Vietnam on a work permit. Can my Chinese wife work as well? At anything at all (teaching Chinese, perhaps? Or catering? Or massage therapy?).

I just want to see what anyone knows about any of this.

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

No, unless your wife can produce proof of Vietnamese ancestry You can rent but that's it, though the situation may change when Vietnam foolishly joins the WTO...

[spycatcher reincarnated]

The simple answer is "No".

I believe Overseas Vietnamese can some how own property, but don't think this is easy.

I believe that as part of a divorce settlement a foreigner can be awarded property in their name, however, even if the court awards this to you it can be very difficult to actually get your exspouse to cough up if the don't want to.

I believe that some fancy expat developments have "clubs" where you can buy a share in the club and this club owns various freeholds.

A number of apartment buildings in HCM City and Hanoi have the right to sell long leases to foreigners. These are usually 30 years in duration. If the foreigner decides to sell the leasehold before the termination of the lease then they should sell it to a Vietnamese national who can then get given the freehold. So in effect this long lease is not very different to actually owning the freehold. Many foreigners are doing this.

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Yes, overseas Vietnamese can own property, provided they or a blood relative can produce proof of Communist Party membership.

[spycatcher reincarnated]

Here is an update on Viet Kieu's owning property in Vietnam:

http://www.thanhniennews.com/commentaries/?catid=11&newsid=17067