Nationwide Real Estate Notarization Could Save Vietnamese Residents Time and Travel Costs

A Hanoi resident could handle the notarization of a property transaction in Ho Chi Minh City without traveling thousands of kilometers if a proposed reform takes effect. Vietnam’s Justice Ministry has proposed that, from July 1, 2028, notaries be allowed to certify real estate transactions anywhere in the country.

The proposal would overturn the current rule, which generally limits notaries to transactions involving property in the province or municipality where their professional organization is based. The ministry says the new date is tied to the planned use and interconnection of databases covering housing and the real estate market, the national information system, the national land database and notarization records.

Notary Đào Duy An of Hanoi said that once the databases are complete and nationwide, there would be “no reason to maintain notarization according to administrative boundaries.” He said the change would save residents time and travel costs. Someone living in Hanoi with property in Ho Chi Minh City could complete the transaction locally instead of traveling south.

The reform could also expand access to notarial services in remote areas, as notaries would be able to handle transactions regardless of provincial boundaries. Lawyer Trịnh Văn Tuyến of the Hanoi Bar Association said residents could choose a trusted notarial organization without being constrained by the property’s location. He added that the proposal could encourage healthy competition, giving stronger opportunities to organizations known for reliability and quality.

The article also links the proposal to guidance from Vietnam’s Supreme People’s Court in Official Letter No. 250/2026. For disputes involving land-use transfer contracts, jurisdiction belongs to the court where the contract was carried out, while disputes concerning the property itself belong to the court where the property is located.

“

There is no reason to maintain notarization according to administrative boundaries.