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Last updated: 12 June 2026
Quick answer: Foreigners in Nha Trang can get English-language legal help with visas, work permits, property purchases, business set-up, and family matters. Since 1 July 2025, Ninh Thuan has merged into Khanh Hoa province (Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15), district offices have closed, and ward-level People’s Committees and regional courts now handle most filings.
If you live, work, invest, or have family in Nha Trang, a good lawyer is the difference between a smooth process and weeks of confusion at the wrong office. The rules that matter to foreigners changed sharply on 1 July 2025, when Vietnam reorganised its provinces and courts. This guide explains, in plain English, what a lawyer in Nha Trang can do for you across three areas — immigration and work, property and investment, and marriage and family — and where each procedure is now handled in Khanh Hoa. It is written for foreign residents, investors, and international couples.
Have a specific situation?
If you need legal guidance for your own case, you can speak with an English-friendly lawyer at Nam Son Law Firm’s Khanh Hoa office before you file anything.
📞 0932 263 419 (foreign clients) | 💬 Zalo
Comprehensive Legal Services in Nha Trang
Quick answer: Most foreigners in Nha Trang need help in three areas — immigration and labour (visas, work permits, residence cards), property and investment (buying a home, registering a company), and family law (marriage, divorce, custody with a foreign element). A local lawyer files in the correct Khanh Hoa office and prepares documents in line with current law.
“Comprehensive” here means one firm can handle the connected problems a foreigner usually faces at the same time. A teacher who marries a Vietnamese partner may also need a work permit and a residence card. An investor buying an apartment may also need an Investment Registration Certificate. Handling these separately wastes time and risks inconsistent paperwork.
Vietnamese law is a layered system. A single question often touches a Law passed by the National Assembly, a Decree from the Government, and a Circular from a ministry. For example, foreign home ownership runs through the Law on Housing 2023 (Law No. 27/2023/QH15), the Law on Land 2024 (Law No. 31/2024/QH15), and Decree No. 95/2024/NĐ-CP. A lawyer’s job is to connect these correctly for your facts.
A good lawyer also knows the local office. After 1 July 2025 the district level was abolished, so the front desk you used last year may no longer exist. Filing at the wrong authority is now one of the most common reasons foreigners lose weeks.
Demand is real and growing. The Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that the province’s accommodation establishments served about 817,000 visitors in October 2025, of which an estimated 461,000 were international — a 28% year-on-year increase. Across the first ten months of 2025, Khanh Hoa recorded 14.8 million stays, including roughly 4.6 million international visitors. Many later need residence, property, or family-law help.
What changed for foreigners in Khanh Hoa in 2025?
Quick answer: On 1 July 2025, Ninh Thuan merged into Khanh Hoa (Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15), districts were abolished, and a two-tier government took over. Ward and commune People’s Committees now handle civil registration, regional courts (TAND khu vuc) replace district courts, and provincial departments were reorganised — So Tai chinh now covers business registration and So Noi vu covers labour.
The reform reduced Vietnam from 63 provinces to 34. Under Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15 (National Assembly, 12 June 2025), Ninh Thuan was absorbed into an enlarged Khanh Hoa province of about 8,555.86 km² and roughly 2.24 million people. For a foreigner, this means your “province” is bigger, and some addresses and office names have changed.
Under Resolution No. 1667/NQ-UBTVQH15 (16 June 2025), Khanh Hoa was reorganised into 65 commune-level units. The former Nha Trang city became four new wards: Nha Trang, Bac Nha Trang, Tay Nha Trang, and Nam Nha Trang. The commune and ward People’s Committees (UBND cap xa/phuong) are now the front-line authority for marriage, birth, and many civil registrations.
The court system also changed. Laws No. 81/2025/QH15 and No. 85/2025/QH15 moved Vietnam from a four-tier to a three-tier court structure. District courts were replaced by regional courts (Toa an nhan dan khu vuc). Under Resolution No. 81/2025/UBTVQH15 (27 June 2025), the country has 355 regional courts, including 8 in Khanh Hoa. Central Nha Trang is served by Toa an nhan dan Khu vuc 1 – Khanh Hoa.
Two department changes matter most for foreigners. The former Department of Planning and Investment was merged into the Department of Finance (So Tai chinh), which now handles enterprise and investment registration. The former Department of Labour was merged into the Department of Home Affairs (So Noi vu), which now receives foreign-worker filings.
This reform is recent and still being clarified in places. Where a procedure’s competent office is genuinely unsettled, the safest step is to confirm directly with the relevant Khanh Hoa authority before filing.
“Since July 2025, the most common problem we see with foreign clients is paperwork prepared for an office that no longer exists. The law is fine — the routing changed. Confirm the office first, then file.” — Lawyer Tran Hieu, Member Lawyer, Nam Son Law Firm (15+ years’ experience)
How does a foreigner get a work permit or residence card in Khanh Hoa?
Quick answer: Most foreign employees need a work permit before signing a labour contract, issued by the provincial authority within 10 working days under Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP. A work permit is valid up to 2 years and renewable once. Some foreigners are exempt and instead receive a confirmation letter. A temporary residence card then lets you stay long-term.
The current rule is Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP dated 7 August 2025 of the Government, on foreign workers in Vietnam. It replaced the earlier framework under Decree No. 152/2020/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 70/2023/NĐ-CP. The new decree simplified the process: the separate “labour demand explanation” step was merged into the work-permit application, and the old requirement to first advertise the job to Vietnamese candidates was removed.
Under the new decree, a work permit is generally issued within 10 working days, is valid for up to 2 years, and can be renewed once. Exemption categories were widened — for example, capital contributors at or above VND 3 billion, intra-company transfers, short assignments under 90 days, and specialists in fields such as finance, science, technology, and digital transformation. Exempt foreigners still apply for a written confirmation of exemption.
In Khanh Hoa, foreign-worker filings are processed under the provincial People’s Committee, with the Department of Home Affairs (So Noi vu) as the operating department after the labour department was merged in. A new feature is mobility: a worker may now work in more than one province after a 3-working-day notice.
A work permit is not the same as the right to stay. Once you hold a permit (or exemption), you apply for a temporary residence card (the tam tru) under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners 2014 (Law No. 47/2014/QH13), amended in 2019 and 2023 (Law No. 23/2023/QH15). Investor cards (DT1–DT4) follow capital thresholds and run from 1 to 10 years.
Vietnam remains an attractive destination, which keeps work and residence demand high. The country welcomed a record of about 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 20.4% year-on-year — the highest ever — according to figures from Vietnam’s statistics office reported in national media. A share of these visitors convert to longer-stay workers and investors who need permits and residence cards.
Can foreigners buy property or invest in Nha Trang?
Quick answer: Yes, with limits. Under the Law on Housing 2023, foreigners may own apartments and houses in approved commercial projects, but not land. Caps apply — up to 30% of units in a condominium building and a limited number of landed houses per ward. Ownership runs 50 years and is extendable once. Foreigners cannot buy in defence or security zones.
Foreign home ownership is set by the Law on Housing 2023 (Law No. 27/2023/QH15), read together with the Law on Land 2024 (Law No. 31/2024/QH15), the Law on Real Estate Business 2023, and Decree No. 95/2024/NĐ-CP. The core principle is that foreigners hold houses, not land. You own the dwelling for a term; you do not receive permanent land-use rights the way a Vietnamese citizen can.
The main limits are quantity and term. A foreign buyer base may own up to 30% of the units in one condominium building, and a capped number of landed houses within a ward-sized area. The ownership term is 50 years from issuance, extendable once. A foreigner married to a Vietnamese citizen may hold housing with rights closer to those of a Vietnamese citizen.
One point is genuinely unsettled and deserves legal review: whether a later foreign buyer who purchases from a foreign seller receives a fresh 50-year term or only the remaining years. This affects resale value. For a specific project, confirm the term position with the developer and a lawyer before signing.
For investors setting up a company, the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) under the Law on Investment 2020 (Law No. 61/2020/QH14) is the first step, followed by enterprise registration. The Law on Enterprises amendment (Law No. 76/2025/QH15, effective 1 July 2025) added beneficial-ownership disclosure, and Decree No. 168/2025/NĐ-CP governs enterprise registration. In Khanh Hoa these filings now go through the Department of Finance (So Tai chinh).
The investment backdrop is strong. Vietnam’s General Statistics Office estimated GDP growth of 7.09% in 2024, and national figures for 2025 point to about 8.02% growth with record foreign direct investment — roughly US$38.4 billion registered and US$27.6 billion disbursed, the highest disbursement in five years. Khanh Hoa, with its tourism economy and coastal projects, sits inside this growth.
“The mistake foreign buyers make most often in Khanh Hoa is signing before they confirm two things — that the project is licensed to sell to foreigners, and that the 30% foreign cap in that building is not already full.” — Lawyer Tran Hieu, Member Lawyer, Nam Son Law Firm
Buying, investing, or applying soon?
For tailored advice on your own documents and project, you can have a lawyer review the file before you commit. This is legal advice for your situation, not a sales pitch.
📞 0932 263 419 | 0889 181 585 | 🌐 luatsutranhieu.vn
Marriage, divorce and family law with a foreign element — who handles it now?
Quick answer: Since 1 July 2025, a foreigner marrying a Vietnamese citizen registers at the ward or commune People’s Committee where the Vietnamese partner lives (Decree No. 120/2025/NĐ-CP), not the old district office. A divorce with a foreign element is generally first heard by the regional court (TAND khu vuc), under the Law on Marriage and Family 2014 and the amended Civil Procedure Code.
Marriage between a foreigner and a Vietnamese citizen is governed in substance by the Law on Marriage and Family 2014. The procedural change in 2025 is about where you register. After Decree No. 120/2025/NĐ-CP brought the justice sector into the two-tier government model, marriage registration with a foreign element moved to the commune or ward People’s Committee (UBND cap xa) where the Vietnamese citizen resides. Filing can be in person at the public administration centre or online via the National Public Service Portal.
You will typically need passports, a certificate of marital status, and, depending on nationality, a health or capacity document, with foreign papers consular-legalised and translated. A lawyer’s value here is avoiding rejected documents — the most common delay is a legalisation or translation that does not meet the office’s standard.
For divorce, the substance remains the Law on Marriage and Family 2014, covering grounds, asset division, and custody. The procedural change is the court. Before July 2025, a divorce with a foreign element was first heard at provincial level. After the amendments in Law No. 85/2025/QH15 to the Civil Procedure Code, first-instance jurisdiction for matrimonial cases with a foreign element generally sits with the regional court (TAND khu vuc), while the provincial court handles appeals and recognition of foreign judgments.
Complex cases — for example, where assets abroad must be verified or judicial assistance is needed from another country — may follow a different routing. Because sources differ on these edge cases, confirm the competent court for your specific facts rather than assuming.
Why Nam Son Law Firm Has the Best Lawyers in Nha Trang
Quick answer: Nam Son Law Firm serves foreign clients in Nha Trang through its Khanh Hoa branch, led by Lawyer Tran Hieu (bar card 17468/TP/LS-CCHN). The team works in English on immigration, property, investment, and family matters, and files in the correct post-reform Khanh Hoa offices.
What a foreign client should look for is not a slogan but evidence: a named, licensed lawyer, current knowledge of the 2025 reforms, and clear English communication. Nam Son’s foreign-client work is led by Lawyer Tran Hieu, a Member Lawyer holding bar card number 17468/TP/LS-CCHN, with more than 15 years of practice.
The firm operates from its head office in Ho Chi Minh City with branches in Khanh Hoa, Ha Noi, and Quang Ngai, so a matter that spans cities stays with one team. Practice areas relevant to foreigners include immigration and labour, real estate and investment registration, and family law with a foreign element.
Because Khanh Hoa’s offices and courts were reorganised in mid-2025, the practical advantage is knowing the current map — which ward People’s Committee, which regional court, and which provincial department now handles each step.
Modern Accessibility to Legal Services
Quick answer: You do not need to visit an office to start. Foreign clients can get an initial consultation by phone, Zalo, or email in English, send documents electronically, and have the lawyer file or appear on their behalf under a power of attorney where the law allows.
Many foreigners are not in Vietnam when a legal need arises — an investor reviewing a project from abroad, or a partner preparing marriage papers before arrival. A first consultation can be done remotely, in English, so you understand the rule and the steps before you travel or sign anything.
Several Vietnamese procedures now accept online submission through the National Public Service Portal, including parts of marriage registration and certain business filings. Where in-person steps remain, a properly drafted power of attorney can let the lawyer act for you, reducing the number of trips you must make.
Practical access also means clear scope and fees. A good first call should tell you what is possible for your facts, which office is competent after the 2025 reforms, what documents you need, and a realistic timeline — before any engagement.
Remote access is especially useful given how international Khanh Hoa’s visitor base is. In early 2025, South Korea was the province’s largest single source market with over one million arrivals in five months, followed by China and a sharp rebound from Russia — communities that often need English-language legal help while still abroad or newly arrived.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Vietnamese to hire a lawyer in Nha Trang?
No. Firms that serve foreigners, including Nam Son, work in English for consultations and document explanation. Official filings and court documents are in Vietnamese, but your lawyer prepares and translates them. You should still receive a clear English summary of what each document says before you sign.
Can a foreigner own an apartment in Nha Trang?
Yes, within limits. Under the Law on Housing 2023, foreigners may own apartments in licensed commercial projects, capped at 30% of units per building, for a 50-year term that is extendable once. Foreigners cannot own land or buy in defence or security zones. Confirm a specific project is approved for foreign sale first.
Where do I register my marriage to a Vietnamese citizen after the 2025 merger?
At the commune or ward People’s Committee (UBND cap xa) where your Vietnamese partner resides, under Decree No. 120/2025/NĐ-CP. The old district-level office no longer exists. You can often start online via the National Public Service Portal. Foreign documents must be consular-legalised and translated to be accepted.
Which court handles my divorce if my spouse is Vietnamese?
A divorce with a foreign element is generally first heard by the regional court (TAND khu vuc) under the amended Civil Procedure Code, with the provincial court handling appeals and recognition of foreign judgments. Complex cases involving overseas assets may route differently, so confirm the competent court for your facts.
Do I still need a work permit if I am a company investor?
Often no. Under Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP, capital contributors at or above VND 3 billion can fall within the work-permit exemption. You still apply for a written confirmation of exemption rather than skipping the office entirely. Your investor visa or residence card is a separate step tied to your capital level.
Conclusion
For foreigners in Nha Trang, the law itself did not get harder in 2025 — the routing did. Marriage now goes to the ward People’s Committee, divorce to the regional court, business and investment to the Department of Finance, and work permits through the Department of Home Affairs. Get the office right, prepare documents to standard, and most processes move smoothly. If you have a specific case, a short consultation with an English-speaking lawyer at Nam Son’s Khanh Hoa office can confirm your steps before you file.
Contact Our Lawyers in Nha Trang Today
Nam Son Law Firm — Khanh Hoa Branch
Lawyer Tran Hieu — Member Lawyer (bar card 17468/TP/LS-CCHN)
📍 86B Quang Trung, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
🏢 Head office: 141 Nguyen Thi Nhung, P. Hiep Binh, Ho Chi Minh City
📞 0932 263 419 | 0889 181 585
💬 Zalo | 🌐 luatsutranhieu.vn
This article reflects Vietnamese law as of 12 June 2026, including reforms effective 1 July 2025. Regulations are still being clarified in places; for your specific situation, please confirm with the competent authority directly or seek tailored legal advice.
