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Practising law in Vietnam as a foreign lawyer

No route for foreign-qualified lawyersLimited home-law practice is possible

Foreign lawyers in Vietnam are licensed by the Ministry of Justice to advise on foreign and international law, but they cannot represent clients before Vietnamese courts. We found no route for a foreign national to qualify as a Vietnamese lawyer. A reform of the Law on Lawyers was in preparation in 2026.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the kinds of route that exist. The regulator listed under “Official sources” publishes the current requirements, fees and dates, so always confirm with them. This is general information, not legal advice.

The routes

Foreign lawyer in Vietnam

For: Foreign lawyers who want to advise in Vietnam.

  1. Hold a valid lawyer's practising certificate from a foreign authority, and have experience advising on foreign and international law.
  2. Be appointed by a foreign law-practising organisation, or employed by a branch of a foreign firm or a Vietnamese law firm, and apply for a licence from the Ministry of Justice.
  3. Work within the permitted forms, such as a branch, a foreign-owned firm, or a joint venture or partnership with a Vietnamese firm.

A draft of an amended Law on Lawyers was announced in May 2026, so licensing rules for foreign lawyers may change.

Practising only your home-country law

Foreign lawyers and firms may advise on foreign and international law. Advice on Vietnamese law has to come from Vietnamese lawyers they employ, and foreign lawyers may not act as advocates in court.

Understand the legal system first

Vietnam belongs to the Civil law family. Knowing how its system works makes the admission route easier to follow.

Read the Vietnam legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare Vietnam with another country →

Official sources

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TheLawToKnow Tools’s Bar Admission guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the regulator’s own information. Report a mistake.