Contract over, leaving for good — departing foreigners usually still hold Vietnamese funds: final salary, returned deposits, a sold motorbike, settled contracts. How to move money out of Vietnam legally and cleanly?
Principle: lawful income & assets may leave
- Foreigners may remit remaining lawful income and assets when exiting (2005 Foreign Exchange Ordinance, amended 2013): salaries, asset-sale proceeds, returned deposits…
- Conditions: tax obligations settled in Vietnam (final-year PIT finalisation) with source-of-funds documents.
6-step money checklist for leaving Vietnam
- 1. Finalise PIT: file the final year (or authorise the company) — get tax-clearance proof.
- 2. Close the lease: recover deposits, liquidate the contract — keep the liquidation minutes.
- 3. Dispose of assets: vehicles, belongings — sell with contracts/receipts; vehicles need plate-recovery and re-titling (Circular 24/2023/TT-BCA).
- 4. Close unneeded accounts: keep one for late refunds (final salary, tax refunds).
- 5. Wire via banks: bring documents (passport, tax proof, source documents) — same procedure as salary remittance (EXP-0488).
- 6. Claim social insurance (if any): foreign employees in compulsory social insurance get a lump-sum payout on exit — file at the social insurance office before leaving.
Vietnamese emigrating — moving assets out?
- Vietnamese permitted to settle abroad may transfer assets (deposits, property-sale proceeds…) via licensed banks, with: nationality-renunciation/settlement decisions, asset-ownership papers.
- Selling real estate before leaving: pay 2% PIT on the transfer first, then remit.
FAQs
Remembered Vietnamese funds after leaving?
Accounts stay valid — arrange remote transfers via the bank (notarised authorisation if needed) or return to process. Don’t let accounts “sleep” into fee erosion.
Carrying FX cash to the airport?
Cash above prescribed levels must be customs-declared on exit — undeclared means fines and confiscation. Safest: bank wires.
Can tax debtors exit?
Large enforced tax debts can trigger exit suspension — finalise taxes before booking home.
Contact us
FLAT Law Firm advises foreign nationals and their families on inheritance, wills, driving licences, health insurance and money transfers in Vietnam. Contact us for advice on your specific case.