Living abroad but renting in Vietnam (for studying children, holding a flat, buy-to-let) — how to get rent money from abroad to landlords lawfully, and who bears the tax? This final article of the “Gifts & Transfers” cluster closes 3 jobs: moving money, the lease, taxes.
Moving rent from abroad: 2 lawful ways
- Way 1 — International wires to the landlord/your account: from overseas accounts to Vietnamese bank accounts (yours or the landlord’s per agreement), marked “rent payment”. Keep transfer slips.
- Way 2 — Authorise someone in Vietnam: written authorisation for relatives/management companies to receive and pay rent — for long absences.
- Never use crypto or underground transfers for rent — see EXP-0496, EXP-0497.
Leases: 4 must-haves for absentee tenants
- 1. Written + notarised (recommended): written leases; notarisation optional but wise for long terms/large values.
- 2. Payment terms: state currency (VND), method (transfer), periods, receiving account.
- 3. Authorised representative: abroad → name your authorised signatory/handover recipient in the contract.
- 4. Residence registration: landlords must declare tenants’ temporary residence — foreign tenants need lawful registration.
Rental tax: who pays, how much
- The landlord pays, not the tenant: on rental revenue above VND 100M/year — 5% VAT + 5% PIT on revenue.
- Foreign individual tenants: rent paid creates no PIT for tenants; but if your company rents for staff (foreign experts), the rent is the employee’s taxable employment income.
- State clearly in the contract: rent inclusive or exclusive of tax — avoid disputes over top-ups.
FAQs
Renting then subletting?
Only with the landlord’s written consent in the contract. Unauthorised subletting: landlords may unilaterally terminate.
Paying a year’s rent at once from abroad?
Allowed — but risky if landlords renege mid-term. Prefer short periods (3–6 months) or clear penalty clauses + receipted deposits.
Foreign landlord, rent remitted abroad?
Foreign landlords receiving Vietnamese rent: same taxes (5% + 5% above VND 100M/year); after-tax income remits via banks under the Foreign Exchange Ordinance.
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.
