What documents are needed for a private-house building permit in Vietnam — and where do you file? This seemingly simple question has one update most online guides have missed: since 1 July 2025, dossiers are filed with the commune-level People’s Committee, no longer the district level. File at the wrong office and your dossier will be returned at intake.
1. The application form: Form No. 01, Appendix II of Decree 15/2021
Applications for private-house building permits use Form No. 01 issued with Appendix II of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP (effective 15 March 2021, still in force; amended by Decree 35/2023/ND-CP).
Mandatory fields to complete accurately:
- Investor information (name, address, phone, email);
- Construction location: plot number, map sheet, land address;
- Requested permit scope: new construction (number of floors, height, total floor area);
- Design consultant and chief designer (if any);
- Expected commencement and completion dates;
- Investor’s commitment to dossier truthfulness.
2. Dossier checklist: 4 document groups (Article 46, Decree 15/2021)
| Group | Documents | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | Form No. 01, Appendix II | Complete, signed with full name |
| 2. Land-use rights | Land-use rights certificate (“red book”) or other lawful proof of land-use rights | Name must match the investor in the form |
| 3. Design drawings | 2 sets of construction design drawings (see section 3) | Must contain all 4 content groups |
| 4. Supplementary (if required) | Fire-safety design appraisal / construction design verification results; safety commitment for adjacent works | Only where the law requires for the specific work type |
3. What must the design drawings show? 4 content groups
The 2 sets of construction design drawings must fully present 4 content groups:
- Site plan of the work on the land plot with location diagram;
- Floor plans, elevations and main sections of the work;
- Foundation plans and sections with diagrams connecting rainwater drainage, wastewater treatment, water supply, power and communications;
- Drawings showing architectural and structural solutions ensuring safety of the work and neighbouring works.
Missing any of the 4 groups is a common reason dossiers are returned for supplementation.
4. Where to file, how long? The change since 1 July 2025
File with the commune-level People’s Committee
Under Article 4 of Decree 140/2025/ND-CP (effective 1 July 2025), the commune-level People’s Committee exercises building-permit authority under Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 103 of the Law on Construction. This is the single most important update: private-house dossiers previously filed at district level now go to the commune.
Issuance time: 15 days
Under Article 102 of the Law on Construction 2014 (amended 2020), the permit for a private house must be issued within 15 days of receipt of a complete and valid dossier.
5. Five mistakes that get dossiers returned
- Filing at the wrong level: still filing at the district People’s Committee although authority moved to the commune on 1 July 2025;
- Investor name mismatch with the name on the land-use rights certificate;
- Incomplete drawings: missing foundation plans, infrastructure connection diagrams, or adjacent-work safety solutions;
- Only 1 set of drawings submitted when 2 sets are required;
- Missing adjacent-work safety commitment where the law requires it.
6. Building without a permit: sanctions
Building a private house that requires a permit without one — or deviating from the permitted contents — may draw administrative sanctions under Decree 16/2022/ND-CP, including fines and forced demolition of the violating portion. Building first and asking later always costs more than doing it right.
7. Frequently asked questions
Which private houses are exempt from permits?
Some cases are exempt under the Law on Construction (e.g. rural private houses in areas without an approved detailed plan, outside conservation or relic zones). Check the current exemption rules or ask the commune People’s Committee directly before breaking ground.
Where can the form be downloaded?
Form No. 01, Appendix II of Decree 15/2021 is publicly available; you can also collect it at the one-stop unit of the commune People’s Committee. Note that localities may issue supplementary form guidance.
Do repairs and renovations need a permit?
It depends on scale: repairs altering load-bearing structures, use functions or work safety require a permit; minor repairs outside these cases may not. When in doubt, ask the commune People’s Committee before starting work.
8. Conclusion
In short: the application on Form No. 01, land documents, 2 sets of drawings covering the 4 content groups, plus supplementary documents where required — filed with the commune People’s Committee since 1 July 2025, with issuance within 15 days. Prepare it right the first time and you will avoid a single supplementation round.
Read more: Construction permit vs. fire-safety design appraisal: twin procedures for factories.
If you need a review of your building-permit dossier, contact FLAT Law Firm for advice.
This article has been reviewed by the QA Council.
Transparency note: this article was prepared by the FLAW AI Legal Council based on legislation in force at the time of writing (14 October 2026). It is for general information only, is not an official legal text, and does not replace legal advice for your specific case. Forms may be supplemented by local guidance.