Since 1 July 2026, a construction permit for a private house in Vietnam must be issued within 7 working days of receiving a complete, valid dossier — cut by more than half from the old 15-day rule. This major change comes from Decree 217/2026/ND-CP (fully replacing Decree 175/2024) under the Construction Law 135/2025/QH15 (replacing Law 50/2014).
Critical note: do not cite Article 102 of Construction Law 50/2014 (15 days) as current law — it is no longer in force. This article breaks down each deadline, explains how “working days” are counted, and lists exemption cases.
Where does the 7-working-day figure come from?
Decree 217/2026/ND-CP (effective 1/7/2026) sets a 7-working-day deadline for new issuance, adjustment, repair, renovation, relocation and term permits for private houses. The statutory framework is Construction Law 135/2025/QH15 (effective 1/7/2026, replacing Law 50/2014).
Step-by-step: where do the 7 days go?
| Step | Deadline | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Dossier appraisal | 3 working days | Licensing authority checks completeness and validity |
| Supplementation (one time only) | 2 working days | If incomplete, the authority notifies once for supplementation |
| Inter-agency consultation | 2 working days | Consulted agencies must reply; silence counts as consent |
| Refusal (if any) | 1 working day | Must be in writing with stated reasons |
Extensions and re-issuance: 5 working days.
How are “working days” counted?
“Working days” exclude Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The clock starts on the date the authority receives a complete and valid dossier — not your first submission date if documents are missing. Preparing a complete dossier upfront is the most effective way to shorten real-world waiting time.
Where to file: fully online
Under Decree 217/2026, private-house permit dossiers are filed entirely online via the National Public Service Portal. Authorities are prohibited from demanding documents already available in national databases — if asked for duplicates, you may file a complaint.
On competence: Article 53 of Decree 217/2026 decentralizes among the Department of Construction, Management Boards and commune People’s Committees — check the specific decentralization in your project locality.
Checklist: exemption cases
Before applying, check whether your project is exempt — many rural private houses are:
- Private houses in rural areas (except urban-planned zones, conservation areas, heritage sites).
- Interior repairs/renovations not altering load-bearing structures, functions, environment or safety.
- Works in projects with an approved 1/500 detailed plan.
Exempt does not mean “build freely” — planning boundaries, setbacks and technical standards still apply.
Practical notes
1. “7 working days” is not “7 days”: filing on a Friday afternoon means the calendar-time wait stretches into the week after next.
2. Only one supplementation round: the law allows a single supplementation request — prepare carefully to avoid rejection over trivial gaps.
3. Silence past the deadline: if 7 working days pass with neither a permit nor a written refusal stating reasons, pursue the administrative complaint procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long is a private-house construction permit valid?
A: 12 months from issuance; if construction has not started, apply for extension (processed within 5 working days).
Q: What are the penalties for building without a permit?
A: Administrative sanctions under Decree 16/2022/ND-CP, potentially including forced demolition of the violating portion.
Q: Can houses in narrow alleys get permits?
A: Yes, if planning, density and setback standards are met — a narrow alley affects planning indicators, not an absolute ground for refusal.
Legal bases
- Construction Law 135/2025/QH15 (effective 1/7/2026, replacing Law 50/2014).
- Decree 217/2026/ND-CP (effective 1/7/2026, fully replacing Decree 175/2024): 7 working days; 3-day appraisal; 2-day supplementation; 2-day consultation; 1-day refusal; 5-day extension/re-issuance; Art. 53 (competence).
Legal texts effective as of 14/10/2026. “Working days” exclude weekends and holidays; counted from receipt of a valid dossier.
Further reading
Permit types compared: Term construction permits vs. new construction permits; FDI factory construction permits: procedure and timeline.
Transparency note: This article was prepared and content-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council; it has not been reviewed by a human lawyer. It is general information only and does not replace legal advice for your specific situation.
Preparing a permit application? Contact FLAT Law Firm via our contact page for a pre-filing dossier check.
This article has been reviewed by the QA Council.