A relative abroad passes leaving money, or family divides home-country assets and sends your share to Vietnam — inheriting money from abroad means 2 jobs: (1) receiving the money in Vietnam, (2) Vietnamese tax. Job 1 is simpler than you think; job 2 depends on asset type.
Receiving inherited money in Vietnam
- Inherited money wires in like remittances — unrestricted, no special licence.
- Bank files may require: inheritance-right proof (legalised wills, foreign court distribution orders…), ID documents.
- Inherited cash: no PIT in Vietnam (like cash gifts).
PIT on inheritances: same as gifts
- Inheritance income is taxed on the same 4 asset categories as gifts: securities, capital stakes, real estate, registrable assets — 10% × (value − VND 20M)/receipt (from 1/7/2026).
- Exempt among the 5 family groups (spouses, parents–children, grandparents–grandchildren, siblings…).
- Inherited cash, bank deposits, gold: not taxed.
Inheriting real estate abroad: taxed where?
- Foreign real estate follows local law — that country’s estate/inheritance tax and titling procedures. Vietnam doesn’t PIT foreign real estate directly, but note: residents face worldwide-income taxation; assessment on foreign real estate is complex in practice — consult counsel for large values.
- Sell the inherited foreign property, then wire proceeds: inbound money isn’t PIT-taxed (like remittances).
FAQs
Foreign wills valid in Vietnam?
Wills made abroad are recognised if lawful where made — they need consular legalisation and notarised translation for Vietnamese use (see the inheritance cluster in this batch).
Declare inherited foreign money?
Cash: no PIT arises, so no PIT declaration. Large bank transactions still face bank AML reporting.
Foreigners inheriting from Vietnamese?
Foreign heirs may receive monetary estates; inherited Vietnamese real estate faces foreign-ownership limits (Housing Law, Land Law).
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.
