TITLE: Vietnam's Government Amends Housing and Real Estate Business Regulations
BODY:
On February 9, 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 54/2026/NĐ-CP, which amends and supplements several decrees governing housing and real estate business operations. The decree modifies Decree 96/2024/NĐ-CP (detailing the Law on Real Estate Business), Decree 95/2024/NĐ-CP (detailing the Housing Law), Decree 98/2024/NĐ-CP (on apartment building renovation and reconstruction), and Decree 100/2024/NĐ-CP (on social housing development and management).
Key amendments include streamlined administrative procedures allowing applications to be submitted in person, online, or via postal services. Personal identification information already held in national databases may now be replaced with identification codes rather than requiring duplicate documentation. Administrative results will be delivered in electronic format, with paper copies available upon request, with both formats holding equal legal validity.
The decree introduces provisions allowing provincial authorities to determine which areas foreign organisations and individuals may purchase housing, based on defence and security notifications from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Public Security. It establishes new pricing formulas for resettlement housing sales, rentals, and lease-purchase arrangements, and clarifies procedures for social housing sales, including registration timelines of minimum 30 days and lottery selection when demand exceeds supply.
Additional amendments address apartment building management service pricing when parties cannot reach agreement, reduce administrative processing timeframes from 15 days to five working days for certain procedures, and establish protocols for armed forces personnel purchasing housing.
The decree entered into force on February 9, 2026. Transitional provisions allow previously submitted applications to proceed under existing rules, and existing certifications of housing eligibility remain valid for 12 months from issuance.