What is Vietnam Embassy Attestation?

Vietnam embassy attestation is the process of getting your South African documents officially verified by the Vietnamese embassy in Pretoria. It is required because Vietnam is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means a standard apostille is not accepted for documents going to Vietnam.

Instead of a single apostille, documents destined for Vietnam must go through a multi-step attestation chain. The Vietnamese embassy attests documents only after they have been authenticated by DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation). We handle the entire chain so you do not need to visit any office yourself.

Vietnam Attestation vs Apostille

Since Vietnam has not signed the Hague Convention, a standard apostille will not be accepted. You need the full embassy attestation chain instead. If your documents are going to a Hague country (UK, Australia, EU, etc.), you need an apostille.

The Vietnam Attestation Process (4 Steps)

The Vietnam attestation chain follows a strict sequence. Each authority verifies the signature from the previous step before adding their own stamp. We manage the entire process from start to finish.

1

Notarisation (1 day)

Private documents are first notarised by a Notary Public. Government-issued documents such as birth certificates and police clearance certificates skip this step as they already bear official signatures.

2

High Court Authentication (3 days)

The High Court authenticates the notary's signature. This step confirms that the notary who certified your document is a registered South African notary.

3

DIRCO Authentication (~1 week)

DIRCO issues a Certificate of Authentication, confirming the High Court stamp is genuine. This is the step that precedes embassy submission and typically takes about one week.

4

Vietnam Embassy Attestation (5-7 working days)

The Vietnamese embassy in Pretoria verifies the DIRCO authentication and stamps your document. The embassy charges approximately R600 per document for standard processing, or approximately R1,000 for priority processing. This fee is separate from our service fee.

Vietnam Attestation Pricing

Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. The Vietnam embassy fee (approximately R600 standard / R1,000 priority per document) is charged by the embassy and passed through at cost.

Service Our Fee (ZAR) Processing Time
Full Vietnam Attestation Chain
Notarisation + High Court + DIRCO + Vietnam Embassy
R3,150 per document 2-3 weeks
Vietnam Embassy Attestation Only
Documents already authenticated by DIRCO
R1,500 per document 5-7 working days
Vietnam Embassy Fee (Standard)
Charged by the embassy
~R600 per document Included above
Vietnam Embassy Fee (Priority)
Charged by the embassy
~R1,000 per document Included above
Local Courier R250 1-2 working days
International Courier (to Vietnam) R1,100 3-5 working days

Note: Embassy fees are charged separately and paid directly to the Vietnam embassy. Prices shown are our service fees excluding embassy fees.

Documents Commonly Attested for Vietnam

Vietnam requires attested documents for work permits, teaching positions, and business activities. These are the most common documents we attest for clients moving to Vietnam:

  • Degrees, Diplomas, and TEFL/TESOL Certificates - Required for teaching English in Vietnam and other professional work permits. Your degree and teaching certificate must both be attested
  • Police Clearance Certificates - Required for all Vietnam work permits and residency applications. SAPS police clearance must be attested before submission to Vietnamese authorities
  • Birth Certificates - Required for dependent visa applications and personal status documentation in Vietnam. Must be unabridged from Home Affairs
  • Marriage Certificates - Required for spouse visa applications and marriage registration in Vietnam
  • Medical Certificates - Healthcare workers and teachers may need attested medical certificates as part of work permit applications

Common Reasons for Vietnam Attestation

  • Teaching English in Vietnam - Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations for South African English teachers. You need an attested degree, TEFL/TESOL certificate, and police clearance to obtain a work permit
  • Work Permits and Employment - All foreign workers in Vietnam need attested qualifications and police clearance certificates as part of the work permit application
  • Business and Investment - Setting up a company or investing in Vietnam requires attested commercial documents and powers of attorney
  • Study in Vietnam - Students enrolling at Vietnamese universities need attested academic transcripts and certificates
  • Retirement in Vietnam - Retirees may need attested personal documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates for long-stay visa applications

Need Documents for Vietnam?

We handle the entire Vietnam attestation chain so you do not need to visit any office. Contact us for a same-day quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Vietnam embassy attestation take?

The full Vietnam attestation chain takes approximately 2-3 weeks: notarisation (1 day), High Court authentication (3 days), DIRCO authentication (~1 week), and Vietnam embassy attestation (5-7 working days). If your documents are already DIRCO-authenticated, the embassy step alone takes 5-7 working days.

How much is the Vietnam embassy fee?

The Vietnam embassy charges approximately R600 per document for standard processing, or approximately R1,000 for priority processing. This fee is set by the embassy and is separate from our service fee. We pass it through at cost with no markup.

What documents do I need to teach English in Vietnam?

To teach English in Vietnam you typically need three attested documents: a bachelor's degree (any field), a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (120 hours minimum is standard), and a police clearance certificate. All three must go through the full attestation chain including Vietnam embassy attestation. Some schools also require an attested medical certificate.

Can I send my documents by courier for Vietnam attestation?

Yes. We offer a nationwide courier service. You can send your documents to us from anywhere in South Africa (Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, etc.) and we handle the entire attestation chain on your behalf. We return your fully attested documents by courier.

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The Campus, Bryanston
Gauteng 2021, South Africa

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08:00 - 18:00

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