Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Vietnam Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Vietnam Property Pack
If you are a foreigner considering buying residential property in Hai Phong, understanding the full picture of costs, taxes, and fees is essential before you commit to any purchase.
This guide breaks down every expense you will face in Hai Phong in 2026, from registration fees and notary charges to rental income taxes and capital gains when you sell.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest changes in Vietnamese property regulations and Hai Phong's local land price tables.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Hai Phong.
Overall, how much extra should I budget on top of the purchase price in Hai Phong in 2026?
How much are total buyer closing costs in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, total buyer closing costs in Hai Phong typically range from 3% to 7% of the purchase price, which on a 3 billion VND property (around 114,000 USD or 98,000 EUR) means budgeting an extra 90 to 210 million VND (3,400 to 8,000 USD or 2,900 to 6,900 EUR).
The minimum extra budget possible in Hai Phong when keeping expenses to the bare legal minimum is around 0.7% to 1.3% of the purchase price plus 5 to 15 million VND (190 to 570 USD or 165 to 490 EUR) in fixed administrative and translation costs.
The maximum extra budget buyers should realistically plan for in Hai Phong is around 7% to 8% of the purchase price, which accounts for agent fees paid by the buyer, new-build apartment maintenance funds, thorough legal due diligence, and full translation services.
The main factors that determine whether your closing costs fall at the low end or high end in Hai Phong include whether you buy resale or new-build (the 2% apartment maintenance fund adds significantly), who pays the agent fee, and how much legal and translation support you need as a foreigner.
What's the usual total % of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Hai Phong?
The usual total percentage of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Hai Phong is around 3% to 6% for most foreign buyers, depending on the property type and how costs are negotiated between parties.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range that covers most standard property transactions in Hai Phong is 3% to 5% for resale properties and 5% to 7% for new-build apartments that include the 2% maintenance fund.
Of that total percentage, government taxes and mandatory fees (registration fee, notarization, and potential transfer tax) typically make up around 1% to 3%, while professional service fees such as legal support, translation, and optional agent fees account for the remaining 1% to 4%.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Hai Phong.
What costs are always mandatory when buying in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the mandatory costs when buying property in Hai Phong include the 0.5% registration fee, notarization or authentication fees for the transfer contract (typically 0.05% to 0.15% of contract value), and basic administrative dossier charges of a few million VND.
Costs that are optional but highly recommended for foreign buyers in Hai Phong include independent lawyer or conveyancing support, title and encumbrance checks, certified translation services, interpreter assistance at signing, and for new builds, a snagging inspection before handover.
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What taxes do I pay when buying a property in Hai Phong in 2026?
What is the property transfer tax rate in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the property transfer tax in Hai Phong consists of a 0.5% registration fee paid by the buyer and a 2% Personal Income Tax (PIT) on the transfer price that is legally the seller's responsibility but can be contractually shifted to the buyer.
There are no extra transfer taxes specifically for foreigners buying property in Hai Phong, as national tax rules apply the same rates regardless of nationality, though foreigners face higher process costs like translation and additional paperwork.
Buyers may pay VAT on residential property purchases in Hai Phong when buying from a developer (new-build), typically at 10% on the construction value, but VAT does not usually apply to resale transactions between individuals.
Vietnam does not use a UK-style stamp duty for residential purchases, so the closest equivalents in Hai Phong are the 0.5% registration fee at registration time and the regulated notarization fees at contract signing.
Are there tax exemptions or reduced rates for first-time buyers in Hai Phong?
Vietnam does not operate a broad first-time buyer tax discount in Hai Phong or nationally, though specific exemptions exist for certain family transfers or special categories that rarely apply to arm's-length purchases by foreigners.
If you buy property through a company instead of as an individual in Hai Phong, the tax treatment shifts to corporate accounting and the standard 20% Corporate Income Tax rate applies to any gains when you sell, plus there are additional compliance and administrative costs.
There is often a tax difference between buying new-build versus resale in Hai Phong, mainly because new-build purchases from developers can include 10% VAT on the construction value while resale transactions between individuals typically do not attract VAT.
Since Vietnam does not have a first-time buyer exemption program for standard purchases, there are no specific documentation requirements to qualify, though general eligibility for foreign ownership requires a valid passport and legal entry status.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Vietnam versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Which professional fees will I pay as a buyer in Hai Phong in 2026?
How much does a notary or conveyancing lawyer cost in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, notary fees in Hai Phong follow a regulated schedule and typically cost around 0.05% to 0.15% of the contract value (roughly 1.5 to 4.5 million VND per billion VND of property value, or 60 to 170 USD / 50 to 150 EUR) plus small fixed administrative charges.
Notary fees in Hai Phong are charged as a percentage of the property value based on a tiered schedule, while conveyancing lawyers typically charge either a flat fee of 10 to 40 million VND (380 to 1,520 USD or 330 to 1,310 EUR) for straightforward resales or higher amounts for complex deals.
Translation and interpreter services for foreign buyers in Hai Phong typically cost around 300,000 to 800,000 VND per page (11 to 30 USD or 10 to 26 EUR) for certified document translation, plus 1 to 3 million VND (38 to 114 USD or 33 to 98 EUR) for an interpreter session at signing.
Most foreign buyers in Hai Phong do not need a separate tax advisor for a simple residential purchase, but if you plan to rent the property or have cross-border reporting needs, budget 5 to 20 million VND (190 to 760 USD or 165 to 655 EUR) for professional tax guidance.
We have a whole part dedicated to these topics in our our real estate pack about Hai Phong.
What's the typical real estate agent fee in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical real estate agent fee in Hai Phong is around 1% to 2% of the property price, which on a 3 billion VND property amounts to 30 to 60 million VND (1,140 to 2,280 USD or 980 to 1,960 EUR).
In Hai Phong, the seller typically pays the agent fee in most transactions, but in some deals, especially when using a buyer's agent or an expat-focused broker, buyers may be asked to pay a similar 1% to 2% fee.
The realistic low-to-high range for agent fees in Hai Phong is 0% to 2%, where the low end reflects deals where the seller fully covers the commission and the high end applies when buyers engage their own dedicated agent.
How much do legal checks cost (title, liens, permits) in Hai Phong?
Legal checks in Hai Phong including title search, liens verification, and permits review typically cost 10 to 30 million VND (380 to 1,140 USD or 330 to 980 EUR) for standard resale properties and 30 to 70 million VND (1,140 to 2,660 USD or 980 to 2,290 EUR) for complex cases involving developers or messy ownership histories.
Property valuation fees in Hai Phong typically cost 2 to 8 million VND (76 to 304 USD or 65 to 260 EUR) when required by a bank for financing, or 5 to 15 million VND (190 to 570 USD or 165 to 490 EUR) for an independent valuation report with more detail.
The most critical legal check that should never be skipped in Hai Phong is verifying the ownership certificate (pink book) status and confirming the property is within the foreign ownership quota, as purchasing outside the quota or with unresolved encumbrances can void your entire investment.
Buying a property with hidden issues is something we mention in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying real estate in Hai Phong.
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What hidden or surprise costs should I watch for in Hai Phong right now?
What are the most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Hai Phong?
The most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Hai Phong include the 2% apartment maintenance fund on new-build purchases, higher-than-expected monthly building service charges, seller-side PIT (2%) quietly shifted to the buyer through negotiation, assessed-value calculations based on Hai Phong's 2026 land price tables rather than your negotiated market price, and extra translation and legalization costs for foreign documents.
Unpaid property taxes, outstanding land-use tax obligations, or unresolved building management fees can potentially be inherited when purchasing in Hai Phong, which is why verifying any outstanding debts attached to the property before signing is essential.
Scams with fake listings or fake fees do occur in Hai Phong, typically involving deposits paid before confirming ownership certificate status or fake administrative charges demanded outside official channels, so always verify seller credentials and use a licensed notary.
Fees that are usually not disclosed upfront by sellers or agents in Hai Phong include the exact split of PIT responsibility, apartment building service fee amounts, pending maintenance fund contributions, and any outstanding utility charges from the previous owner.
In our property pack covering the property buying process in Hai Phong, we go into details so you can avoid these pitfalls.
Are there extra fees if the property has a tenant in Hai Phong?
Extra fees when buying a tenanted property in Hai Phong may include handover timing costs or compensation if you want vacant possession, lease termination penalties if the existing contract requires notice periods, and any outstanding utility or service charges the tenant has not settled, which together can range from a few million to tens of millions of VND depending on the situation.
When purchasing a tenanted property in Hai Phong, the buyer legally inherits the existing lease agreement and must honor its terms until expiration, including rent amounts, notice periods, and any tenant protections specified in the contract.
Terminating an existing lease immediately after purchase in Hai Phong is generally not possible unless the contract contains an early termination clause, and attempting to remove a tenant without legal grounds can expose you to compensation claims.
A sitting tenant in Hai Phong can affect market value in both directions, potentially lowering it if the lease terms are unfavorable to investors or providing negotiating leverage for buyers seeking cash-flow properties with rental income already in place.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Hai Phong.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Vietnam. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which fees are negotiable, and who really pays what in Hai Phong?
Which closing costs are negotiable in Hai Phong right now?
The most negotiable closing costs in Hai Phong are who pays the 2% transfer PIT (legally the seller's but often shifted through contract terms), the allocation of agent fees between buyer and seller, and the scope and depth of legal and translation services you choose to engage.
Closing costs that are fixed by law and cannot be negotiated in Hai Phong include the 0.5% registration fee, which is set by national decree, and the notarization fee schedule, which follows regulated tiers based on contract value.
On negotiable fees, typical discounts or reductions buyers can realistically achieve in Hai Phong include having the seller cover the full 2% PIT (saving you the equivalent), negotiating the seller to pay the agent commission, or reducing legal service scope if you are an experienced buyer.
Can I ask the seller to cover some closing costs in Hai Phong?
In Hai Phong, sellers are moderately likely to agree to cover some closing costs, especially if you are a cash buyer, the property has been on the market for a while, or you offer a quick completion timeline.
The specific closing costs sellers are most commonly willing to cover in Hai Phong include the 2% PIT on the transfer (which is legally their obligation anyway), their share of the agent commission, and any outstanding administrative fixes needed to deliver a clean title.
Sellers in Hai Phong are more likely to accept covering closing costs during buyer's market conditions, when there is excess inventory in new-build developments, when the listing has been stale for several months, or when there are documentation issues the seller needs to resolve before transfer.
Is price bargaining common in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, price bargaining is common and expected in Hai Phong, particularly on resale properties where asking prices often have room built in for negotiation.
Buyers in Hai Phong typically negotiate 3% to 8% below the asking price on standard resales, with discounts of 10% or more achievable when listings are stale, overpriced, or have documentation or tenancy complications, which on a 3 billion VND property translates to savings of 90 to 300 million VND (3,400 to 11,400 USD or 2,900 to 9,800 EUR).
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What monthly, quarterly or annual costs will I pay as an owner in Hai Phong?
What's the realistic monthly owner budget in Hai Phong right now?
A realistic monthly owner budget in Hai Phong for a typical apartment ranges from 2 to 8 million VND (76 to 304 USD or 65 to 260 EUR), while landed house owners may have lower fixed monthly costs of 1 to 3 million VND (38 to 114 USD or 33 to 98 EUR) but should budget more for repairs.
The main recurring expense categories that make up this monthly budget in Hai Phong include building service or management fees for apartments, utilities like electricity, water, and internet, routine maintenance and repairs, and if applicable, landlord administration costs for rented properties.
The realistic low-to-high range for monthly owner costs in Hai Phong depending on property type is 1 to 3 million VND (38 to 114 USD or 33 to 98 EUR) for basic landed houses and 3 to 10 million VND (114 to 380 USD or 98 to 330 EUR) for apartments in newer developments with full amenities.
The monthly cost that tends to vary the most in Hai Phong is the building service fee for apartments, which depends heavily on the project's quality level, amenities like pools and gyms, and whether services such as security and cleaning are included.
You can see how this budget affect your gross and rental yields in Hai Phong here.
What is the annual property tax amount in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the annual property tax in Hai Phong is technically the non-agricultural land use tax, which for residential land is typically calculated at 0.03% of the official land value, meaning a property on land valued at 1 billion VND officially would owe around 300,000 VND (11 USD or 10 EUR) per year.
The realistic low-to-high range for annual property taxes in Hai Phong depending on property value is roughly 200,000 to 2 million VND (8 to 76 USD or 7 to 65 EUR) for most residential properties, as rates depend on the official land price tables rather than market prices.
Property tax in Hai Phong is calculated based on local government land price tables (updated effective January 1, 2026), the land area, and the applicable rate band, which means the tax base may differ from your negotiated purchase price.
Exemptions or reductions to annual property taxes in Hai Phong may be available for certain categories such as agricultural land (exempted through 2030), properties owned by disabled veterans, or specific government-designated situations, though these rarely apply to foreign residential buyers.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Vietnam. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
If I rent it out, what extra taxes and fees apply in Hai Phong in 2026?
What tax rate applies to rental income in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the tax rate on rental income in Hai Phong for individual landlords earning over 100 million VND per year is effectively 10% of gross rental receipts, split between 5% VAT and 5% Personal Income Tax under Circular 40/2021.
Landlords in Hai Phong using the standard individual regime cannot deduct specific expenses like repairs or management fees from rental income taxes, as the 10% rate is applied to gross rental revenue rather than calculated on a net profit basis.
The realistic effective tax rate after the simplified calculation for typical landlords in Hai Phong is around 10% of gross rent if annual rental income exceeds 100 million VND, or 0% if you stay below that threshold and properly declare your income.
Foreign property owners in Hai Phong pay the same rental income tax rates as Vietnamese residents, though they may face additional administrative complexity around tax code registration, banking, and compliance documentation.
Do I pay tax on short-term rentals in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rental income in Hai Phong is subject to the same tax rules as long-term rentals, meaning if your annual rental revenue exceeds 100 million VND, you owe approximately 10% in combined VAT and PIT on gross receipts.
Short-term rental income is not taxed differently than long-term rental income in Hai Phong under current regulations, though short-term rental hosts should be aware of local licensing requirements and potential restrictions in certain building types or districts.
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If I sell later, what taxes and fees will I pay in Hai Phong in 2026?
What's the total cost of selling as a % of price in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total cost of selling a property in Hai Phong typically ranges from 3% to 5% of the sale price, covering taxes, agent fees, and administrative charges.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range for total selling costs in Hai Phong is 2% to 6%, where the low end applies when sellers negotiate buyers to share costs and the high end applies when using a full-service agent and covering all standard charges.
The specific cost categories that make up the total selling cost in Hai Phong include the 2% Personal Income Tax on the transfer price, agent commission typically around 1% to 2%, notarization and registration fee contributions if negotiated, and any documentation or legal preparation costs.
The single largest contributor to selling expenses in Hai Phong is usually the 2% PIT on the transfer, which is calculated on the gross sale price regardless of how long you held the property or what your original purchase price was.
What capital gains tax applies when selling in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, Vietnam applies a 2% Personal Income Tax on the transfer price rather than a traditional capital gains tax calculated on profit, meaning you pay 2% of the gross sale price regardless of your actual gain.
Exemptions to the 2% transfer PIT in Hai Phong may apply in specific situations such as transfers between spouses, parents and children, or other legally defined family relationships, but these exemptions do not typically apply to arm's-length sales by foreign investors.
Foreigners do not pay extra taxes or a different capital gains rate when selling property in Hai Phong, as the same 2% PIT on transfer applies regardless of nationality, though foreigners face additional compliance steps for repatriating sale proceeds.
The capital gain calculation in Vietnam does not work like Western systems where you subtract purchase price from sale price; instead, the 2% PIT is simply applied to the full transfer value stated in the notarized contract.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Vietnam compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Hai Phong, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Decree 10/2022/ND-CP on registration fees | It's the official Vietnamese government decree that sets property registration fee rules. | We used it to anchor the 0.5% registration fee that buyers pay in Hai Phong. We treated it as the baseline for mandatory buyer closing costs throughout this article. |
| Circular 257/2016/TT-BTC (Notary Fee Schedule) | It's the Ministry of Finance's official schedule for notarization fees. | We used it to estimate the notarization fee band of 0.05% to 0.15% based on contract value. We converted the schedule into practical percentage ranges foreigners can budget for. |
| Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC (PIT Guidance) | It's the official implementing guidance for Personal Income Tax on property transfers. | We used it to anchor the 2% PIT that applies to real estate transfers. We explained how this seller tax often becomes a buyer cost through contract negotiation. |
| Law on Value-Added Tax No. 13/2008/QH12 | It's the core VAT law passed by Vietnam's National Assembly. | We used it to explain when VAT applies in residential purchases, mainly developer sales. We cross-checked practical treatment to avoid overstating VAT risk for resale buyers. |
| Law on Non-Agricultural Land Use Tax No. 48/2010/QH12 | It's the national law that defines Vietnam's recurring land-related tax for residential land. | We used it to explain the annual property tax owners pay in Hai Phong. We translated the rate structure into practical yearly budget expectations. |
| Hai Phong Resolution 85/NQ-HDND (2026 Land Price Table) | It's the local government resolution setting official land prices effective January 1, 2026. | We used it to explain what's unique to Hai Phong in 2026 regarding assessed-value calculations. We recommended budgeting a buffer for potential differences from market prices. |
| Circular 40/2021/TT-BTC (Rental Income Tax) | It's the Ministry of Finance circular setting VAT and PIT rules for individual rental income. | We used it to estimate the 10% rental income tax rate for landlords above the threshold. We converted the rules into simple budgeting guidance for rental investors. |
| KPMG Vietnam Tax Alert on Circular 40 | It's a Big-4 firm's practical summary of how rental tax rules work in practice. | We used it to verify how Circular 40 applies to real-world landlord situations. We relied on it to keep rental tax guidance practical and accurate. |
| Savills Vietnam (Apartment Fees Guide) | It's a major global real estate firm with clear consumer-facing fee explanations. | We used it to explain recurring owner costs like service charges and maintenance funds. We also used it to justify realistic monthly budget ranges for Hai Phong apartments. |
| PwC Tax Summaries (Vietnam CIT) | It's a widely used professional reference that is regularly updated and reviewed. | We used it to provide context on the 20% Corporate Income Tax rate for company purchases. We kept it as background information rather than detailed filing guidance. |
| Vietnam Briefing (Property Tax Guide 2025) | It's a respected business publication that tracks Vietnam's tax and regulatory changes. | We used it to verify current property tax rates and recent regulatory updates. We cross-referenced its summaries with primary legal texts for accuracy. |
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