Vietnam Consular Legalisation & Apostille: What Has Changed

Vietnam Consular Legalization Documents – SK Document Centre

Short answer: For years, Indian documents for Vietnam followed the standard consular legalisation sequence: state attestation → MEA attestation → Vietnam Embassy legalisation. Vietnam joined the Apostille Convention with effect from 11 September 2026, so an MEA apostille is now the expected route, but practice is still settling. Confirm the current requirement before you start.

Searches like “standard sequence document attestation India for Vietnam” and “Vietnam embassy consular legalization documents from India procedure” show how confusing this has been. Here is the old sequence, the new one, and what to do during the changeover.

The old standard sequence

Notary, for affidavits and copies
State attestation: HRD for educational, SDM / Home Department for personal, Chamber of Commerce for commercial
MEA attestation
Consular legalisation by the Embassy of Vietnam
Translation into Vietnamese and certification in Vietnam, where required

The new apostille route

With Vietnam’s accession to the Hague Apostille Convention taking effect on 11 September 2026, the expected route becomes:

State attestation (unchanged)
MEA apostille
Translation in Vietnam, if required

What to do during the changeover

Ask the receiving office in Vietnam whether it accepts the apostille yet.
Keep the instruction in writing.
If a document was legalised under the old route before the change, it is generally still valid. Check with the office.
For work permits, follow your employer’s latest checklist.

Documents commonly needed

Purpose	Documents
Work permit	Degree, experience letters, PCC
Marriage	Single status certificate, birth certificate
Business	Company documents, POA

See Vietnam attestation for our service details.

Going to Vietnam and not sure which route applies? Send a photo of the document or the instruction you received on WhatsApp or call +91 93109 70010. We tell you the exact process, time and charges before you spend anything.

Frequently asked questions

Does Vietnam accept the apostille now?

Vietnam’s accession took effect on 11 September 2026. Practice is still settling, so confirm with the receiving office.

What was the standard sequence for Vietnam?

State attestation, MEA attestation and then Vietnam Embassy consular legalisation.

Is Vietnamese translation needed?

Often yes, usually done in Vietnam.

Are old embassy-legalised documents still valid?

Generally yes, but check with the receiving office.