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Vietnam switched to apostille on 11 September 2026

On 31 December 2025 Vietnam deposited its instrument of accession to the 1961 Hague Convention. The Convention entered into force for Vietnam on 11 September 2026, making it the 129th contracting party.

For anyone preparing Ukrainian documents for Vietnam, this means a shorter and cheaper route.

What changed

Previously, documents went through consular legalisation: the relevant ministry, then Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the Vietnamese consulate. Three authorities, each with its own timeline and fee.

Now a single apostille from the Ukrainian authority is enough. The Vietnamese consulate drops out of the chain.

Who issues apostilles in Ukraine:

  • Ministry of Justice — civil registry certificates, court decisions, notarial documents
  • Ministry of Education and Science — diplomas, school certificates, transcripts, academic references
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs — police clearance certificate

An apostille does not replace translation

This is the most common misunderstanding. An apostille confirms that a signature and seal on a document are genuine — nothing more.

If the document is not in Vietnamese, it still has to be translated, and the translation certified in line with Vietnamese law.

The order matters: apostille the original first, translate afterwards, together with the stamp. Translate first and you will pay for the translation twice — the second time with the apostille included.

If you started legalisation before 11 September

  • Documents legalised before 11 September remain valid. Nothing needs redoing.
  • Apostilles issued before the Convention took effect are also accepted in Vietnam.

What to do now

For new documents, consular legalisation is no longer needed — get an apostille. It is cheaper and faster than full legalisation.

Either way, check the requirements of the receiving party: a university, employer or government body in Vietnam may have its own rules for how the translation must be certified. Check which route your country needs.

Not sure which route is shorter for your document — write to us and we will advise at no charge. Translation from one working day; we give you the apostille timing for your specific document. Documents are accepted at the office or by Nova Poshta.