You have a Vietnamese company, a work permit, and a tax code. You need to sign contracts, submit tax filings, or complete online government procedures, but every portal asks for a chữ ký số (digital signature) that you do not have. The forms are in Vietnamese, the certificate authority's requirements are not written for foreigners, and every blog post you find seems to assume you are a Vietnamese citizen with a citizen ID card. The process is not designed to be difficult for foreigners, but it is designed around a Vietnamese identity framework that does not map cleanly onto a passport and a temporary residence card. This guide walks you through the legal framework, the two pathways to obtaining a digital signature certificate as a foreigner in Vietnam, the exact documents required, and the common mistakes that cause applications to be rejected.
What Legal Framework Governs Digital Signatures in Vietnam?
Vietnam's digital signature regime has been substantially updated. The governing statutes and regulations you need to be aware of are:
- Law on Electronic Transactions No. 20/2023/QH15 (the "LET 2023"), passed on June 22, 2023, which replaced the 2005 Law on Electronic Transactions and took effect on July 1, 2024. This law establishes the overall legal framework for electronic transactions, electronic signatures, and trust services in Vietnam.
- Decree No. 23/2025/ND-CP on electronic signatures and trust services, which replaced Decree No. 130/2018/ND-CP and provides detailed regulations on digital signatures, certificates, and the management of certification service providers.
- Decree No. 48/2024/ND-CP, which amended certain provisions of Decree 130/2018/ND-CP, including the documents required for foreign subscribers applying for digital certificates.
- Circular No. 06/2024/TT-BTTTT, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications on July 1, 2024, effective August 15, 2024, which regulates the recognition of foreign electronic signatures, foreign certificates, and foreign certification authorities in Vietnam.
The key distinction you need to understand is between chữ ký điện tử (electronic signature) and chữ ký số (digital signature). An electronic signature is a broad concept — a scanned image of your signature, a typed name at the end of an email, or a symbol inserted into a document. A digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature created using asymmetric cryptography, where a private key encrypts the signature and a public key verifies it. Only a digital signature, backed by a digital certificate issued by a licensed certification authority, carries the full legal weight of a wet signature and company seal under Vietnamese law.
Can a Foreigner Get a Vietnamese Digital Signature Certificate?
Yes. A foreign individual lawfully present in Vietnam can obtain a public digital signature certificate from a licensed Vietnamese certification authority (CA). The legal basis for this is set out in Article 23 of Decree 130/2018/ND-CP (as amended by Decree 48/2024/ND-CP), which specifies that for an individual subscriber, the attached documents include a passport or a Level-2 electronic identity account.
For foreign individuals specifically, the document requirements under Decree 23/2025/ND-CP (the successor to Decree 130) are as follows:
- A valid passport; and
- A valid entry visa or a document proving visa exemption for foreign individuals.
If you are a foreign organization or a foreigner applying for a license to use a foreign digital certificate in Vietnam, you must additionally provide a document issued by a competent authority allowing you to lawfully operate in Vietnam.
Required Documents Checklist for Foreign Applicants
Based on the official regulations and the standard practice of licensed certification authorities, prepare the following documents for your digital signature certificate application:
- Application form for digital certificate issuance (Giấy đề nghị phát hành chứng thư chữ ký số công cộng), completed in paper or electronic form using the template provided by the certification authority.
- Valid passport — a certified true copy or a copy presented with the original for verification.
- Valid entry visa or document proving visa exemption — a copy, for foreign individuals.
- Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or equivalent residency document, if applicable.
- Work permit or document confirming lawful employment in Vietnam, if applicable.
- Tax code (Mã số thuế) — your personal tax identification number.
- Certificate of enterprise registration (if applying on behalf of an organization) — a copy of the enterprise registration certificate or investment certificate.
- Contract for digital signature services — signed between you (or your organization) and the certification authority.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
The application process involves several stages, from choosing a certification authority to receiving your digital certificate and USB token (or remote signing activation). The general sequence is as follows:
- Choose a licensed certification authority. Vietnam has several licensed public digital signature certification service providers, including EFY-CA, VNPT-CA, Viettel-CA, FPT-CA, and MISA eSign, among others. Each has its own application process, pricing, and document requirements for foreign applicants.
- Contact the CA and confirm requirements. Before you submit anything, contact the CA's customer service or visit their office to confirm exactly which documents they require from a foreign individual. Requirements vary by provider.
- Complete the application form. The CA will provide you with the application form (Giấy đề nghị phát hành chứng thư chữ ký số công cộng). Complete it in Vietnamese or English as instructed, using the exact information from your passport and visa.
- Prepare supporting documents. Assemble your passport, visa, TRC, work permit, tax code, and any organizational documents. Certified translations may be required for foreign-language documents.
- Submit the application and verify your identity. Submit your completed application and documents to the CA. The CA will verify your identity, either in person at their office or through their remote verification process if they offer one.
- Sign the service contract. Sign the digital signature service contract with the CA. This establishes the terms of service and the duration of your certificate.
- Pay the service fee. Payment can typically be made by bank transfer or through electronic payment methods. The fee covers both the digital certificate and the USB token (if using a token-based solution) or the remote signing activation.
- Receive your digital certificate. Once your application is approved and payment is confirmed, the CA will issue your digital certificate. Depending on the provider, this may be loaded onto a USB token that you collect in person, or activated through a remote signing application on your smartphone.
Form Field-by-Field Translation & Breakdown
The application form for a public digital signature certificate is issued by each certification authority in their own format, but the core fields are consistent across providers. Below is a translated breakdown of the key fields you will encounter.
APPLICATION FORM FOR PUBLIC DIGITAL SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE
(Giấy đề nghị phát hành chứng thư chữ ký số công cộng) SECTION 1 – SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION [01] Full name (as in passport, CAPITAL LETTERS): ........................
[02] Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy): ....../....../..........
[03] Gender: [ ] Male [ ] Female
[04] Nationality: ........................
[05] Passport number: ........................
[06] Date of issue: ....../....../..........
[07] Place of issue: ........................
[08] Visa / TRC number: ........................
[09] Visa / TRC expiry date: ....../....../..........
[10] Tax code (Mã số thuế): ........................
[11] Phone number: ........................
[12] Email address: ........................ SECTION 2 – ORGANIZATION INFORMATION (If applicable) [13] Organization name: ........................
[14] Enterprise registration number: ........................
[15] Tax code of organization: ........................
[16] Legal representative name: ........................
[17] Legal representative passport number: ........................ SECTION 3 – CERTIFICATE TYPE REQUESTED [18] Type of certificate: [ ] Personal digital certificate [ ] Organizational digital certificate [ ] Both personal and organizational
[19] Duration requested: [ ] 1 year [ ] 2 years [ ] 3 years SECTION 4 – DECLARATION AND SIGNATURE I hereby declare that the information provided above is true and correct.
I agree to the terms of service of the certification authority. Date: ....../....../.......... Signature:
[Your Signature]
[Your Full Name]
Key filling rules:
- Write your full name in the exact order and spelling used in your passport, in CAPITAL LETTERS. The CA's system will match your name against the passport data.
- Your passport number and visa/TRC number must be entered exactly as they appear on the documents. A mismatch will result in rejection.
- If you are applying on behalf of an organization, the legal representative's information must match the company's enterprise registration certificate exactly.
- For the certificate type, most foreign individuals applying for personal use should select "Personal digital certificate." If you also need to sign on behalf of the company, you may need an organizational certificate, which requires additional documents.
Fees, Processing Time & Submission Locations
Fees for digital signature certificates in Vietnam vary by certification authority, certificate duration, and whether you choose a USB token-based solution or a remote signing service. The following price ranges are drawn from publicly available price lists from Vietnamese certification authorities:
- EFY-CA: New registration (certificate + USB token) for a 1-year package is 880,000 VND; 2-year is 1,320,000 VND; 3-year is 1,540,000 VND. Renewal prices are lower.
- MISA eSign (remote signing): Packages start from approximately 2,400,000 VND per year for invoicing packages, with additional setup fees for remote signing activation.
- VNPT SmartCA: A free 12-month package is available when registering directly through the VNeID application. Standard packages vary by features and duration.
Processing time: The exact timeline depends on the certification authority and whether your documents are complete. Most CAs process applications within a few business days once the file is complete and payment is confirmed. Verify the current processing time directly with your chosen CA, as these timelines are not fixed by regulation.
Submission locations: You can submit your application at the CA's office, through their online portal, or via the National Public Service Portal (Cổng dịch vụ công quốc gia) at https://dichvucong.gov.vn or the Ministry of Information and Communications' portal at https://dichvucong.mic.gov.vn.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Submitting an expired visa or passport. Your passport must be valid, and your visa or TRC must be current at the time of application. An expired document will result in immediate rejection.
- Using a passport copy that does not match the original. Certification authorities verify your identity against the original documents. Any discrepancy in your name, passport number, or date of birth will cause rejection.
- Applying without a tax code. For individuals who need a digital signature for tax filing or invoicing, a personal tax code (Mã số thuế) is required. If you do not yet have one, you must obtain it before applying for the digital certificate.
- Assuming your foreign digital signature is automatically recognized. If you already hold a digital signature from your home country, it is not valid in Vietnam until you complete the recognition procedure with the MIC under Circular 06/2024/TT-BTTTT.
- Not verifying the CA's specific document requirements. Each certification authority has its own document checklist for foreign applicants. Some require certified translations, others require the original documents to be presented. Contact the CA before you prepare your file.
- Applying through the wrong portal. The National Public Service Portal and the MIC's portal are for specific procedures. Submitting your application through the wrong channel will delay processing.
- Missing the organization's legal representative documents. If you are applying on behalf of a company, the legal representative's passport and the enterprise registration certificate must be submitted alongside your personal documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can a foreigner obtain a Vietnamese digital signature certificate?
Yes. A foreign individual lawfully present in Vietnam can obtain a public digital signature certificate from a licensed Vietnamese certification authority. Under Decree 23/2025/ND-CP, the required documents for a foreign individual include a valid passport and a valid entry visa or document proving visa exemption.
Q2: What documents do I need to apply for a digital signature certificate as a foreigner?
You need a completed application form from the certification authority, a valid passport, a valid entry visa or visa exemption document, your Temporary Residence Card (if applicable), your tax code, and if applying on behalf of a company, the enterprise registration certificate and the legal representative's identification documents.
Q3: Is my foreign digital signature valid in Vietnam?
Not automatically. If you hold a digital signature certificate issued by a foreign provider, it must be recognized by the Ministry of Information and Communications under Circular 06/2024/TT-BTTTT before it can be used in Vietnam. The recognition procedure involves submitting an application and supporting documents to the MIC.
Q4: How much does a Vietnamese digital signature certificate cost?
Fees vary by certification authority and certificate duration. Based on publicly available price lists, a new 1-year personal certificate with a USB token from EFY-CA costs 880,000 VND, a 2-year package costs 1,320,000 VND, and a 3-year package costs 1,540,000 VND. Remote signing services from providers such as MISA and VNPT have different pricing structures. Always confirm the current fee with your chosen CA.
Q5: How long does it take to get a digital signature certificate in Vietnam?
Processing times vary by certification authority and depend on the completeness of your application. Most CAs process applications within a few business days once the file is complete and payment is confirmed. Verify the current processing time directly with your chosen CA, as these timelines are not fixed by regulation.