How to Choose a Good Real Estate Agency in Vietnam

Published on October 2, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Vietnam’s Real Estate Market: How to Choose a Trustworthy Agency

Vietnam’s booming real estate market is attracting an increasing number of international investors, but navigating through numerous agencies can be challenging. Choosing the right agency is essential to successfully operate in this dynamic and constantly evolving environment.

In this article, we highlight five characteristic signs of a trustworthy and competent agency, specifically within the Vietnamese context, that will help you optimize your real estate investments. Discover how to identify exemplary practices in transparency, local knowledge, and customer service to ensure you make the right choice.

How to Identify a Reputable Agency in Vietnam

Required Certifications and Licenses

To operate legally, a real estate agency in Vietnam must hold a business license issued by the government, along with real estate practice certificates for its agents. These certificates are issued by the Department of Construction in the province or centrally-run city where the agency is registered. Starting July 1, 2025, the organization of exams and issuance of certificates are decentralized to local construction services, in accordance with Decree 144/2025/ND-CP.

To verify the authenticity of these documents:

• Ask to see the business license and agents’ practice certificates.
• Verify their validity with the local construction department (online or in person).
• Ensure the agency has at least two agents holding valid brokerage certificates.

Warning: Operating without these certificates exposes the agency to administrative fines and is a red flag.

Signs of Professionalism

A reputable agency can be recognized by several signs:

• Clear and detailed contracts: All transaction terms are explicitly specified without ambiguity.
• Transparency about fees: Commissions, additional costs, and payment terms are communicated upfront.
• Responsive customer service: Availability, quick responses to inquiries, personalized follow-up before and after signing.

Reputation Verification

To assess an agency’s reliability, it’s important to:

• Read client reviews on specialized platforms or forums dedicated to Vietnamese real estate.
• Ask for personal recommendations from expatriates or investors who have used their services.
• Check if the agency has received industry awards or mentions in professional media.

Comprehensive Range of Services

The most reputable agencies typically offer:

• Administrative support: Handling paperwork (file submission, certificate acquisition, etc.)
• Legal assistance: Verifying property titles, securing transactions, helping with contract drafting and signing.
• Tax and financial advice: Guidance on local taxation, estimation of additional costs.

Service Offered	Brief Description
Administrative Support	Handling procedures with local authorities
Legal Assistance	Legal verification of documents and property titles
Tax and Financial Advice	Help understanding taxes and fees related to the transaction

Membership in Professional Associations

Membership in a recognized professional association (such as the Vietnam Real Estate Association – VNREA) serves as a guarantee of seriousness and ethical commitment. This membership implies adherence to a code of conduct and participation in ongoing training.

Key Takeaways

• Always verify licenses and certificates with the relevant authorities.
• Prefer agencies that demonstrate transparency and high service standards.
• Rely on the agency’s reputation, recommendations, and professional involvement in the sector.

Red Flags to Avoid with Real Estate Agents

Practices to Avoid with Real Estate Agents in Vietnam:

• Withholding Crucial Information
  Some agents intentionally omit important details about the property (structural issues, associated debts, reached foreign quotas) or sale conditions. This practice harms the client’s decision-making and constitutes an ethical breach.
• Lack of Transparency in Communication and Price Negotiation
  A reliable agent should clearly explain the buying or leasing process, justify each cost or additional fee, and unambiguously present the property’s actual price. Vagueness around fees often hides an intent to unduly increase the commission at the client’s expense.
• Excessive Pressure to Close Quickly
  Some agents use tactics to push for urgent signing (e.g., “this property will be gone tomorrow,” “there are already multiple offers”), without giving the client necessary time to think or verify information. This pressure is a major red flag.
• Unprofessional Behavior
  • Repeated delays for appointments.
  • Absence from scheduled viewings.
  • Failure to honor written or verbal commitments.
  These attitudes indicate a lack of seriousness and can significantly complicate any real estate transaction.

Key Points	Concrete Signs to Watch For
Withholding Information	Refusal to provide certain documents
Lack of Transparency	Vague explanations about fees
Pressure	Unusual insistence to sign quickly
Unprofessionalism	Frequent delays, missing appointments

Essential Verification Before Any Transaction:

• Systematically request professional references from previous clients who bought/sold with this agent.
• Consult independent online reviews (specialized websites, local forums).
• Ensure the agent has proven experience in the local Vietnamese market along with all necessary accreditations.

Also Watch Out For:

Excessive Commissions or Fees Without Clear Justification

• Fees significantly higher than local standards should raise concerns. Always request a detailed quote and compare with multiple agencies if needed.
• An excessively high commission may mask an attempt to financially exploit the client rather than providing a genuinely premium service.

Understanding Real Estate Agency Agreements in Vietnam

Key Elements of a Real Estate Agency Agreement in Vietnam

An agency agreement in Vietnamese real estate formalizes the relationship between a principal (client, often the owner) and a real estate agency or agent. It governs the search, sale, or lease of a property and protects the interests of both parties.

Main Constituent Elements:

• Contract Subject: Specifies the property concerned (address, characteristics), the intended operation (sale, lease), and the services expected from the agency.
• Agreement Duration: Typically contractually fixed (often 3 to 6 months for a sale). In Vietnam, practices vary by region – in major cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the duration is often more regulated to avoid disputes.
• Remuneration Terms: The commission paid to the agency is specified as a percentage of the sale price or as a fixed fee. Common example: commission between 1% and 3% of the final amount upon a successful transaction. Payment occurs only upon success (“success fee”).
• Legal Obligations of the Parties
  • Principal: Provide all necessary documents about the property (official “pink book” title), guarantee the property is free of other claims, and respect financial commitments.
  • Real Estate Agency:
    • Loyally inform the client about the local market
    • Verify the legal validity of the title (“pink book”)
    • Draft all contracts in compliance with local laws (in Vietnamese or bilingual)
    • Correctly register each transaction with local authorities

Common Special Clauses in Vietnam

• Exclusivity: The agreement can be exclusive or non-exclusive; in the latter case, multiple agencies can operate simultaneously.
• Penalty Clause: Provides for compensation in case of faulty non-performance by either party.
• Suspensive Conditions: For example, prior obtaining of specific administrative approvals for certain properties owned by foreigners.

Element	Common Practice in Vietnam	Local Particularities
Duration	3 to 6 months	Flexible outside major cities
Commission	1% to 3%	Sometimes up to 5% outside urban areas
Exclusivity	Frequent but not systematic	Subject to negotiation

Fair Protection & Legal Security

A precisely drafted contract protects:

• Clients against any concealment of the property’s actual condition through the agency’s obligation of full disclosure;
• The agency against any abusive withdrawal through clear penalty clauses;
• Both parties through a legal framework allowing recourse before a notary and local land administration.

Concrete example:
In nearly 80% of transactions conducted through recognized agencies in major Vietnamese metropolises over the past five years, no major disputes were reported when the contract adhered to these standards (statistic based on local sector reports).

A balanced contract therefore guarantees transparency and security for both foreign and local investors.

Checklist – Essential Points Before Signing:

• Exhaustive verification of the title (“pink book”)
• Clear definition of agency missions/limits
• Complete detail of commissions/additional fees
• Certified translation if necessary
• Penalty clause adapted to local stakes

Any breach exposes both principal and agency to civil or even criminal penalties depending on severity.

Tips for Choosing a Reliable Real Estate Partner

Essential Criteria for Identifying a Reliable Real Estate Partner in Vietnam:

• Background and Reputation Check
  • Prefer agencies or agents recommended by trusted third parties or through word-of-mouth.
  • Consult the agency’s online presence (website, client reviews, social media).
  • Evaluate their time in the market and experience in the sector.
  • Verify if the agency is affiliated with recognized professional organizations.

Tips for Verifying References and Professional Accreditations

• Systematically ask to see official accreditations (professional license, membership in a local real estate chamber).
• Require presentation of recent client references with verifiable contact details.
• Contact several former clients directly to obtain objective feedback on service quality.

Criterion	Why It’s Important	How to Verify
Recommendations	Proven reliability	Online reviews, personal network
Online Presence	Transparency and accessibility	Official website, social media
Professional Accreditations	Legal and ethical guarantee	Official documents, organizations
Client References	Actual service quality	Direct testimonials

Transparency in Business Practices

• Ensure all fees (agency fees, commissions) are clearly explained from the start.
• Request a written contract detailing each service and its associated cost.

Key points regarding transparency:

• All fees must be unambiguously listed before signing
• A written quote should be provided to avoid misunderstandings
• The agent must answer financial questions precisely

Assessment of Local Market Knowledge

• The agent should demonstrate a fine understanding of local specifics (average prices by neighborhood/city, recent market trends).
• They should be able to present several properties matching the desired profile and explain their objective advantages/disadvantages.

Recommendations:

• Ask specific questions about different neighborhoods or market segments
• Request a comparative analysis between several options

Ability to Understand and Respond to Specific Needs

• A good agent takes time to listen to your particular requirements: exact budget, desired property type (residential/commercial), intended stay/investment duration…
• They adapt their proposals accordingly rather than imposing their own catalog

Tips:

• Provide a clear list of your priorities from the beginning
• Evaluate whether the contact person tailors their research or remains generic

Availability and Responsiveness

To guarantee continuous support:

• Prefer an agent easily reachable via phone/WhatsApp/email; test their response speed during initial exchanges
• Ensure they offer regular follow-up throughout the process until legal completion

Practical Checklist for Choosing Your Real Estate Partner in Vietnam:

1. Verify personal recommendations/reliable public reviews
2. Check official licenses/accreditations
3. Demand total transparency on all costs
4. Test local expertise through concrete questions
5. Observe active listening & adaptation to individual needs
6. Measure availability/responsiveness during initial contacts

A reliable real estate partner combines recognized local experience, contractual transparency, sharp on-the-ground knowledge, and personalized attention throughout your project