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Apostille of Vietnamese documents for use in Norway: steps, where, fees

Norway and Vietnam have both applied the Hague Apostille Convention since 11 September 2026. Most Vietnamese public documents for use in Norway now need an apostille from a Vietnamese authority instead of legalisation by the Norwegian Embassy.

Updated: Sources: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam — apostille and legalisation (30 September 2026), Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs — notice on receiving apostille applications (11 September 2026), MOFA Vietnam public service portal — procedure 1.116612, apostille certificate

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Quick answer

Since 11 September 2026, Vietnamese public documents for use in Norway are notarised, translated into English with a notarised translation, and then apostilled (original and translation) by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, at VND 30,000 per copy. Embassy legalisation remains only for a few document types.
Since 11 September 2026
Apostille in Hanoi (Consular Department) or Ho Chi Minh City (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Fee
VND 30,000 per copy
Time
1 working day (1–4 documents), 2 (5–9), 4 (10 or more)
Embassy legalisation
Only where still required; free, by appointment
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Steps

  1. Notarise

    At a notary office or the competent local authority (for example the ward People's Committee).

  2. Translate

    Documents only in Vietnamese are translated into English, and the translation is notarised.

  3. Apostille

    At the Consular Department, 40 Tran Phu, Hanoi, or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, 6 Alexandre de Rhodes. The Embassy says both the original and the translation need an apostille. Open Monday–Friday and Saturday morning, 8:30–11:00 and 14:00–16:00; fee paid by QR bank transfer.

Updated: Sources: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam — apostille and legalisation (30 September 2026), Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs — notice on receiving apostille applications (11 September 2026), MOFA Vietnam public service portal — procedure 1.116612, apostille certificate

When legalisation is still needed

  • Documents issued by diplomatic or consular missions, and administrative documents dealing with commercial or customs operations, still need legalisation.
  • Legalisation by the Embassy in Hanoi (consular.hanoi@mfa.no) or the Honorary Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City (norcons@norcons.org) is free and by appointment only.
  • The document owner normally applies in person; someone else needs a written authorisation.

Updated: Sources: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam — apostille and legalisation (30 September 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Do Vietnamese documents for Norway still need Embassy legalisation?
Most do not since 11 September 2026: an apostille from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs replaces it. Legalisation remains for documents from diplomatic or consular missions and commercial or customs documents.
How long does an apostille take?
1 working day for 1–4 documents, 2 for 5–9 and 4 for 10 or more, not counting any verification.