Vietnamese residential projects levy several standard mandatory fees:

1. Management Fee (Phí quản lý)

This is a mandatory monthly payment for the maintenance of common areas, elevators, security, cleaning, and general building management.

• Calculation: Typically set per square meter (VND/m²/month).
• Range: Depending on the project class, it ranges from 15,000 to 35,000 VND per m²/month (approx. $0.60–$1.40).
• Payment Start: Begins immediately after Handover, regardless of whether the owner lives in the apartment.

2. Sinking Fund (Phí bảo trì)

This is a one-time, non-refundable fee earmarked for major capital repairs of the building (e.g., roof repair, facade, elevators, pumps) several years down the line.

• Amount: Legally mandated at 2% of the unit price before VAT (excluding land).
• Payment: Paid to the Developer as a lump sum along with the final payment for the apartment (Handover).
• Management: The fund is transferred to the Residents' Committee for management 1–2 years after occupancy.

3. Parking Fees

• Car: Fixed monthly fee. The number of spaces may be restricted for foreigners.
• Motorbike: Small monthly fee.

4. Utilities

• Electricity, water: Tariffs are state-set and paid based on meters.
• Internet and TV: Paid directly to service providers.

Rental Income Tax

Foreign owners who rent out their property must pay Rental Income Tax, which is calculated as a percentage of the Gross Rental Income and includes two components:

• Value Added Tax (VAT): 5% of the annual income.
• Personal Income Tax (PIT): 5% of the annual income.
• Total Rate: Effectively 10% of the gross rental income.

Important Note: The tax is only levied if the annual rental income exceeds 100 million VND.

Renovation and Leasing Rules

To maintain order and safety, owners must adhere to strict regulations:

• Renovation (Fit-Out): Prior permission must be obtained from the Property Management and, in some cases, the Developer before commencing any work.
• Leasing: Short-term rentals (e.g., via Airbnb) are often prohibited or strictly limited in residential projects and are only permitted in serviced apartments or commercial properties.
• Registration: The owner is obligated to register tenants with the local police (directly or via the Property Management Company).

Pink Book Issuance (Certificate of Ownership)

Although filing is part of the purchase process (Step 9 in Chapter 3), receiving the document itself is the final stage of ownership:

• Initiation: The Developer is typically responsible for filing the Pink Book application for foreigners.
• Timeline: Usually takes 3–12 months after construction completion and technical acceptance, depending on the workload of the local DONRE (Department of Natural Resources and Environment).
• Rights: The Pink Book is issued for a 50-year ownership term with renewal possibility (only for foreigners).