Vietnam has grown significantly as a destination for British tourists and backpackers, particularly around Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Ha Long Bay. The administrative systems are different from those in other Asian origins, and the language is not English, making a local funeral director essential. This guide answers the questions families ask after a death in Vietnam.
For the full process and embassy detail, see our complete guide to repatriation from Vietnam. This article focuses on the practical questions.
The People’s Committee and registration
Death registration in Vietnam is handled by the local People’s Committee at district level. Once the death is registered there, the committee issues the death certificate. For a sudden or unexplained death, a police report and potentially a forensic examination must come first, before registration can proceed.
All documents are in Vietnamese and require certified translation before they can be used in the UK.
North and south: the two hubs
Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport are the two main departure points for international cargo. The UK route is served from both, though capacity and schedules vary. A death in a central location, such as Da Nang or the central highlands, will typically involve a domestic transfer to one of the two hubs.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication
After the local documentation is assembled, the export papers require authentication by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the body can travel. This is the final administrative step before the cargo is booked. It adds time but is a standard part of the process.
For further guidance, see our articles on repatriation from Asia: realistic timeline expectations and who pays for repatriation when someone dies abroad.