Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Vietnam
For families bringing someone home to Vietnam. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Vietnam: what to expect
Vietnam is a growing destination for British tourists and business travellers, with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi popular on Southeast Asian itineraries. A small British expat and business community is established in Vietnam's major cities. The British Embassy in Hanoi is fully operational. When someone from the United Kingdom dies in Vietnam and their family wishes to repatriate remains, the death is registered with the local People's Committee civil status office. A Ministry of Health import permit is required for the receiving country. Vietnam is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; the Vietnamese Embassy in London can advise on consular legalisation requirements. Appoint a specialist on the day of death. (FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Vietnam; Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Vietnam High Commission or Embassy in London for documentation requirements. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly.
- Vietnam Embassy in London can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Kingdom to Vietnam
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Vietnam High Commission or Embassy in London.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI). Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Vietnam High Commission or Embassy in London notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Vietnam
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Vietnam funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
What happens after a death in the United Kingdom
Call 999 for emergency services. Death is certified by a physician or, where necessary, the coroner. The death must be registered at the local register office in England and Wales within 5 days, or with the National Records of Scotland or GRONI in Northern Ireland. The coroner takes jurisdiction for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths and must issue a removal order before the body can leave England and Wales. The United Kingdom is a Hague Apostille Convention member. Coroner cases add time: the coroner must be satisfied the body may leave before issuing the order for removal out of England and Wales.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United Kingdom to Vietnam
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Vietnam takes 4-8 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 3-4 weeks. Complex cases can take 8-16 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly. Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: death certificate with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Vietnam Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Vietnam Embassy in London as soon as possible after the death.
Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Vietnamese funeral director takes custody at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. The local People's Committee civil status office handles death registration. A Ministry of Health import permit is required. All foreign documents require certified Vietnamese translation and legalisation through the Vietnamese Embassy in the origin country. Vietnam is not a Hague Apostille member; full consular legalisation is required. The receiving funeral director coordinates with the People's Committee civil status office.
Cremation in the United Kingdom is widely available. A second medical certificate is required for cremation before the body can be removed. If the coroner is involved, a coroner's certificate replaces the second medical certificate. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
In Vietnam
When the body arrives in Vietnam
The Vietnamese funeral director takes custody at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. The local People's Committee civil status office handles death registration. A Ministry of Health import permit is required for all incoming remains. All foreign documents must be accompanied by certified Vietnamese translation and legalised through the Vietnamese Embassy in the country of origin. Vietnam is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; full consular legalisation is required for all documents. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. (Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
The Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Vietnam. Vietnam is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; legalisation of origin country documents must go through the Vietnamese Embassy in London. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in the United Kingdom, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to Vietnam.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Frequently asked questions