Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Vietnam to Belgium
For families bringing someone home to Belgium. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Vietnam to Belgium: what to expect
Vietnamese nationals form one of Belgium's established Asian communities, concentrated in Brussels. Belgium has historical ties with Vietnam through the French colonial connection to Indochina. This corridor handles cases where a Belgium-based Vietnamese has a family member die in Vietnam and needs remains brought to Belgium. Vietnamese documentation requires certified French or Dutch translation. The Belgian Embassy in Hanoi handles consular matters.
- Key documents: Giay chung tu (death certificate, in Vietnamese) and certified English translation
- Documentation takes 7-14 days. Vietnamese documentation requires certified translation.
- Belgium Embassy in Hanoi can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: Vietnam to Belgium
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country (citizens of Belgium: +32 2 501 8111).
Family or travel insurer
Death registered at local civil registry. Giay chung tu issued.
Certificate in Vietnamese only. Certified English translation required.
Local funeral director and civil registry
Belgium Embassy in Hanoi notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Choose correct consulate based on location of death.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation
Embalming required for international repatriation. Available in Hanoi and HCMC.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation completed
Allow 7-14 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Embassy or consulate notified
Once all documentation complete. Vietnam Airlines operates direct routes.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Belgium funeral director takes custody. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
The repatriation process from Vietnam
Call 113 for police or 115 for ambulance. A licensed physician must certify the death. Unexpected deaths and road accidents trigger police notification. Death registered with the local civil registry (nha nuoc). The giay chung tu is issued in Vietnamese only.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Vietnam to Belgium
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Vietnam to Belgium takes 10-14 days. Most cases take 14-21 days. Road accident deaths, where police must complete their investigation, can take 4-8 weeks.
The core documents are: Giay chung tu (Vietnamese death certificate) with certified English translation, Embalming certificate, Freedom from infection certificate, and Passport of the deceased.
The Belgium Embassy in Hanoi can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Belgium Embassy in Hanoi as soon as possible after the death.
The Belgian funeral director takes custody at Brussels Airport (BRU) cargo terminal. A transport authorisation is required before burial or cremation. The local commune or gemeente registers the death. All foreign documents require certified French or Dutch translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with the commune and local health authorities.
Yes. Cremation in Vietnam and bringing the ashes home to Belgium is an option. You will need the giay chung tu, cremation certificate, and export permit. Ashes can be carried on a passenger flight.
In Belgium
When the body arrives in Belgium
The Belgian funeral director (entrepreneur des pompes funebres or begrafenisondernemer) takes custody at Brussels Airport (BRU) or Liege Airport (LGG) cargo terminal. The local commune or gemeente registers the death with the Registre de la Population. A transport authorisation is required before burial or cremation. All foreign documents must carry a certified French or Dutch translation. (Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, FPS Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
Belgian Embassy in Hanoi can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Belgium. Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs emergency line: +32 2 501 8111 (24 hours). The Belgian 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 Vietnam, 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 Belgium.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in Vietnam (gov.uk) · Vietnam repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions