Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Vietnam to the United Arab Emirates
For families bringing someone home to the United Arab Emirates. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Need help now?
Send us the detailsKey facts
Repatriation from Vietnam to the United Arab Emirates: what to expect
Vietnamese nationals work in the UAE in professional and service roles. This corridor handles cases where a UAE-based Vietnamese national has a family member die in Vietnam and needs remains brought to the UAE. Vietnamese documentation requires certified translation for UAE attestation.
- Key documents: Giay chung tu (death certificate, in Vietnamese) and certified English translation
- Documentation takes 7-14 days. Vietnamese documentation requires certified translation.
- United Arab Emirates Embassy in Hanoi can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
In United Arab Emirates
When the body arrives in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE funeral home or government mortuary takes custody at Dubai International (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International (AUH) cargo terminal. UAE Ministry of Health clearance is required before burial or cremation. All foreign documentation must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and authenticated by UAE authorities. (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, 2025.)
Consular support
UAE Embassy in Hanoi handles attestation of repatriation documents. Contact the UAE Embassy in Vietnam for document authentication requirements. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) can be reached via the UAE Embassy during business hours.
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.
Step by step
Timeline: Vietnam to the United Arab Emirates
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
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
United Arab Emirates 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
United Arab Emirates funeral director takes custody. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Vietnam to the United Arab Emirates
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Vietnam to the United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates Embassy in Hanoi can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Hanoi as soon as possible after the death.
The UAE funeral home takes custody at Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH) cargo terminal. UAE Ministry of Health clearance is required. All documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin. Islamic remains require certification for Islamic burial; non-Islamic remains follow separate procedures.
Yes. Cremation in Vietnam and bringing the ashes home to the United Arab Emirates is an option. You will need the giay chung tu, cremation certificate, and export permit. Ashes can be carried on a passenger flight.
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 the United Arab Emirates.
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