Are foreigners allowed to join the Vietnam Trade Union?

Are foreigners allowed to join the Vietnam Trade Union from July 1, 2025? Do foreigners working in Vietnam have to pay union dues? Are foreigners allowed to join the Vietnam Trade Union? Do foreigners working in Vietnam have to pay union dues? Let’s find out in this article with Faro Vietnam!

1. Are foreigners allowed to join the Vietnam Trade Union from July 1, 2025?

On November 27, 2024, the National Assembly passed the Trade Union Law 2024, replacing the Trade Union Law 2012. The Trade Union Law 2024 takes effect from July 1, 2025.

Accordingly, the Trade Union Law 2024 stipulates the functions, tasks, rights and responsibilities of the Vietnam Trade Union; the rights of workers to establish, join and operate trade unions; joining the Vietnam Trade Union of employees' organizations at enterprises; rights and responsibilities of trade union members; responsibilities of the State, agencies, organizations, units, enterprises, and employers towards trade unions; ensuring trade union activities; resolving disputes and handling violations of the law on trade unions.

Foreign employees to join Vietnamese trade unions

2. Pursuant to Article 5 of the Trade Union Law 2024, there are regulations on subjects eligible to join the Vietnam Trade Union as follows:

Right to establish, join and operate trade unions

2.1. Vietnamese workers have the right to establish, join and operate trade unions.

2.2. Foreign workers working in Vietnam under labor contracts with a term of 12 months or more are eligible to join and operate trade unions at grassroots trade unions.

2.3. The establishment, joining and operation of trade unions shall comply with the provisions of the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union, this Law and other relevant legal provisions.

Thus, from July 1, 2025, foreigners are allowed to join the Vietnam Trade Union. However, foreign workers who are allowed to join and participate in trade union activities at the grassroots trade union must meet the condition of working in Vietnam under a labor contract with a term of 12 months or more.
 

Are foreign workers eligible to be admitted to the Vietnam Trade Union?

3. Do foreigners working in Vietnam have to pay union dues?

According to Article 29 of the 2024 Trade Union Law, the regulations on trade union finance are as follows:

Trade union finance

3.1. Trade union financial sources include:

• a) Trade union dues paid by trade union members in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the Vietnam Trade Union;
• b) Trade union funds paid by agencies, organizations, units, enterprises, cooperatives, and cooperative unions at 2% of the salary fund used as the basis for compulsory social insurance for employees;
• c) State budget support;
• d) Other sources of revenue from cultural, sports, and economic activities of the Trade Union; from projects assigned by the State; from legal aid and sponsorship from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals in accordance with the provisions of law.

3.2. The Government shall prescribe the method, time limit and source of payment of trade union dues; in cases of non-payment or late payment of trade union dues; State budget support content is specified in Point c, Clause 1 of this Article.

4. Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 5 of the 2024 Trade Union Law, the right to establish, join and operate trade unions is stipulated as follows:

According to the above provisions, trade union fees are paid by trade union members in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of Vietnam Trade Unions.

Foreign employees who are foreign citizens working in Vietnam under a labor contract with a term of 12 months or more are allowed to join and operate trade unions at grassroots trade unions. Therefore, foreign employees must still pay trade union fees if they join and operate trade unions at grassroots trade unions.

5. What are the documents and procedures for joining the Vietnam Trade Union for foreign workers?

• A written request to join the Vietnam Trade Union;
• Copies of documents showing the legality of the organization of employees at the enterprise;
• Documents showing the decision of the organization of employees at the enterprise to join the Vietnam Trade Union; the procedure for approving the decision to join the Vietnam Trade Union is implemented according to the provisions of the law on labor;
• A list with signatures of members voluntarily joining the Vietnam Trade Union;
• Documents and agreements according to the provisions of relevant laws on resolving the rights and obligations of the organization of employees at the enterprise and its members related to the organization of employees at the enterprise.

If you need assistance in joining the Vietnam Trade Union for expatriates, please contact Faro Vietnam directly for advice and to provide services in the most professional and effective way!

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