Is it necessary to hold university qualification to obtain architectural practice certificate in Vietnam?

Is it necessary to have bachelor degree to obtain architectural practice certificates in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 28 of the Law on Architecture in 2019 stipulating requirements for issuance and renewal of architecture practicing certificates in Vietnam as follows: 

1. Requirements for issuance of architecture practicing certificates shall be regulated as follows:

a) The intended applicant must hold university or higher qualification in the architecture sector;

b) The intended applicant must have at least 3 years of experience acquired from previous involvement in providing architectural services or partnership with other self-employed practicing architects;

c) The intended applicant must successfully pass the test for eligibility to receive architecture practicing certificate.

2. Requirements for renewal of architecture practicing certificate shall be regulated as follows:

a) Architecture practicing certificate has expired;

b) Ongoing career development is guaranteed;

c) There is none of violations against rules of professional conduct for practicing architects.

3. Persons spending at least 10 successive years directly involving in exercising state management of architecture, taking university education or other higher training courses in the architecture sector or directly practicing architecture will be granted exemption from the requirements prescribed in point c of clause 1 of this Article.

4. Persons winning national or international architecture awards can be exempted from the requirements prescribed in point b of clause 1 of this Article.

As regulations above, you are not eligible to obtain an architectural practice certificate as you only graduated from a college. To obain architectural practice certificates, you shall hold university or higher qualification in the architecture sector.

Where to obtain architectural practice certificates in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 29 of the Law on Architecture in 2019 stipulating issuance and renewal of architecture practicing certificates in Vietnam as follows: 

1. Persons applying for issuance and renewal of architecture practicing certificates shall submit one set of documentation in person, online or by post to entities specialized in the architecture sector under the control of provincial-level People’s Committees.

2. Regulatory authorities specialized in architectural activities that are put under the control of provincial-level People's Committees shall be authorized to establish a council to consider issuing and renewing architecture practicing certificates. The council shall be composed of representatives of regulatory authorities specialized in architecture under the control of provincial-level People's Committees, socio-professional associations in practice of architecture or research institutes, establishments providing training courses in architecture and/or architecture experts.

3. The council and members of the council authorized to consider issuing and renewing architecture practicing certificates shall bear responsibility before law and to the person making the decision on establishment of the council for its counsels and advices.

4. Members of the council authorized to consider issuing and renewing architecture practicing certificates may hold multiple offices; the council shall be automatically closed after completion of assigned missions.

5. The Government shall set out specific regulations on documentation and application requirements and procedures for issuance and renewal of architecture practicing certificates.

As regulations above, if you are eligible to obtain an architectural practice certificate, you shall submit one set of documentation in person, online or by post to entities specialized in the architecture sector under the control of provincial-level People’s Committees.

Best regards!