The National Assembly has passed the amended Construction Law, effective from July 1, 2026. Accordingly, the Construction Law (amended) expands the subjects of works exempted from construction permits, including 8 cases:
(1) State secret works; urgent and urgent construction works; works belonging to special public investment projects; works belonging to investment projects under special investment procedures; temporary construction works as prescribed in this Law; construction works in areas used for national defense and security purposes as prescribed by the law on land.
(2) The project under the public investment project is decided by the Prime Minister, heads of central agencies of the political organization, the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Supreme People's Court, the State Audit, the Office of the President, the Office of the National Assembly, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government, central agencies of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and of socio-political organizations, Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels to invest in construction.
(3) Construction works along routes in areas with two or more provincial-level administrative units; construction works along routes outside areas oriented for urban development, determined according to urban and rural planning or detailed industry planning approved by competent state agencies or approved by competent authorities.
(4) Sea works under offshore construction investment projects that have been assigned by competent authorities to operate sea areas; airports, works at airports, works to ensure flight operations outside airports.
(5) Advertising works not subject to construction permits according to the provisions of the law on advertising; passive telecommunications technical infrastructure works.
(6) Construction works under construction investment projects have been appraised by the specialized construction agency for the Feasibility Study Report, adjusted feasibility study report and have been approved according to regulations.
(7) Grade IV construction works, individual houses with a scale of less than 7 floors with a total floor area of less than 500m2 and not falling into one of the following areas: Functional areas, urban development areas identified in the city's general planning; functional areas, rural residential areas, urban development areas identified in the general urban planning of the province, under the city, general planning of economic zones, national tourist areas; construction areas identified in the general planning of communes; areas with architectural management regulations.
8. The repair or renovation works inside the works or the repair or renovation works on the outside of the works not adjacent to urban roads with requirements for architectural management according to the regulations of competent state agencies; the repair or renovation content does not change the purpose and function of use, does not affect the safety of the load-bearing structure of the works, ensures requirements for fire prevention and fighting, environmental protection, and the ability to connect technical infrastructure.
Accordingly, from July 1, 2026, building a single-storey house under 7 floors with a total floor area of less than 500m2 and not in one of the following areas does not require permission:
- Functional areas, urban development areas are identified in the city's general planning;
- Functional areas, rural residential areas, urban development areas identified in the general urban planning of provinces and cities, general planning of economic zones, national tourist areas;
- The construction area is determined in the commune general planning; the area has architectural management regulations.
