Tam Tru in Da Nang: What Foreigners Renting Apartments Must Do

💡 Under Vietnamese law, every foreigner's overnight stay must be declared to the local ward police by the accommodation operator, whether that is a hotel, a guesthouse, or an Airbnb host. Hotels do this automatically at check-in. If you are staying in a private rental in Da Nang, confirm your host registers your stay.

What is tam tru, and does it apply to my rental?

Tam tru means temporary residence registration in Vietnamese. Under Vietnamese law, every person who stays overnight anywhere in Vietnam must have their stay registered with the local ward police (cong an phuong) for that address. This applies equally to Vietnamese citizens and foreigners. The rule is national, so it covers Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, and every other location in Central Vietnam.

The person responsible for filing the registration is the accommodation operator, not the guest. Your hotel manager, guesthouse owner, Airbnb host, or private landlord files it on your behalf. You do not need to visit the police station yourself for this purpose.

Does my hotel register me automatically?

Yes. Licensed hotels, resorts, hostels, and official guesthouses in Da Nang are required to register all guests, including foreigners, with the ward police as part of standard check-in. When the front desk scans or photocopies your passport, that process is partly for this registration requirement. You do not need to do anything extra.

This is one reason hotels always ask for your passport at check-in, even for a one-night stay. Keeping a photocopy is normal and legally required of them.

What if my Airbnb or rental host does not register me?

Private rentals and informal Airbnb listings are also legally required to register their guests, but not every host does it in practice. The legal responsibility sits with the operator, not with you as the guest.

However, an unregistered stay can create complications if police check your accommodation, or if you later apply for a visa extension at the Da Nang Immigration Office. The safest step is to ask your host on arrival: "Have you registered my tam tru with the ward police?" A responsible host will confirm they have done it, or will do it that day.

Decree 282/2025/ND-CP (effective 15 December 2025) sets administrative fines for accommodation operators who fail to register guests. Confirm the exact amounts against the current official decree text before relying on any specific figure.

Staying in Da Nang long-term: what your landlord must do

If you rent an apartment or room in Da Nang for an extended period, the registration requirement still applies. Your landlord must register your stay with the ward police covering your rental address. This is relevant if you need to renew your visa at the Da Nang Immigration Office, as the office checks your declared residence address. Our guide on Da Nang visa overstay and extensions covers what to bring.

If you are planning a long stay in Central Vietnam, confirm your landlord will file the registration before you move in, or ask them to do it right away. A landlord familiar with the process will handle it routinely.

Who do I contact if there is a problem?

The Da Nang Visitor Center at (0236) 3 550 111 is the city's official contact point for foreigners who need administrative or legal help. The office is at 108 Bach Dang, Da Nang, with desks also at the airport. Staff can route you to the right ward police office or immigration contact.

For visa or residence issues, the Da Nang Immigration Office for Central Vietnam is at 78 Le Loi, reachable at 0694 260 192 or 0906 091 269. The US Embassy in Hanoi also publishes guidance on entry and residency requirements for foreigners in Vietnam. If you need to file a police report for any reason, the same ward police offices handle both registration and reports.

FAQ

Do I need to go to the ward police myself to register tam tru?

No. The accommodation operator (hotel, landlord, or Airbnb host) files the registration on your behalf. You do not need to visit the ward police yourself for this purpose unless there is a separate reason to do so.

My Airbnb host says registration is not their responsibility. Is that correct?

No. Vietnamese law requires all accommodation operators, including private landlords and Airbnb hosts, to register their guests with the local ward police. The host takes on the legal responsibility and the risk of any fine. If your host refuses, contact the Da Nang Visitor Center at (0236) 3 550 111 for guidance.

Does tam tru registration affect my visa or legal status?

Not directly, but registration records at your declared address may be checked when you extend or change your visa at the immigration office. Gaps in registration can slow that process. For overstay questions, see our guide on visa overstay and extensions in Da Nang.

I am in Hoi An, not Da Nang. Does the same rule apply?

Yes. The tam tru registration requirement is national. Hoi An, Hue, and all of Central Vietnam follow the same rule. Your accommodation operator must register your stay with the local ward police for the address where you are staying.

What is the ward police and how do I find the right office?

The ward police (cong an phuong) is the local police station for your specific administrative ward. Since mid-2025, Vietnam no longer has a district tier, so you deal directly with ward-level offices. Your host knows which ward police station covers your rental address.

Official sources

• U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, visas and entry/exit requirements - confirms residency registration obligations for foreigners staying in Vietnam. Verified September 2026.
• Vietnam Immigration Department portal - official government source for visa and residence rules. Verified September 2026.