A new brand asks for a collab, promises to pay your fee once the post goes live — then goes quiet after you've published. This is a real risk creators in Vietnam (and everywhere) face. Escrow is a neutral intermediary that holds payment until both parties confirm the agreed conditions have been met.
Important: This article is for general information only — it is not a substitute for professional legal or financial advice. For high-value contracts, consult a qualified lawyer or financial professional.
What is payment escrow?
Escrow is a third-party holding service: the brand deposits funds into an escrow account before you start work. Once you deliver and both parties confirm completion, the funds are released to you. If there's a dispute, the escrow provider mediates before releasing payment.
When should you use escrow?
- New brands with no collaboration history with you
- Large projects with significant fees
- International brands that are hard to reach directly
- Complex deliverables with multiple milestones
Practical escrow approaches for Vietnam-based creators
Escrow via freelance platforms
If the brand agrees, use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com — all have built-in escrow systems. The brand deposits funds, you complete the work, payment releases after confirmation.
Contract + partial upfront payment
The most practical approach for the Vietnamese market: require 50% deposit before starting, 50% on delivery. Combine with an electronic contract (via email or an e-signature app) to document the agreement.
Milestone payments
Split the project into milestones, each with its own payment. Example: 30% on signing, 30% on draft delivery, 40% on final delivery.
Key clauses to include in collab agreements
- Specific deliverable description (content type, quantity, platform)
- Clear timeline
- Revision policy (how many rounds, within what timeframe)
- Completion conditions (what counts as "done" for payment release)
- Cancellation terms for both parties
Also see legal entity setup guide for Vietnam creators and creator sponsorship rate calculator template.
Save contract templates via @KlypioBot. Manage at Klypio app — see Pro plans.