Long-Term Stay in Vietnam: Finding Your Digital Nomad Home

Most advice about moving to Vietnam for a few months skips the dull but important parts: which visa you are on, whether it covers the work you do, and how a landlord registers you with the police. In 2026 Vietnam still has no dedicated digital nomad visa, so you build your stay from existing pieces. This guide covers that paperwork and the costs, so you can plan a stay of one to six months without surprises.

Visa Routes for a One to Six Month Stay

Your first decision is how you enter, because it sets how long you can stay without a sponsor.

• Visa exemption: Citizens of several countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea, can enter for 45 days without a visa. The list has been extended and widened since 2023, so check the current list on the official immigration portal before you fly.
• E-visa: Anyone can apply online for up to 90 days. Fees are USD 25 (about VND 650,000) for single entry and USD 50 (about VND 1.3 million) for multiple entry. Processing usually takes three to five working days.
• Visa on arrival: This needs an approval letter from an agent. It is more expensive than the e-visa and has little advantage now.

For a stay under 90 days, a multiple-entry e-visa is the simplest option. For six months, you normally leave the country before your 90 days end and re-enter on a new e-visa. A short flight to Bangkok, Seoul or Singapore does this. Some agents offer tourist visa extensions inside Vietnam, but approval is not guaranteed, so never plan around one.

Overstaying has real consequences: fines, possible deportation and an entry ban. Put your visa end date in your calendar with a reminder two weeks ahead.

Working Remotely: What the Law Actually Says

Tourist visas and visa exemptions do not give you the right to work in Vietnam. Vietnamese law is aimed at people employed by, or providing services to, Vietnamese entities. A freelancer or employee who works quietly for foreign clients on a laptop is in a grey area. Enforcement against this is rare, but the law gives you no formal protection either.

Some practical points follow from this:

• Do not take local clients, teach English or do any paid work for a Vietnamese company on a tourist visa. This is where people actually get fined or deported.
• Do not tell border officers you are “working”. Say you are visiting as a tourist.



• If your employer is abroad, check whether your contract allows work from another country. Some employers now require approval for this.

If you need a clearer legal footing, the next section covers the alternatives. They are more expensive and need a Vietnamese sponsor.

Business Visas, Work Permit Exemptions and the Temporary Residence Card

A business visa (DN category) needs a Vietnamese company to sponsor you. It can be valid for up to a year, but it is meant for people doing real business activity with that company. It is not a shortcut for remote workers. Agent fees for sponsored visas typically run from USD 150 to USD 400, depending on length and entry type.

Longer stays use the Temporary Residence Card (TRC), which lets you live in Vietnam for one to five years without border runs. To get one, you usually need:

1. A sponsor, such as an employer, a company you own or invest in, or a family connection.
2. Either a work permit or a documented work permit exemption. Exemptions cover certain company owners, board members, investors and specialists. The rules were updated in 2025, so ask an agent for current requirements.
3. A clean record, passport pages with enough validity, and proof of your Vietnamese address.

Government fees for a TRC are roughly USD 145–165 depending on duration, but agent packages including paperwork run much higher, often USD 400–1,000. Processing takes about two to four weeks. A TRC rarely makes sense for stays under six months. It becomes worth it if you plan to stay a year or more or want to set up a Vietnamese company.

Health Insurance: What You Need and What It Costs

Vietnam does not require proof of health insurance for a tourist visa. That does not mean you should go without it. Public hospitals are cheap but crowded, and many foreigners go to private international hospitals, where a consultation costs VND 1.2–2.5 million (USD 45–95) and a short hospital stay can reach thousands of dollars.

The main options in 2026:

• Nomad travel insurance: Plans from providers like SafetyWing or World Nomads cost roughly USD 45–90 per four weeks for adults under 40. Check exclusions for pre-existing conditions and motorbike accidents.
• International expat plans: Cigna Global and similar providers cost around USD 100–250 per month, with higher premiums for older applicants and for outpatient and dental cover.
• Local plans: Vietnamese insurers offer cheaper policies, but cover limits are lower and many hospitals expect upfront payment before claims.

Read the motorbike clause carefully. Many policies cancel cover if you ride without a valid licence, and a standard foreign licence without the correct Vietnamese recognition can count as unlicensed.

Renting Long-Term: Contracts, Deposits and Police Registration

You can find a place in two ways. Serviced apartments and monthly rentals from hosts cost more but are flexible, with cleaning, wifi and utilities included. Direct rentals from landlords are cheaper but usually expect a six- to twelve-month contract.

A typical direct rental works like this:

• Deposit: One to two months’ rent, held until you leave. Take photos of every wall, appliance and mark on day one.
• Payment: Rent is paid monthly or quarterly, often in cash or by bank transfer in VND.
• Utilities: Electricity runs roughly VND 3,000–4,500 per kWh (USD 0.12–0.17). Air conditioning can double a bill. Water is a small fixed amount, and fibre internet costs VND 200,000–300,000 (USD 8–12) a month.
• Early exit: Many contracts allow a break clause after three months. Negotiate it before you sign.

Your landlord or host must declare your stay to local police, usually within 24 hours of arrival. This is now often done online through the national digital system. Ask for confirmation that it was done. Hotels do it automatically, but private landlords sometimes forget, and that can cause trouble at a later visa renewal.

2026 Budget Reality: Rent and Living Costs

These are typical monthly costs for one person, using about VND 26,000 to USD 1. Rent is for a furnished studio or one-bedroom.

• Budget: Rent VND 8–12 million (USD 310–460). Living costs, including local meals, a rented scooter at VND 1.2–2 million (USD 46–77) and a data SIM, add VND 7–10 million (USD 270–385). Total: VND 15–22 million (USD 580–850).
• Mid-range: Rent VND 15–25 million (USD 580–960). Living costs, including a mix of local and Western food, a gym and ride-hailing, add VND 12–18 million (USD 460–690). Total: VND 27–43 million (USD 1,040–1,650).
• Comfortable: Rent VND 30–60 million (USD 1,150–2,300) for a modern apartment with a pool or gym. Living costs add VND 25–40 million (USD 960–1,540). Total: VND 55–100 million (USD 2,100–3,850).

Mid-range one-bedroom rents differ by city:

• Ho Chi Minh City: About VND 18–28 million (USD 690–1,080), the highest of the three.
• Hanoi: About VND 15–24 million (USD 580–920), with higher heating and air-conditioning bills across the seasons.
• Da Nang: About VND 12–18 million (USD 460–690), usually the lowest of the big three, though long-term supply is thinner.

As a rough comparison, the mid-range total is often half of what a similar lifestyle costs in London, Sydney or San Francisco. Short-term rentals add a premium of 20–40%, so a month-to-month serviced apartment will cost noticeably more than a six-month lease.

Banking, SIM Cards and Tax Residency

• Cash and cards: ATMs usually cap withdrawals at VND 3–5 million per transaction and charge VND 20,000–50,000 in local fees on top of your home bank’s fee. International transfer services help you avoid heavy conversion costs.
• Local bank account: Banks often ask for a visa that is valid for several months, or a TRC. Many nomads manage without one by renting through hosts who accept transfers or cash.
• SIM cards: Since 2024, SIM registration needs passport details and, in many cases, face verification. Do it at a carrier shop with your passport. Monthly data plans cost VND 100,000–200,000 (USD 4–8) with strong 4G and 5G coverage in cities.
• Tax: If you spend 183 days or more in Vietnam within a calendar year or 12 consecutive months, you can become a Vietnamese tax resident. Check your home country’s rules as well, and speak to an accountant before passing the five-month mark.

What Has Changed Since 2024

Several shifts affect long-term planning in 2026:

• Longer e-visas: The 90-day, multiple-entry e-visa, introduced in 2023, is now the standard base for longer stays.
• Digital registration: Police stay declarations and many visa services have moved online, which makes landlord compliance easier to check.
• Transport: Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line opened in late 2024, and Hanoi’s lines continue to expand. This slowly changes which parts of each city are practical without a motorbike.
• Province mergers: The 2025 administrative reorganisation reduced Vietnam’s provinces and expanded some, including Da Nang. Addresses and ward offices may have changed, so use up-to-date forms.
• Tighter work rules: Work permit regulations were updated in 2025. Immigration officers and agents are more careful about the difference between tourism and employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa in 2026?

As of early 2026, Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers usually stay on a 90-day e-visa or a 45-day visa exemption, or hold a business visa or residence card through a sponsor. Officials have discussed a nomad category, so check the official immigration portal before applying.

Can I stay in Vietnam for 6 months?

Yes, but not on one entry. The e-visa lasts up to 90 days, so six months means applying for a second e-visa after leaving and re-entering, or using a sponsored business visa or residence card. Extensions on tourist visas exist through agents but are not guaranteed, so plan your dates with a buffer.

Is health insurance required for a long stay in Vietnam?

Health insurance is not required for a tourist e-visa, and officers rarely ask for it at the border. Even so, a private hospital stay can cost hundreds of dollars a day without cover. Most remote workers carry international travel or expat insurance with medical evacuation, which costs roughly USD 50–250 a month depending on age and coverage.

Do I pay tax in Vietnam as a remote worker?

You can become a Vietnamese tax resident if you spend 183 days or more in Vietnam within a calendar year or 12 consecutive months. Residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates. Rules on foreign-sourced income are complex, so speak to an accountant who knows your home country’s tax treaty with Vietnam before passing the six-month mark.

How much does a monthly rental cost in Vietnam?

A furnished studio or one-bedroom costs about VND 8–12 million (USD 310–460) at budget level, VND 15–25 million (USD 580–960) mid-range, and VND 30 million (USD 1,150) or more for comfortable living. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City sit higher than Da Nang, which is usually cheaper.

📷 Featured image by Darren Lawrence on Unsplash.