Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa: Your Long-Term Stay Options Explained

You found a laptop-friendly plan, a rental listing, and a flight, then hit the question that stops most people: which visa lets you stay three months without trouble? Vietnam still has no dedicated digital nomad visa in 2026. What it has is a set of short-stay entry rules and longer-stay visas that were not designed for remote workers, so you need to know which one fits your situation.

Does Vietnam Have a Digital Nomad Visa in 2026?

No. As of early 2026, Vietnam has not launched a visa category for remote workers. Officials have discussed the idea for years, and new residency rules appear from time to time, but nothing in the immigration law names “remote work” as a purpose of stay. Check the official immigration portal before you book anything, because rules here can change by government decree with little notice.

Most remote workers fall into one of three groups:

• Short-stay visitors who enter on visa exemption or an e-visa and work for foreign clients or employers.
• Sponsored visa holders who get a business, student, or investor visa tied to a Vietnamese entity.
• Employees of Vietnamese companies who need a work permit or a valid exemption.

Short-Stay Entry: Visa Exemption and the 90-Day E-Visa

For stays of one to three months, this is the route most remote workers use. Two options apply.

Visa exemption

Citizens of a list of countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and several Nordic states, can enter without a visa for 45 days. The government extended this policy to March 2028 and added more nationalities during 2025. Some ASEAN passport holders get 30 days or more, depending on the country. Phu Quoc Island separately allows a 30-day visa-free stay for most nationalities. Check your passport against the current list before you travel, as nationalities have been added more than once.

E-visa

Since August 2023, every nationality can apply for an e-visa valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Before that change, e-visas were limited to 80 countries and 30 days, so this is a major improvement.

• Single entry: US$25 (about 650,000 VND)
• Multiple entry: US$50 (about 1,300,000 VND)
• Processing: usually 3 working days
• Requirements: passport valid for at least 6 months, a digital photo, a scan of the passport data page

The e-visa is valid at all international airports and at land and sea border crossings. Nothing in it asks for proof of remote income. The stated purpose is tourism, which is why this route sits in a grey area for ongoing work, covered below.

Extending an e-visa inside Vietnam is unreliable. Some agents offer it, but outcomes vary by province and officer. Most people who want more than 90 days exit the country and re-apply, or choose one of the longer-stay visas below.

Longer-Stay Visas: Business, Student, Investor and Family Routes

If you plan to stay beyond 90 days, you need a visa tied to a sponsor or a legal purpose. Each category has different strengths.

Business visa (DN)

A DN visa requires an invitation from a Vietnamese company or organisation. It can be issued for up to 12 months with multiple entries, depending on the sponsor and your documents. It suits people who have genuine business activity in Vietnam, such as meetings with a local partner or a consulting contract. It does not suit someone who simply wants a longer tourist stay. Agents arrange sponsorship for a fee, but the sponsoring company takes on legal responsibility for you, so be sure the arrangement is real.

Student visa (DH)

Enrolling in a Vietnamese language course at a licensed school can give you a student visa and, in many cases, a temporary residence card. Schools charge tuition, and you must actually attend. This is a legitimate route for people who want to learn the language, but it is not a workaround, and officials can check attendance.

Investor visa (DT) and the company route

Foreign investors who contribute capital to a Vietnamese company can receive DT visas, with residence terms that scale with the investment. The lowest tier, DT4 (under 3 billion VND, about US$115,000), allows up to 12 months. Higher tiers allow up to 3, 5, or 10 years. Setting up a company involves legal fees, accounting, and ongoing compliance, so this is overkill for a six-month stay. It makes sense only if you want a long-term base.

Family visa (TT)

Spouses, parents, and children of Vietnamese citizens or of foreigners holding a residence card can get TT visas and cards. This is the most stable long-term option, but it applies only if you have a qualifying relationship.

Temporary residence card (TRC)

A TRC replaces repeated visa applications. It is issued for roughly 1 to 5 years, depending on your visa type and sponsor, and the government fee is around US$145 for terms up to two years. Tourist visas and e-visas do not qualify. You must hold a visa category that allows a card, such as LD, DT, DH, or TT, and apply through your sponsor.

Work Permits and Exemptions: Where Remote Work Fits

Vietnam requires a work permit for foreigners working for a Vietnamese employer. If you are employed locally, you need one unless you qualify for an exemption.

The standard requirements are:

• A university degree and typically at least three years of relevant experience
• A criminal record check from your home country, legalised for use in Vietnam
• A health certificate
• A sponsoring employer

Processing usually takes two to three months. Agent fees commonly run 10–25 million VND (about US$400–950), plus document translation and legalisation costs.

Exemptions exist for company owners or capital-contributing members above a set threshold (3 billion VND for most cases), board chairs, intra-company transferees, and certain short-term assignments. These are narrowly defined, so confirm that your situation matches before relying on one.

Remote work for foreign clients is where things get unclear. The law regulates work for Vietnamese entities and does not clearly address a visitor who works on a laptop for a company overseas. Many nomads do this on tourist entry without issue, but you are technically using a tourism visa for a non-tourism activity. Keep your work discreet and out of the Vietnamese market. Do not take Vietnamese clients, do not do paid work on-site for a local business, and do not advertise services locally. If you want certainty, use a visa tied to a real purpose.

Tax Residency and the 183-Day Line

You become a Vietnamese tax resident if you spend 183 days or more in the country in a calendar year or in any 12 consecutive months from your arrival date. You can also qualify through a rental contract of 183 days or more with a regular residence. Tax residents are generally taxed on worldwide income, with progressive rates up to 35% under the standard scheme. Non-residents are taxed at a flat 20% on Vietnam-sourced employment income.

Vietnam has been revising its personal income tax rules, so confirm the current thresholds with a local accountant. Home-country rules also matter, and a double taxation treaty may apply. If you plan to stay over four months, get tax advice before you sign a lease, because the contract length can affect your residency status.

Health Insurance for Long Stays

No health insurance is required for e-visa or visa-exempt entry. Do not skip it anyway. A private hospital visit in Vietnam is affordable by Western standards, but a surgery or an overnight stay can cost hundreds of millions of VND.

• Nomad travel plans: about US$45–60 per month (roughly 1.2–1.6 million VND), with limited coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions
• International health plans: about US$100–300 per month (2.6–7.8 million VND), with broader cover and routine care
• Local private clinic consultation: about 800,000–2,500,000 VND (US$30–95) for a general visit at an international-standard clinic

If you apply for a work permit or a TRC through an employer, local social insurance rules may apply. Your sponsor should tell you what is required.

Renting Long-Term: Contracts, Deposits and Registration

Most landlords ask for a deposit equal to one or two months’ rent plus the first month in advance. Contracts of 6 or 12 months are standard, and short stays of 1–3 months usually cost more per month or go through serviced apartments. Electricity, water, internet, and building fees are often billed separately, so ask for the previous three months of bills. Electricity for foreigners is typically charged at residential rates, but some landlords charge a higher rate, so confirm it in writing.

Every foreigner must be registered with the local police within 24 hours of arriving at a new address. Hotels do this automatically. For private rentals, your landlord must submit the declaration, now mostly through an online portal. Ask for the confirmation, and keep a copy, as banks, SIM providers, and visa agents may request it.

Typical monthly rents for a one-bedroom or studio in 2026 (US$1 is roughly 26,000 VND):

• Hanoi: budget 7–10 million VND (US$270–385), mid-range 12–20 million (US$460–770), comfortable 25–45 million (US$960–1,730)
• Ho Chi Minh City: budget 8–12 million VND (US$310–460), mid-range 15–30 million (US$575–1,150), comfortable 35–60 million (US$1,350–2,300)
• Da Nang: budget 6–9 million VND (US$230–345), mid-range 9–16 million (US$345–615), comfortable 18–30 million (US$690–1,150)

2026 Budget Reality

Here is what a month in Vietnam costs in 2026, including rent, food, transport, insurance, and a local SIM. A Viettel or Mobifone data SIM with plenty of data costs around 150,000 VND (US$6) per month, and you need your passport and a face scan to register it.

• Budget: 14–20 million VND (US$540–770) per month. Small studio, street food and local restaurants, motorbike taxi apps, basic nomad insurance.
• Mid-range: 25–40 million VND (US$960–1,540). One-bedroom apartment with air conditioning, a mix of local and Western meals, regular ride-hailing, better insurance.
• Comfortable: 50–80 million VND (US$1,900–3,100). Modern serviced apartment, regular dining out, private clinic visits, domestic flights, international health plan.

Visa-related costs are extra. Food stays cheap: a bowl of pho runs 45,000–70,000 VND (US$1.70–2.70), and a ca phe sua da, strong and sweet over ice, costs 25,000–40,000 VND.

Choosing Your Route by Length of Stay

Match the visa to what you really plan to do.

• Up to 45 days: Use visa exemption if your passport qualifies. Otherwise, apply for a single-entry e-visa.
• 1–3 months: A 90-day e-visa is the simplest option. Choose multiple entry if you plan regional trips.
• 3–6 months: You have two realistic paths. Exit and re-enter on a new e-visa, or arrange a sponsored visa such as a student or business visa. Re-entry is simple but not guaranteed, and the sponsored options offer more stability at a higher cost.
• 6 months or more: Look at a TRC through a work permit, an investor structure, or a family relationship. Get legal advice on tax and registration.

Do not overstay. Fines start at 500,000 VND per day for short overstays and rise sharply with time, and long overstays can lead to deportation and re-entry bans. If your plans change, apply for an extension or leave before your visa expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a digital nomad visa in Vietnam in 2026?

No. Vietnam has not introduced a dedicated digital nomad visa as of early 2026. Remote workers usually enter on visa exemption or a 90-day e-visa, or they arrange a sponsored visa such as business or student. Check official government sources before travelling, as policy can change quickly.

Can I work remotely in Vietnam on a tourist e-visa?

The law does not clearly address it. Many people work for overseas employers on tourist entry without problems, but the visa is for tourism. Avoid working for Vietnamese clients, taking local paid jobs, or advertising services locally. A sponsored visa gives more legal certainty for longer stays.

How long can I stay in Vietnam on an e-visa?

An e-visa lasts up to 90 days and can be single or multiple entry. Extending it inside Vietnam is unreliable, and results vary by location. Most people leave and re-apply for a new e-visa. Overstaying carries daily fines and possible entry bans, so keep track of your expiry date.

Do I need a work permit to work from Vietnam?

You need a work permit if you work for a Vietnamese employer, unless you qualify for an exemption, such as owning a qualifying share of a company. Working remotely for foreign clients is not clearly covered by the permit rules. When in doubt, speak with a licensed immigration lawyer.

Will I pay tax in Vietnam as a remote worker?

You become a Vietnamese tax resident if you stay 183 days or more in a calendar year or in 12 consecutive months. Residents can be taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates up to 35%. Rules are being revised, so check with a local accountant before staying beyond four months.

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📷 Featured image by Rama Krushna Behera on Unsplash.