No digital nomad visa — here's what works instead
Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa
Last updated: July 2026
The short answer: it doesn't exist
Vietnam has no digital nomad visa as of July 2026 — no dedicated category, no portal, no regulations. The widely reported 10-year "Golden Visa" remains only a proposal with no legislative timeline. Nomads actually live in Vietnam on 90-day e-visas and periodic border runs.
Myths to ignore
- "Vietnam launched a nomad/Golden visa" — false. The 10-year Golden Visa is still a proposal as of mid-2026: no regulations, no application portal. Any site claiming it is live is wrong.
- The Talent Visa (SVEC) is real but irrelevant to nomads — it requires nomination by a Vietnamese institution.
- Working remotely for foreign clients on a tourist e-visa is a legal grey zone: tolerated in practice, not expressly permitted. Overstay fines reach ~VND 40,000,000 (~USD 1,500) and enforcement tightened in 2025–2026.
- "Visa on arrival letters" sold online are agent services; the official channel is the government e-visa portal (evisa.gov.vn).
What actually works
The real, legal routes for spending time in Vietnam as a remote worker:
E-visa (EV)
- Who it's for
- All nationalities — the realistic nomad option
- Duration
- Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry; border runs to reset are common but at officers' discretion
- Requirements
- USD 25 single entry / USD 50 multiple entry, applied online
45-day visa exemption
- Who it's for
- Citizens of 24 countries incl. UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, the Nordics and 12 more European countries (added Aug 2025). US, Canadian and Australian passports are NOT included
- Duration
- 45 days per entry, immediate re-entry allowed
- Requirements
- Free; passport validity rules apply. Current waiver resolutions run to 2028
Business visa (DN1/DN2)
- Who it's for
- People sponsored by a licensed Vietnamese company
- Duration
- Commonly up to 90 days; longer via sponsorship
- Requirements
- Vietnamese sponsor entity; does not permit local employment without a work permit
Investor visa (DT1–DT4) or work permit + LD visa
- Who it's for
- People who incorporate/invest in Vietnam or take a real local job
- Duration
- Multi-year temporary residence cards possible
- Requirements
- Capital tiers (DT) or employer-driven work permit (up to 2 years)
Short stays
Vietnam is outside Schengen and every stay is its own clock: 90 days on the e-visa (single or multiple entry) or 45 days visa-free for exempt nationalities, with immediate re-entry currently allowed. Tax residency triggers at 183 days in a 12-month period.
Counting days across countries?
Explore NomadSync's trip planner to organise your travel dates. Check permitted stays against official guidance.
Living Costs
Vietnam is one of Asia's cheapest quality bases — USD 700–1,300/month all-in is common in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, with fast internet and a huge café-workspace culture.
Ho Chi Minh City
Rent $300–$675/month for a 1-bed (District 7/Binh Thanh cheaper); coworking $60–$180/month; meals out $2–$6
Hanoi
Rent $300–$600/month for a 1-bed; coworking $60–$150/month; meals out $2–$5
Da Nang
Rent $250–$550/month for a 1-bed near the beach; coworking $50–$120/month; meals out $2–$5
Common questions
Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa?
No. As of July 2026 there is no nomad visa and the much-hyped 10-year Golden Visa remains a proposal with no regulations or application process. The practical route is the 90-day e-visa.
Is it legal to work remotely from Vietnam on a tourist e-visa?
It is a grey zone: remote work for foreign clients is tolerated in practice but not expressly permitted by any visa category. Keep your income foreign, don't take Vietnamese clients or employment, and never overstay — fines reach ~VND 40 million and enforcement tightened in 2025–2026.
Which passports get Vietnam's 45-day visa exemption?
24 countries as of 2026 — including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Nordics, Japan and South Korea, plus 12 more European countries added in August 2025. US, Canadian and Australian citizens are not included and need the e-visa.
Countries that DO have options
Nearby or comparable destinations worth considering
We review and update this guide regularly. If you spot an error, let us know.
Planning time in Vietnam?
Explore NomadSync's trip planner while you compare the available routes and check current rules with official sources.