Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa as of 30 October 2026. Its e-visa offers a stay of up to 90 days, but approval alone does not establish permission to work remotely. If you intend to keep working for an overseas employer or clients, settle that question before committing to accommodation. ExpatDen’s visa overview distinguishes the available routes; the Vietnam Immigration Department requires visitors to conduct activities consistent with their purpose of entry.
What the 90-day e-visa offers
The current government fees and limits are:
| Option | Maximum validity | Government fee | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$25 | One uninterrupted Vietnam visit |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | US$50 | Leaving and returning during the visa’s validity |
Fees are non-refundable if the visa is not granted. Applications for individuals are intended for foreigners outside Vietnam, and e-visa holders must use designated international border gates. These conditions come from the official e-visa portal.
Multiple entry does not mean a fresh 90 days each time you return. Plan around the validity dates printed on the approval, not a rolling three-month stay.
Some passports qualify for visa-free entry instead. For example, full British-citizen passport holders can visit for up to 45 days for tourism or business under UK government entry guidance. That is not a rule for every nationality—and visa exemption does not resolve your work-permission question.
Can you work remotely on an e-visa?
Do not treat an e-visa approval, overseas salary or coworking membership as confirmation that your work is authorised. The Immigration Department describes the visa as permission to travel to and enter Vietnam and requires activities to match the purpose of entry. UK government guidance separately directs anyone intending to work to check the required visa or work permit with Vietnam Immigration. Neither source provides explicit permission for the overseas remote-work scenario.
Before booking a working stay, describe your circumstances to Immigration or a qualified Vietnamese immigration adviser:
- Who employs you, or where your clients are based.
- What work you will physically perform in Vietnam.
- Whether you will serve Vietnamese customers or businesses.
- How long you intend to remain.
Ask for guidance specific to those facts, preferably in writing. Entry permission, work permission and tax obligations are separate checks; repeated short visits do not remove the need to assess them.
What about the new five-year visas?
Vietnam introduced UĐ1 for qualifying high-quality digital-technology personnel and other preferential categories, and UĐ2 for their spouses and children under 18, from 1 July 2026. These visas can be valid for up to five years, but they are not a general income-based nomad route. Applicants need evidence of qualifying status and an inviting or sponsoring agency, organisation or individual to handle the visa procedure. The official Cà Mau police explanation identifies the categories and effective date; Article 2 of Law 118/2025/QH15 sets out the evidence and sponsorship provisions.
A separate special visa-exemption card can also last up to five years for selected eligible foreigners. It permits up to 90 days per entry, or less if the card expires sooner—not five continuous years—according to VietnamNet’s account of Decree 221.
Apply before making the trip rigid
Use the government application portal, rather than assuming a commercial site’s service charge is the official visa fee.
- Check your passport. Vietnam Tourism states that foreign travellers need at least six months’ validity beyond arrival and two blank pages. Its entry guide gives an indicative processing time of three to five working days; allow additional time for corrections and holidays.
- Match the application to your route. Check passport details, requested dates and the exact entry checkpoint. Keep flights and the first accommodation refundable while approval is pending.
- Check the issued document. Save offline and printed copies. At arrival, check the stamped departure deadline before leaving border control, as advised in UK government entry guidance.
Do not build a six-month lease around an assumed extension or routine border run. The Immigration Department says an e-visa holder may qualify for a new visa through an eligible invitation or guarantee; that is not an automatic extension. Arrange a lawful onward plan before your permitted stay ends.
Choose one base, with a weather backup
Once your permissions are settled, book a short initial stay before taking a monthly rental. Check the actual room’s desk, evening noise and internet performance, plus a nearby indoor workspace.
For a December or January visit, Ho Chi Minh City is a practical weather alternative to a central-coast stay: Vietnam Tourism describes December–April there as generally hot and sunny, while Hoi An is rainy from September–January. These are seasonal patterns, not forecasts; use the official climate guide to choose a region, then check conditions before moving.
If explicit remote-work permission is essential to your plan, compare purpose-built routes in our digital nomad visa country guide rather than trying to turn Vietnam’s entry allowance into a work authorisation.