Work Remotely from Vietnam: Complete Guide

Yes, you can work remotely from Vietnam for US/EU companies. Vietnam offers 90-day e-visas, affordable living costs, excellent Vietnamese coffee culture with great cafes for working, reliable internet in major cities, and incredible food. Cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang have growing expat communities and coworking spaces, making Vietnam an increasingly popular choice for remote workers.

Key Facts

Visa Options

Vietnam has significantly improved its visa options for travelers and remote workers in recent years:

E-Visa (Tourist)

The easiest option for most digital nomads:

Duration: 90 days (single or multiple entry)
Extensions: Cannot extend; must exit and reapply
Process: Apply online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
Cost: $25 USD
Processing: 3 business days typically
Eligible: Citizens of all countries (as of 2023)
Notes: Much easier than previous visa options; can reapply after exiting

Visa on Arrival

Available at international airports:

Duration: 30 days typically
Requirements: Pre-approval letter (purchased through agency)
Cost: $25-50 depending on agency + stamping fee at airport
Less common: E-visa is easier now

Business Visa (DN/DT)

For longer stays through business sponsorship:

Duration: 3-12 months (can be extended to 5 years in some cases)
Requirements: Vietnamese company sponsorship (can arrange through agencies)
Cost: $200-500 depending on duration and service
Process: More complex; typically arranged through visa agent
Benefits: Longer stay, can be extended in-country

Tourist Visa Runs

Common strategy among long-term digital nomads:

Exit Vietnam every 90 days (e-visa duration)
Popular destinations: Cambodia (Siem Reap), Thailand (Bangkok), Laos
Quick trips: Can do border run or short flight
Reapply for e-visa while abroad

Digital Nomad Visa

Vietnam does not currently have a dedicated digital nomad visa program (unlike Thailand’s LTR).

Important Reality: Like most countries, tourist visas don’t legally authorize work. Enforcement is minimal for remote workers, but technically you’re working without proper authorization. Many digital nomads use 90-day e-visa and do visa runs, understanding the gray area.

Tax Implications

Tax Residency

You become a Vietnamese tax resident if you:

Stay 183+ days in a calendar year, OR
Have permanent residence, rented accommodation for 183+ days, OR
Tax authorities deem you have habitual abode in Vietnam

Tax Rules for Remote Workers

Tax rates: Progressive 5% to 35% on employment income
Foreign income: Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income (in theory)
Business income: 20% flat rate or progressive scale
Tax treaties: Vietnam has treaties with 80+ countries

Practical Considerations

Most digital nomads stay under 183 days (doing visa runs every 90 days)
Vietnamese tax enforcement for foreign remote workers is minimal
Banking and rental contracts can establish residency even under 183 days
No tax ID (required to file taxes) means not in system
Enforcement is focused on Vietnamese nationals and formal employment

Recommendations

Stay under 183 days annually to avoid tax residency
Don’t register for tax ID unless required
Keep detailed records of entry/exit dates
Structure income through home country or foreign entities
If staying long-term, consult Vietnamese tax specialist
Understand tax treaty between Vietnam and your home country

Most short-term digital nomads (3-6 months) don’t engage with Vietnamese tax system at all.

Best Cities

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Vietnam’s economic hub and largest city.

Pros: Best infrastructure, fastest internet, most international, great food scene, vibrant nightlife, growing startup scene
Cons: Hot and humid year-round, traffic chaos, pollution, overwhelming for some, less cultural authenticity
Cost: $900-1,600/month
Districts: District 1 (central, convenient), District 2 (expat-heavy, Thao Dien), District 3 (local vibe, affordable)
Best for: First-time Vietnam visitors, those needing reliable connectivity, urban lifestyle

Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital with distinct culture and cooler weather.

Pros: Four seasons, rich history, Old Quarter charm, excellent street food, cheaper than HCMC, authentic Vietnamese culture
Cons: Cold/damp winter (Nov-Feb), less expat infrastructure than HCMC, more conservative, internet slightly slower
Cost: $700-1,300/month
Districts: Ba Dinh (government area, quiet), Hoan Kiem (central, busy), Tay Ho (West Lake, expat area)
Best for: Those wanting authentic Vietnam experience, culture enthusiasts, winter-tolerant nomads

Da Nang

Coastal city becoming top digital nomad destination.

Pros: Beach lifestyle, much less crowded, clean and modern, good internet, affordable, easy to navigate, beautiful beaches (My Khe)
Cons: Smaller expat community, less nightlife than HCMC/Hanoi, limited international flights, rainy season (Sept-Dec)
Cost: $700-1,400/month
Best for: Beach lovers, those wanting slower pace, surfers, first-time remote workers

Hoi An

Ancient town near Da Nang, charming and walkable.

Pros: UNESCO heritage site, beautiful architecture, lantern-lit streets, very affordable, peaceful, great for focus work
Cons: Small town (can feel limiting), fewer coworking options, very touristy, limited nightlife, hot summers
Cost: $600-1,200/month
Best for: Those needing quiet focused work time, cultural immersion, budget nomads

Nha Trang

Beach resort city with growing remote work scene.

Pros: Beaches, water sports, scuba diving, affordable, good weather (outside monsoon), seafood, less touristy than Thai islands
Cons: Very touristy (domestic and Chinese tourists), limited expat community, party vibe, less cultural authenticity
Cost: $700-1,300/month
Best for: Beach/diving enthusiasts, those wanting coastal life

Dalat

Mountain town with cool climate and unique vibe.

Pros: Cool weather (escape heat!), pine forests, French colonial architecture, coffee culture, creative community, peaceful
Cons: Small town, limited infrastructure, fewer expats, slower internet, remote location
Cost: $600-1,100/month
Best for: Those escaping heat, creatives, unique experience seekers

Timezone Overlap

Vietnam operates on Indochina Time (ICT, UTC+7), same as Thailand and Western Indonesia:

US Companies

East Coast (EST/EDT): 11-12 hours ahead
- 9am EST = 9pm-10pm Vietnam
- Overlap window: Late evening (8pm-midnight) for morning US hours
- Challenging for real-time collaboration
West Coast (PST/PDT): 14-15 hours ahead
- 9am PST = 11pm-midnight Vietnam or 1am next day
- Nearly impossible for synchronous work
- Must be fully async or extreme sacrifices

EU Companies

UK (GMT/BST): 6-7 hours ahead
- 9am UK = 3pm-4pm Vietnam
- Excellent afternoon overlap
Central Europe (CET): 5-6 hours ahead
- 9am CET = 2pm-3pm Vietnam
- Perfect overlap for collaborative work

Australia/APAC

Sydney (AEDT): 3-4 hours behind Vietnam
- Good overlap
Singapore/Hong Kong: 1 hour behind or same time
- Excellent for regional work

Strategies for US companies:

Embrace async communication (documentation, recorded meetings, Slack/Discord)
Block early morning hours (5am-9am) if needed for critical meetings
Or accept late night availability (9pm-midnight) for US morning overlap
Quarterly in-person visits for critical face time
Be explicit about response time expectations

Reality check: Vietnam works excellently for EU and APAC companies. For US companies, you need an async-first culture or willingness to adjust schedule significantly.

Internet & Infrastructure

Internet Quality

Major cities (HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang):

Fiber widely available: 50-100 Mbps standard
Cost: $10-20/month for home fiber
Mobile 4G: Fast and reliable (Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone)
Coworking spaces: 100+ Mbps typically
Cafes: Often 20-50 Mbps (working from cafes is common)

Smaller cities/towns:

More variable but improving
4G mobile data is solid backup
Always test before committing to accommodation

Reality: Vietnam’s internet has improved dramatically. HCMC and Hanoi rival Bangkok for connectivity. Rural areas less reliable.

Power

Generally stable in cities
Voltage: 220V, 50Hz
Occasional outages in smaller towns
Air conditioning is energy-intensive (expect higher bills)

Coworking

Ho Chi Minh City:

Dreamplex: $150-250/month, multiple locations
Toong: $100-200/month
The Hive: $180-220/month
Circo: $150-200/month

Hanoi:

Toong: $100-180/month
WORK Saigon: $120-200/month
Hatch! Coworking: $100-150/month

Da Nang:

Enouvo Space: $80-120/month
iDesk: $70-100/month
Up Coworking Space: $60-90/month

Alternative: Many digital nomads work from cafes (very common in Vietnam). Highlands Coffee, The Coffee House, and local cafes have decent WiFi. Buying coffee ($2-3) is expected.

SIM Cards

Available at airport or phone shops (bring passport)
Viettel: Best coverage nationwide
Vinaphone: Good alternative
Mobifone: Budget option
Cost: $5-15/month for 3-6GB data (very cheap)
Prepaid is standard

Vietnam Remote Work Setup Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Vietnam compare to Thailand for remote work?

Cheaper than Thailand (especially food), more authentic/less touristy, amazing food culture, similar internet quality in cities. However: Less English spoken, more bureaucratic, fewer expat services, less developed nomad infrastructure. Thailand has better visa options (LTR) and more established nomad communities. Vietnam feels more 'adventurous' and authentic; Thailand is easier and more comfortable. Both excellent choices.

Is the visa situation difficult?

Not anymore. The 90-day e-visa (launched 2023) made it much easier. Apply online, get approved in 3 days, enter for 90 days. After that, you need to exit and reapply (visa run). It's not as convenient as Thailand's longer visa options, but workable. Visa runs to Cambodia or Thailand are common. Business visa (through agency) allows longer stays but costs more.

How's the food in Vietnam?

Incredible. Vietnam has some of the best food in Southeast Asia: pho, banh mi, bun cha, cao lau, fresh spring rolls, coffee culture. Street food is amazing ($1-3 per meal). Western food available in expat areas but less variety than Thailand. Vegetarian options improving. Food is huge reason people love Vietnam. You'll gain weight or discover amazing food culture (or both).

Do I need to speak Vietnamese?

English is less widespread than Thailand. In HCMC/Hanoi tourist areas, you can get by with English. Outside that, it's challenging. Learning basics is very helpful. Google Translate is essential. Younger Vietnamese speak more English. It's more difficult than Thailand but manageable. Learning some Vietnamese is respectful and makes life much easier.

What about safety and scams?

Generally very safe. Violent crime is rare. Common issues: Motorbike bag snatching (hold bags tightly), taxi scams (use Grab instead), overcharging tourists, fake money, drink scams in nightlife areas. Traffic is the biggest danger - crossing streets is intimidating at first. Use crosswalks, walk slowly and steadily. Women solo travelers generally feel safe. Standard precautions apply.

Is the traffic really that bad?

Yes. Millions of scooters, chaotic rules (or lack thereof), constant honking. HCMC and Hanoi traffic is overwhelming initially. Crossing streets: Walk slowly, steadily, make eye contact, let traffic flow around you (don't stop suddenly). Many expats use Grab instead of renting scooters. If you do rent scooter: Get international driving permit, wear helmet always, get insurance, practice in quiet areas, drive defensively.

What's healthcare like?

Good in major cities. HCMC and Hanoi have international hospitals (Family Medical Practice, Raffles, FV Hospital) with English-speaking doctors. Quality care for routine issues. For serious conditions, many expats fly to Bangkok or Singapore. Outside cities, healthcare quality drops significantly. Get comprehensive health insurance. Costs are reasonable with insurance. Pharmacies widely available for minor issues.

Should I work from HCMC or Hanoi?

Depends on preference. HCMC: Hotter, more international, better infrastructure, faster pace, more English, bigger expat community, better for first-timers. Hanoi: Cooler (winter can be cold/damp), more authentic culture, cheaper, four seasons, rich history, better street food (arguably). Both have good internet and coworking. Can't go wrong with either. Many nomads do 3 months in each. Da Nang if you want beach life.

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Last updated: January 20, 2026