Complete Expat Guide Vietnam 2026 : Live, Work & Retire in Vietnam

Vietnam offers an unbeatable combination of ultra-low cost of living, delicious cuisine, dynamic cities and stunning natural scenery. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have thriving expat communities, with fast internet and a growing remote worker scene.

Updated: 20 May 2026 : Editorial Team, eVisa-Card.com

⚠️ Important 2026 update : Vietnam: 90-day e-Visa, passport validity & Digital Arrival Card

The Vietnam e-Visa is now 90 days, multi-entry and open to all nationalities through 83 ports of entry. From 1 March 2026 the 6-month passport validity rule is strictly enforced (boarding refused if passport expires before 1 September 2026). From 15 April 2026 the Digital Arrival Card is mandatory at Tan Son Nhat (HCMC), to be completed within 72 hours before arrival.

Effective: 1 March 2026 (passport rule) : 15 April 2026 (DAC HCMC)

Source: Vietnam Immigration Department

Vietnam at a Glance

Capital	Hanoi
Currency	Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Language	Vietnamese
Monthly cost	~$700-1,400/month

🛂 Visa & Residency Options

Available Visa Types

Visa Type	Details
E-Visa (90 days)	Available online for citizens of 80+ countries. Single or multiple entry. Maximum 90 days, not renewable without leaving. Cost: $25.
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)	For longer stays. Requires a sponsor (employer, Vietnamese spouse or an approved organisation). 1-2 year TRC, renewable. No specific income threshold.
Business Visa (DN)	For business activities. 3-12 months, multiple entry. Requires invitation from a Vietnamese company.
Investor / Company Director	Foreigners who invest in or direct a Vietnamese company can obtain a TRC through the company. Minimum investment ~$130,000.
Retirement / Long-Term Stay	Vietnam has no formal retirement visa. Most long-term expats use repeated e-visas, business visas or obtain a TRC through employment/marriage.

Step-by-Step Residency Process

Apply for an e-visa online at the official Vietnam Immigration Portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn)
Upon arrival, register your stay at the local police station or your accommodation does it
For long-term stay: find a sponsor (employer, school or Vietnamese partner)
Apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) at the Immigration Department
Obtain a tax code at the local Tax Department if working

💡 Pro Tip: As of 2023, Vietnam e-visas allow 90 days multiple entry for most nationalities. This is sufficient for many long-term nomads who do a short trip to a neighbouring country every 3 months.

🏥 Healthcare in Vietnam

Public Healthcare

Public hospitals in Vietnam are overcrowded and language-challenged. Expats generally avoid them for all but emergencies. Foreigners registered with a Vietnamese employer can access the public health insurance system (BHYT).

Private Healthcare

International private hospitals serve the expat community well in Hanoi and HCMC: Family Medical Practice, Vinmec International, Columbia Asia, FV Hospital (HCMC). Quality is good; costs are moderate.

Typical Healthcare Costs

Service	Estimated Cost
GP consultation (private expat clinic)	$40-80
Specialist consultation	$60-150
Emergency room	$100-300
Hospitalisation (international hospital, per night)	$300-800
Dental cleaning	$20-50
Prescription medicines	Very cheap : 30-80% cheaper than Western prices

ℹ️ Recommended: Always use international hospitals if available. While local hospitals handle emergencies, language barriers and differing standards make private care preferable for expats.

🛡️ Supplementary Health Insurance

Health insurance is not legally required for most expat visa categories in Vietnam, but it is essential. Medical evacuation from Vietnam to Singapore or Thailand for serious cases can cost $20,000-50,000 without coverage.

Top Providers for Expats

Bao Viet Insurance
Vietnam's largest insurer. Affordable local plans from ~$400/year. Limited English support.

Baoviet Health + PVI Insurance
Popular among locally employed expats. From ~$500/year.

Cigna Global
International plan, widely accepted at expat clinics. From ~$1,000/year.

AXA Global Healthcare
Comprehensive worldwide coverage. Good for frequent travellers. From ~$1,200/year.

BUPA Global
Premium plan, includes medical evacuation and repatriation. From ~$1,500/year.

💡 Pro Tip: Make sure your plan explicitly covers medical evacuation and repatriation : these are the most expensive emergencies for expats in Vietnam and are often excluded from basic plans.

🏦 Opening a Bank Account in Vietnam

A Vietnamese bank account simplifies daily life : cheaper rent payments, utility bills, local transfers and receiving salary. The process has become easier for foreigners holding TRCs.

Recommended Banks

Vietcombank : Vietnam's largest and most internationally connected bank. Good SWIFT network. English app available.

HSBC Vietnam : Best option for international wire transfers. English-language service. Requires minimum balance.

Techcombank : Strong digital banking. Popular with younger expats and tech workers.

VIB (Vietnam International Bank) : Good mobile app, quick account opening. Accepts TRC holders easily.

Standard Chartered Vietnam : Good for high-income expats. Full international banking services.

Required Documents

Valid passport
Temporary Residence Card (TRC) : tourist visa usually not accepted
Proof of local address (rental contract)
Vietnamese phone number

Step-by-Step Process

Obtain a TRC or work permit first
Visit bank branch with all documents
Complete KYC form and biometrics
Account opened same day in most banks
Receive ATM/debit card within 3-5 business days

💡 Pro Tip: Without a TRC, most Vietnamese banks will refuse to open an account. Vietcombank and HSBC Vietnam are the most foreigner-friendly. HSBC requires a higher minimum balance (~$500) but offers the best international wire service.

🏠 Buying Property in Vietnam

Foreigners can buy property in Vietnam under the 2014 Housing Law, but with significant restrictions: maximum 30% of apartments in a building, no more than 250 houses in a ward, and ownership is limited to 50 years (renewable). Foreigners cannot own land : they lease it from the state.

Ownership Options for Foreigners

Apartment ownership (50-year)
Foreigners can buy apartments in approved developments. Ownership certificate valid 50 years, renewable once. Most common option.

Villa / House (50-year lease)
50-year term on the land, with ownership of the structure. Renewable.

Through a Vietnamese company
If you own a Vietnamese company with a local partner, the company can hold land long-term. Risky unless you trust your partner.

Purchase Process

Verify the project is open to foreign ownership (check with developer and local authority)
Hire a Vietnamese lawyer who speaks English
Sign a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA)
Pay deposits in tranches as specified in the contract
Receive the Pink Book (ownership certificate) : usually 3-6 months after completion
Register at the local Land Registration Office

Typical Purchase Costs

Item	Cost
Registration tax	0.5% of property value
Notarisation fees	0.06-0.3% of transaction value
Lawyer fees	$1,000-3,000
Agent commission	1-3% (sometimes paid by developer)
Annual land use fee	Very low : typically $50-200/year

💡 Pro Tip: The 30% cap on foreign ownership in apartment buildings can affect resale : once the cap is hit, only Vietnamese buyers can purchase remaining units. Check the current foreign ownership ratio before buying.

About This Guide

This guide is researched and maintained by the editorial team at eVisa-Card.com. Last updated: 20 May 2026. We strive to keep all information current but visa rules, healthcare costs and property regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult a licensed professional before making major decisions.