Vietnam is one of the most practical digital nomad bases in the world right now. The cost of living is lower than in Thailand and Bali. Internet speeds average 80 Mbps. Co-working spaces in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An are well-established and affordable. And a $50 e-visa gets you 90 days with multiple entries, renewable by leaving and re-entering.
For Nigerian, Indian, Ghanaian, and Kenyan professionals earning in USD or GBP from international employers, Vietnam solves a specific problem: your income is strong relative to local prices, your work is remote, and your cost of living drops significantly without dropping your quality of life.
This guide covers every visa option available to digital nomads in Vietnam in 2026, what each costs and who qualifies, plus the practical side of managing money while you are there. How you receive and access your international income in Vietnam matters as much as the visa itself. A Grey multi-currency account and virtual card handle both without requiring a local Vietnamese bank account.
Why Vietnam works for digital nomads
The numbers make the case. A comfortable digital nomad lifestyle in Da Nang costs $800 to $1,200 per month, including rent, food, co-working, and transport. The equivalent lifestyle in Lisbon costs $2,500 to $3,500. In London, it is $4,000 or more. For professionals earning $3,000 to $6,000 per month from international remote work, Vietnam is one of the few places where the income-to-cost ratio creates genuine financial momentum rather than simply covering expenses.
| City |
Internet speed |
Coworking/month |
1-bed apartment/month |
Nomad score |
| Ho Chi Minh City |
80+ Mbps |
$100 to $200 |
$400 to $800 |
High |
| Da Nang |
75+ Mbps |
$80 to $150 |
$300 to $600 |
High |
| Hanoi |
80+ Mbps |
$100 to $180 |
$350 to $700 |
High |
| Hoi An |
60+ Mbps |
$80 to $130 |
$300 to $500 |
Medium |
| Da Lat |
50+ Mbps |
$60 to $100 |
$200 to $400 |
Medium |
All cost estimates are indicative and based on a digital nomad lifestyle (co-working, mid-range accommodation, local food, with occasional restaurant meals). Verify current rates locally.
Vietnam visa options for digital nomads in 2026
Vietnam does not have a visa category specifically called a digital nomad visa. Most remote workers use one of three routes: the e-visa for stays up to 90 days, the visa on arrival (air travel only), or the new 5-year talent visa for highly qualified professionals. Here is how they compare:
| Visa type |
Max stay |
Cost |
Entries |
Best for |
| E-visa (single entry) |
90 days |
$25 |
1 |
Short-term stays, first visit |
| E-visa (multiple entry) |
90 days |
$50 |
Multiple |
Regular return visits, most digital nomads |
| Visa on arrival |
90 days |
$50 to $100 |
Single or multiple |
Air arrivals only |
| Embassy visa |
Up to 90 days or longer |
$40 to $100 |
As specified |
Extended stays beyond what e-visa allows |
| 5-year talent visa |
Up to 5 years (90 days per entry) |
$50 |
Multiple |
Top professionals in qualifying fields only |
| Visa extension |
+90 days |
$10 to $50 |
N/A |
Extending a current visa from inside Vietnam |
The e-visa: the practical choice for most digital nomads
The e-visa is the starting point for the overwhelming majority of digital nomads visiting Vietnam. It is available to citizens of more than 80 countries, applied for fully online, and processed in 3 to 7 business days. For most remote workers, the multiple-entry e-visa at $50 is the right option: it lets you leave and re-enter Vietnam without applying for a new visa each time, which matters if you want to visit neighbouring countries during your stay.
E-visa: costs and fees
| Type |
Fee |
Processing time |
| Single-entry e-visa |
$25 |
3 to 7 business days |
| Multiple-entry e-visa |
$50 |
3 to 7 business days |
| Urgent processing (1 to 2 days) |
Add $10 to $50 |
1 to 2 business days |
| Urgent processing (4 to 8 hours) |
Add $10 to $50 |
4 to 8 hours |
E-visa: what you need to apply
- A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity beyond your arrival date and two blank pages
- A digital passport photo (4x6 cm, plain background, no glasses, taken recently)
- A scanned copy of your passport bio page in JPEG format
- A credit or debit card to pay the fee online
Apply at evisa.gov.vn, the official Vietnamese government e-visa portal. Avoid third-party sites that charge additional service fees for the same application. Once issued, the e-visa is valid at 13 airports, 16 land borders, and 13 seaports. Print it and carry it with your passport. [3]
E-visa: the 90-day cap and what to do about it
The e-visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. There is no automatic route to extend it beyond 90 days without either leaving the country or applying for an extension through an immigration office or agency inside Vietnam. The extension costs $10 to $50 and takes 5 to 7 business days.
Many digital nomads use a "visa run", a short trip to a neighbouring country (such as Thailand, Cambodia, or Laos) to reset their 90-day clock. With a multiple-entry e-visa, you can re-enter immediately after leaving. This approach works well for stays of 6 to 9 months, but becomes inconvenient and costly for longer residency.
The 5-year talent visa: who it is actually for
Vietnam launched its first golden visa category in August 2025 under Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP. It is officially called a "special visa exemption card for skilled professionals" and allows multiple entries for up to 5 years, with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry. [1,4]
This is not a general digital nomad visa. It targets the top of specific professional categories, and the eligibility criteria are deliberately selective. Before you spend time preparing an application, check whether you genuinely qualify.
Who qualifies for the talent visa?
- Academics, scientists, professors, and experts from internationally recognised universities and research institutes
- Chief architects
- Highly skilled professionals in the digital technology industry at a senior level
- Investors, corporate leaders, and executives of major global enterprises
- Recognised figures in culture, arts, sports, and tourism with verifiable public influence
- Invited guests of recognised research institutes, universities, and large enterprises, as approved by competent Vietnamese ministries
If you are a freelance developer, a remote marketing manager, a content creator, or a business analyst working independently, you almost certainly do not qualify for the talent visa under the current criteria. Use the e-visa and plan around the 90-day entry limit instead.
Talent visa: costs and how to apply
The application fee is $50. The application is submitted online via the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security's national public portal, but in practice, most successful applicants work with a qualified law firm in Vietnam that understands the documentation requirements and has established relationships with the relevant government departments.
The card is issued for 5 years and must expire at least 30 days before your passport's expiry date. There is no confirmed minimum income requirement stated in the decree, but you will need substantial documentation of your qualifications and professional standing.
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival is available for air arrivals only and is not available at land or sea borders. You apply online in advance for an approval letter, then present it at the "Visa on Arrival" counter at the airport along with your passport, two passport-sized photos, and cash for the stamping fee. The process takes 3 to 7 business days for a standard approval letter.
| Type |
Service fee (online) |
Stamping fee (cash at airport) |
| Single entry, 90 days |
$25 |
$25 |
| Multiple entry, 90 days |
$50 |
$50 |
The stamping fee must be paid in cash (USD or VND) at the airport. The e-visa is generally more convenient and cheaper for most travellers. A visa on arrival makes sense if you are applying at short notice and cannot wait for an e-visa, or if your nationality is eligible for a visa on arrival but not for an e-visa.
Cost of living in Vietnam for digital nomads
Vietnam is genuinely affordable for professionals earning in USD or GBP. Here are realistic monthly cost estimates across the main digital nomad cities:
| Category |
Budget lifestyle |
Comfortable lifestyle |
Higher-end lifestyle |
| Accommodation (1-bed apartment) |
$250 to $400 |
$400 to $700 |
$700 to $1,200 |
| Food (mix of local and restaurants) |
$150 to $200 |
$200 to $350 |
$350 to $500 |
| Co-working space |
$60 to $100 |
$100 to $200 |
$200 to $300 |
| Transport (Grab, motorbike) |
$30 to $50 |
$50 to $100 |
$100 to $200 |
| Health insurance |
$90 to $150 |
$150 to $250 |
$250 to $400 |
| Entertainment and leisure |
$50 to $100 |
$100 to $200 |
$200 to $400 |
| Total monthly estimate |
$630 to $1,000 |
$1,000 to $1,800 |
$1,800 to $3,000 |
Street food meals cost $1 to $2. A mid-range restaurant meal is $5 to $10. A cappuccino at a cafe popular with digital nomads is $2 to $3. Monthly grocery bills at supermarkets like Lotte Mart and VinMart range from $80 to $150, depending on how much you cook at home versus how much you eat out.
Taxes for digital nomads in Vietnam
Vietnam does not have a specific digital nomad tax regime. Tax obligations depend on how long you stay and where your income originates. There are two scenarios to understand:
| Status |
Trigger condition |
Tax obligation |
| Non-resident |
Fewer than 183 days in Vietnam in a calendar year, no permanent ties |
Tax on Vietnamese-source income only, at a fixed rate of 20% |
| Tax resident |
183 days or more in Vietnam in a calendar year, or permanent ties such as a rented home |
Tax on worldwide income at progressive rates up to 35% |
For a digital nomad using the 90-day e-visa and leaving and re-entering, staying under 183 days in total is straightforward. If you extend your stay or use the talent visa for a continuous period longer than 6 months, tax residency becomes a real consideration.
Vietnam has double taxation treaties with more than 80 countries, including Nigeria, India, and many others. If you are already paying income tax in your home country, the treaty may prevent you from paying again in Vietnam on the same income. You will need documentation, including a tax residency certificate from your home country, to claim the treaty benefit. [5]
Tax between countries is complicated. Consult a tax professional who understands both Vietnamese tax law and the laws of your home country before making any decisions based on your tax situation.
Healthcare and health insurance in Vietnam
Public hospitals in Vietnam are affordable but basic in infrastructure and can involve long waits. For digital nomads, private international hospitals are the practical choice: facilities like Family Medical Practice and the French-Vietnamese Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City provide high-quality care with English-speaking doctors but charge accordingly.
International health insurance is strongly recommended before arriving. Plans from providers such as Cigna, AXA, and IMG Global cover international medical care and range from $90 to $400 per month, depending on coverage level and age. Without insurance, a private hospital visit for something non-trivial can cost $200 to $1,000 or more.
How to manage your money as a digital nomad in Vietnam
This is the section that most digital nomad guides skip or handle poorly. The question is not just "which ATM to use"; it is how you receive your international income, hold it, and access it in Vietnam without losing a significant percentage to conversion fees or bank charges.
Receiving international income
Most digital nomad income is paid in USD by US employers, Upwork, Deel, Fiverr, or international payroll systems. Without the right account, that income either gets converted to your home currency automatically at an unfavourable rate, or it sits inaccessible until you find a way to withdraw it in Vietnam.
Receive your income directly with a Grey account. A Grey multi-currency account gives you a USD account with an ACH routing number and account number. You share these details with Upwork, Deel, your employer, or any US-based platform exactly as you would a US bank account. Your income arrives in USD and sits in your Grey account. You hold it in USD, convert it to VND when you need to spend locally, and use your Grey virtual card to access it for online purchases and international subscriptions. There is no automatic conversion, no middleman bank taking a cut, and no requirement to have a Vietnamese bank account to receive your income.
Accessing money in Vietnam
Vietnam has a widespread ATM network from banks, including Vietcombank, Sacombank, Techcombank, and BIDV. International ATM withdrawals typically cost $2 to $6 per transaction, depending on the bank. Most ATMs dispense Vietnamese dong (VND) and have a per-withdrawal limit of around $200 to $300 equivalent.
For day-to-day spending, local cash in VND is still the most practical option for street food, local markets, and transport. For larger purchases, online subscriptions, and international services, a card that works in USD without a foreign transaction fee is the cleaner solution.
Your Grey virtual card (Visa) works anywhere Visa is accepted online and internationally. For local ATM withdrawals, you will generally get better rates by using a local bank's ATM and withdrawing VND than by paying for everything in USD on a card, given Vietnam's cash economy at the street level.
Currency conversion timing
One of the advantages of holding income in a Grey USD account is the ability to control timing. If you receive $3,000 per month and convert the full amount to VND immediately, you lock in whatever the exchange rate is on that day. If you hold in USD and convert in smaller amounts as needed, you have more flexibility to time your conversions and avoid converting during unfavourable rate periods.
The VND-to-USD rate is relatively stable compared with many emerging-market currencies, but it does fluctuate. Holding in USD and converting to VND as needed is a practical approach for a 1 to 3-month stay.
Best cities in Vietnam for digital nomads
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Vietnam's economic and technological centre. The largest city, the fastest-moving, and the one with the most developed digital nomad infrastructure. Co-working spaces include Dreamplex (from $100 per month) and Workyos (from $100 per month). The expat community is large and well-connected. Best for professionals who want urban energy, fast internet, and reliable access to everything. The cost of living is slightly higher than in Da Nang.
Da Nang
The most popular digital nomad base in Vietnam consistently ranks among the top five globally. Located between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on the central coast, Da Nang offers beaches 10 minutes from the city centre, a growing co-working scene, lower rents than Saigon, and a calmer pace. The Enosta Space co-living offers accommodation and co-working from $200 per month. Da Nang is the starting recommendation for most first-time nomads in Vietnam.
Hanoi
Vietnam's capital has a distinct character: older architecture, cooler winters in the north, and the cultural weight that Saigon does not have. The Tay Ho district around West Lake has become the hub for expats and digital nomads, with art cafes, co-working spaces, and a relaxed multicultural community. The internet is fast, and the cost of living is similar to Da Nang.
Hoi An
A UNESCO World Heritage ancient town, 30 kilometres from Da Nang airport. Slower, more atmospheric, and cheaper than the major cities. Hub Hoi An offers co-living accommodation with co-working access, starting at $350 per month, overlooking rice paddies. Hoi An suits nomads who want a creative, quieter environment. The trade-off is fewer direct flights and a smaller professional community.
Before you go: practical checklist
- Visa: Apply for your e-visa at e-services.mps.gov.vn at least 10 days before departure. Standard processing is 3 to 7 business days; do not leave it until the last week.
- Income: Set up a Grey account and have your USD account details ready to update with Upwork, Deel, or your employer before you leave. Your first month's income should arrive in the account before you land.
- Health insurance: Get international health insurance before departure. Vietnam's private hospitals are good but expensive without coverage. Set up coverage at least two weeks before you travel to avoid gaps.
- Transport: Download Grab (Vietnam's Uber equivalent) before you arrive. It covers taxis, motorbikes, and food delivery across all major cities and is cheaper than metered taxis.
- SIM card: Get a local Vietnamese SIM card on arrival at the airport from Viettel, Mobifone, or Vietnamobile. A monthly data and calls plan costs $3 to $8 and gives you reliable connectivity everywhere.
- Cash: Withdraw some VND at the airport ATM on arrival for your first day (taxi, food, tips). Do not exchange currency at airport exchange booths; the rates are significantly worse than ATM rates.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa?
Not a dedicated one. Most digital nomads use the 90-day multiple-entry e-visa ($50), which allows remote work. Vietnam launched a 5-year talent visa in August 2025, but it is restricted to top professionals in specific qualifying fields and is not a general remote work visa.
How long can I stay in Vietnam on an e-visa?
Up to 90 days per entry. You can extend your stay in Vietnam through an immigration agency for an additional fee, or take a visa run to a neighbouring country and re-enter to restart a new 90-day period.
Can I work remotely in Vietnam on a tourist visa?
Remote work for foreign employers is generally permitted on a tourist or e-visa in Vietnam. Formal employment for a Vietnamese company requires a work permit. Most digital nomads work remotely under tourist visas without issue.
How much does it cost to live in Vietnam as a digital nomad?
A comfortable lifestyle in Da Nang or Hanoi costs $800 to $1,500 per month, including rent, food, co-working, transport, and health insurance. Ho Chi Minh City runs slightly higher. Budget lifestyles can work on $600-$800.
Do I need a Vietnamese bank account to manage money in Vietnam?
No. A Grey multi-currency account gives you USD, GBP, and EUR account details. You receive international income directly, hold it in the original currency, and access it with a virtual card or convert to VND as needed. You can manage your finances in Vietnam without opening a local bank account.
Will I owe taxes in Vietnam as a digital nomad?
If you stay fewer than 183 days in a calendar year and have no permanent ties to Vietnam, you are a non-resident and taxed only on Vietnamese-source income at 20%. If you stay longer, tax residency rules apply, and your worldwide income may be subject to Vietnamese income tax. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Vietnam safe for digital nomads?
Yes. Vietnam consistently rates well for safety among digital nomad destinations in Southeast Asia. Petty theft and motorbike bag snatching occur in busy areas, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, so basic precautions apply. The country poses no significant threat to the personal safety of foreign remote workers.
What is the best city in Vietnam for digital nomads?
Da Nang is the most consistently recommended for first-timers: central location, beaches, good co-working infrastructure, lower rents, and a large English-speaking expat community. Ho Chi Minh City suits nomads who prefer urban energy and a faster pace. Hoi An suits those who want a slower, more creative environment.
Sources and further reading
The following sources were used in the preparation of this guide. All facts regarding visa fees, processing times, and eligibility criteria should be verified directly on the official Vietnamese government immigration portal before applying, as requirements change.
| Ref |
Description |
Publisher |
URL |
| [1] |
Vietnam 5-year talent visa announcement and eligibility criteria (November 2025) |
Condé Nast Traveler |
cntraveler.com |
| [2] |
Vietnam for digital nomads , cost of living, co-working, and accommodation data (November 2025) |
Holafly |
esim.holafly.com |
| [3] |
Vietnam e-visa application (official government portal) (Ongoing) |
Vietnam Ministry of Public Security |
e-services.mps.gov.vn |
| [4] |
Vietnam Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP , special visa exemption card for skilled professionals (August 2025) |
Vietnam Ministry of Public Security |
mps.gov.vn |
| [5] |
Tax guidance for remote workers in Vietnam , cross-border income obligations (2025) |
Global Referral Network |
globalreferralnetwork.com |
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Visa requirements, fees, and tax rules change and vary by nationality. Always verify current requirements with the official Vietnamese government immigration portal and consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. Grey product features and fees are subject to change; see grey.co/blog/fees-and-charges-on-grey for current rates.