Vietnam
VNMVietnam is a fast-growing Southeast Asian middle-income economy with a low cost of living that attracts retirees, remote workers, and digital nomads despite the absence of a dedicated long-stay visa programme. Most foreigners enter on temporary residence cards via employment, business investment, or family of a Vietnamese national. Vietnam does not permit dual citizenship for naturalisation applicants except in narrow exceptional cases. Tax residency triggers at 183 days; resident individuals pay progressive rates up to 35%.
→ If you hold a Vietnam passport, see the Vietnam nationality guidePassport Rank
#88
Visa-Free
51
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Hanoi
- Currency
- Vietnamese đồng (VND)
- Languages
- Vietnamese
- Population
- 100,340,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical / subtropical
- English Proficiency Rank
- #60
Indices
Cost of Living
39
Safety
56
Healthcare
65
Quality of Life
110
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | $700 | $450 | $240 | $80 | $12 |
| Hanoi | $530 | $360 | $220 | $70 | $10 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 5
- Language Test
- Yes (Vietnamese basic)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $130
- Processing
- ~12 months
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) | Ho Chi Minh City | IB | $18,000–$35,000 |
| United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS) | Hanoi | IB | $20,000–$38,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
95 Mbps median
75% fibre coverage
eSIM: Viettel, VNPT VinaPhone, MobiFone
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- No
- ILGA Rank
- —
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Limited
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common