Vietnam
One of the most affordable countries on Earth for Western expats, Vietnam offers a thriving digital nomad scene in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang with world-famous street food, buzzing nightlife, and reliable internet. Your dollar stretches incredibly far here, making it possible to live very well on a modest remote income.
Southeast AsiaPros
- Incredibly low cost of living lets you live comfortably on $1,000–$1,500 per month including rent, food, and entertainment
- Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have massive, well-established digital nomad communities with coworking spaces, meetups, and fast Wi-Fi cafes everywhere
- Some of the best street food in the world, with pho, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls available on every corner for under $2 a meal
- Rapidly modernizing infrastructure with new metro systems under construction, high-speed internet, and a booming tech startup ecosystem
Cons
- Chaotic motorbike traffic in major cities can be stressful and dangerous for newcomers, and crossing the street requires practice and bravery
- Language barrier is significant outside tourist areas, as Vietnamese is a tonal language that is extremely difficult for English speakers to learn
- Long-term visa options for non-workers are limited and require frequent border runs or visa renewals, adding bureaucratic overhead
- Tropical humidity and heat from May through October can be oppressive, and air quality in Hanoi regularly reaches unhealthy levels
Cost of Living
Monthly estimates in USD for a single person. All figures are approximate.
| Expense | Vietnam | US Average | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR, city center) | $450 | $1,800 | $1,350 |
| Rent (1BR, outside center) | $250 | $1,200 | $950 |
| Groceries | $120 | $400 | $280 |
| Dining out | $100 | $300 | $200 |
| Transportation | $30 | $200 | $170 |
| Internet | $10 | $70 | $60 |
| Healthcare | $30 | $450 | $420 |
| Total | $990 | $4,420 | $3,430/mo |
Visa Options for Americans
E-Visa (Tourist / Business)
Family eligibleVietnam's electronic visa allows US citizens to stay for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry options. It is the simplest way to enter Vietnam and can be extended or converted in-country with the help of a visa agent.
- Cost
- $25 USD
- Processing time
- 3–5 business days
- Duration
- 90 days, extendable
- Family
- Each family member must apply for their own e-visa independently.
Tips
- Apply online at the official Vietnam Immigration portal at least one week before travel to avoid processing delays
- Choose the multiple-entry option if you plan to visit neighboring countries like Thailand or Cambodia and return to Vietnam
- Many digital nomads chain 90-day e-visas with short border runs to Cambodia or Thailand, though this is technically a gray area
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Work Permit
Family eligibleRequired for anyone formally employed by a Vietnamese company. The employer must sponsor the application and demonstrate that the role cannot be filled by a Vietnamese worker. Work permits are issued for up to 2 years.
- Cost
- $150 USD
- Processing time
- 1–3 months
- Duration
- 2 years, renewable
- Path to residency
- Yes
- Family
- Spouse and children can obtain dependent visas tied to the work permit holder's status.
Tips
- Your employer handles most of the paperwork, but you will need authenticated copies of your degree and a criminal background check from your home country
- Work permits require a health check at a Vietnamese hospital, which takes about one day and costs around $50
- Teaching English is one of the most common pathways to a work permit, with many language centers sponsoring foreign teachers
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
Family eligibleA medium-term residency card issued to foreigners who hold a work permit, are investors, or are married to a Vietnamese citizen. The TRC replaces the need for repeated visa renewals and allows multiple entries.
- Cost
- $100 USD
- Processing time
- 5–10 business days
- Duration
- 1–5 years depending on category
- Path to residency
- Yes
- Family
- Spouse of a Vietnamese citizen can obtain a TRC valid for up to 5 years.
Tips
- The TRC is the closest thing to permanent residency available in Vietnam and eliminates the hassle of visa runs
- Investors who establish a company in Vietnam with a minimum capital contribution can qualify for a TRC of up to 5 years
- Apply through the local Immigration Department in the province where you reside, not through the embassy
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Investor Visa
Remote work OK Family eligibleFor foreigners who invest in or establish a business in Vietnam. There is no fixed minimum investment amount set by law, but in practice immigration authorities expect a meaningful capital contribution, typically starting around $50,000.
- Cost
- $300 USD
- Processing time
- 2–4 months
- Duration
- 5 years, renewable
- Path to residency
- Yes
- Family
- Spouse and dependent children can apply for dependent temporary residence cards once the investor holds a valid TRC.
Tips
- Forming a Vietnamese LLC is the most common route; a local lawyer can set this up for $1,000–$3,000 including all government fees
- The investment must be in a sector open to foreign ownership, which covers most industries except media and certain defense-related fields
- Pair the investor visa with a Temporary Residence Card for the most stable long-term status available to foreigners in Vietnam
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Healthcare
- System type
- Mixed Public-Private
- Quality rating
- 3/5
- GP visit
- $10
- ER visit
- $30
- Dental cleaning
- $15
- English-speaking doctors
- Available at international clinics in major cities
You'll need health insurance as an expat. SafetyWing is popular with American expats — plans start around $45/month.
Tax Implications
- US tax treaty
- No
- Local income tax
- 5%–35% progressive
As a US citizen, you'll still file US taxes from abroad. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets you exclude up to ~$130,000 (2025 tax year) of foreign earned income. Without a tax treaty, you'll need to be more careful about double taxation.
This is not tax advice. Consult a tax professional who specializes in expat taxation.
Filing US taxes from abroad? MyExpatTaxes is built specifically for Americans overseas, or use Greenback Expat Tax Services if you want a CPA to handle everything.
American Expat Community
Estimated American expats: 10,000+ Americans
Key cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hoi An
Expat Resources
Planning your move to Vietnam?
Spend a month in Vietnam first. Find a short-term rental on Airbnb or book a longer hotel stay on Booking.com.
You'll need to transfer funds internationally. Wise offers the best exchange rates with low transparent fees.
You still owe Uncle Sam from abroad. MyExpatTaxes (DIY) or Greenback (full-service CPA) specialize in American expats.
A VPN keeps your US streaming services working abroad.
Need legal help with your move to Vietnam?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with the right attorney — whether that's someone in Vietnam for visa and residency paperwork, or a US-based expat specialist for tax and asset planning.
Free, no obligation. We'll reach out within a few business days.