Vietnam
Start here — three doors
- Name why you came. Work, invest, family, study, visit, remote, or long stay without work — the code comes after. Decision tool · purpose hubs.
- Ask whether a TRC opens. A temporary residence card is a sponsor-filed multi-year stay, not the visa stamp. Only listed symbols reach it; does not. TRC guide · symbol → term map.
ĐT4
investment visa below the 3-billion line — no residence card - Ask whether you may work. A visa stamp is not a work right. Permit or exemption is a second system. Work permit.
Terms and codes on this pagePlain-language gloss for immigration shorthand.
- Visa symbol
- The entry / stay mark under the Immigration Law (Luật Nhập cảnh) — not a TRC.
- TRC
- Temporary residence card — a sponsor-filed multi-year stay card some symbols can open.
- LĐ1 / LĐ2
- Labour symbols. LĐ1 sits outside the permit-required set; LĐ2 needs a work permit.
- ĐT3 / ĐT4
- Investment symbols above / below the 3-billion-VND capital line. ĐT4 does not reach TRC.
- TT · DH
- Family (TT) and study (DH) symbols — both can lead to a TRC when the path fits.
Four layers that are not the same decision
Purpose
Why you are here. Codes come after. Start at purpose or the decision tool.
Entry / stay symbol
The visa mark under Luật Nhập cảnh. It sets what you may do at the border and which paths can later open a TRC. The TRC-eligible band map is published — not a thin Điều 8 catalogue.
Temporary residence (TRC)
A sponsor-filed card, not a visa stamp. Only listed symbols qualify; terms follow four bands (2 / 3 / 5 / 10 years). TRC guide.
Work right
Permit or statutory exemption. Separate from the stamp and from the card. All fifteen exemption limbs under
are filed. Work permit.NĐ 219
Decree 219/2025 — the live work-permit frame, including 15 exemption limbs
TRC-eligible bands (filed)
Closed list: LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2, TT, UĐ1, UĐ2. ĐT4 on that list: Source Luật Nhập cảnh Điều 36 khoản 1 điểm b (ĐT4 absent from TRC list) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Source Luật Nhập cảnh Điều 8 (23 visa symbols; no retirement symbol) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog.no
no
Unique-consequence paths (L2)
Only symbols whose consequences do not fit on the parent table. Not a Điều 8 catalogue.
LĐ1
Labour symbol outside the permit-required set.
Same two-year TRC band as LĐ2.
LĐ2
Permit-required labour stay.
24+24 months. Dies on job loss.
TT
Family stay tied to a Vietnamese spouse or relative.
Work-permit exemption and PR clock when the path fits.
UĐ
Residence visa for a spouse or child of certain investors or special-stay holders.
Family door — not a labour stamp.
ĐT3
Investment capital that still reaches a TRC.
The 3-billion-VND double gate.
ĐT4
Investment stamp below the capital line.
No TRC eligibility. That absence is the product.
DH
Study stay that can lead to a TRC.
Schools page stays partial.
Start from purpose
Codes come after why you came. Each purpose hub opens the matching L2 paths.
What the law does not sell you
No retirement visa. Remote work for a foreign employer is not a published immigration product — days on the ground still feed tax residence (/for/remote, /for/retire). Visit paths are short-stay by design; a full e-visa how-to is not published here. What is published is the state fee per document and who has standing to file: do you actually need an agent? Stay extension is still filed by the inviting party — sponsor must file.
Where visa meets tax
Lawful stay and tax residence share calendar days — not one form. A clean visa can still cross the 183-day line; a short visit can still trigger habitual abode if a TRC address or long lease is in play. Continue on the tax hub.
Filed absences (hub gates)
Citable facts4 copyable source sentences
One sentence per cell for assistants and notes. Figures still age out, so check the stamp.
As of Aug 2026, A visa alone grants the right to work in Vietnam: no. https://thonexpat.com/vietnam/visa
As of Aug 2026, A Vietnam visa is the same instrument as a TRC: no. https://thonexpat.com/vietnam/visa
As of Aug 2026, Purpose, symbol, TRC, and work rights are four separate decisions: yes. https://thonexpat.com/vietnam/visa
As of Aug 2026, Vietnam has a dedicated retirement visa: no. https://thonexpat.com/vietnam/visa
Evidence and sources5 dated facts for Vietnam visa hub — symbol ≠ TRC ≠ work
The readable briefing above uses these cells. Open a source only when you need to verify a number, date, or legal gate.
- A Vietnam visa is the same instrument as a TRCLuật Nhập cảnh — visa (entry/stay symbol) vs temporary residence card are separate instrumentschecked Aug 2026
no
Source Luật Nhập cảnh — visa (entry/stay symbol) vs temporary residence card are separate instruments
Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh
Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog.
- A visa alone grants the right to work in VietnamBLLĐ / NĐ 219 — labour permission (permit or exemption) is a separate system from immigration statuschecked Aug 2026
no
Source BLLĐ / NĐ 219 — labour permission (permit or exemption) is a separate system from immigration status
Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh
Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog.
- Vietnam has a dedicated retirement visaLuật Nhập cảnh Điều 8 — 23 visa symbols; no dedicated retirement symbolchecked Aug 2026
no
Source Luật Nhập cảnh Điều 8 — 23 visa symbols; no dedicated retirement symbol
Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh
Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog.
- Purpose, symbol, TRC, and work rights are four separate decisionsProduct map — purpose → entry symbol → TRC (if eligible) → work permit/exemption as four separate decisionschecked Aug 2026
yes
Source Product map — purpose → entry symbol → TRC (if eligible) → work permit/exemption as four separate decisions
Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh
Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog.
- A published day-count exists for “sinh sống” in BLLĐ Đ154.8Published absence — BLLĐ Đ154.8 marriage WP exemption has no day-count for “sinh sống”checked Aug 2026
no
Source Published absence — BLLĐ Đ154.8 marriage WP exemption has no day-count for “sinh sống”
Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh
Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog.
Common questions
Is a Vietnam visa the same as a temporary residence card?
No. A visa is an entry / stay symbol under the Immigration Law. A temporary residence card (TRC) is a separate sponsor-filed card that only some symbols can lead to.
Does a visa let me work in Vietnam?
Not by itself. Labour permission (work permit or a statutory exemption) is a second system. Immigration status and the right to work can diverge.
Is there a Vietnam retirement visa?
No dedicated retirement symbol exists. Long stay for retirement has to use other published paths — or it does not exist as a productised visa.
Why don’t you list every visa code?
This page publishes the closed TRC-eligible list and term bands — not a fake catalogue of every Điều 8 code. L2 pages exist where consequences are unique: LĐ1, LĐ2, TT, ĐT3, ĐT4 trap, DH.
Stay status is Vietnam law. Home-country tax traps live on the passport overlays for this destination.
Eight passports · Vietnam
Passport overlays for Vietnam
| Passport | Treaty | Short-stay | Relief | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | yesSource [1992] ATS 44; Australian Treasury income tax treaties list — status In force Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Art 4permanent home, then centre of vital interestsSource [1992] ATS 44 Article 4 paragraph 3 Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 183 daysSource [1992] ATS 44 Article 15 paragraph 2(a) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | ordinary tax creditSource [1992] ATS 44 Art 15 / Art 23; nguon/AU_VN_DTA_1992_ATS44.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | AU → Vietnam tax |
| Singapore | yesSource SSO Income Tax (Singapore — Vietnam) Order 1994 — Agreement signed Hanoi 2 March 1994 Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Art 4permanent home → centre of vital interests → habitual abode → mutual agreementSource SSO Order 1994 Art 4(2) — no nationality step before MAP (unlike some OECD models) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 183 daysSource SSO Order 1994 Art 15 — aggregate not exceeding 183 days in the calendar year (one limb) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | ordinary tax creditSource SSO Order 1994 Art 15 / Art 24; nguon/SG_VN_DTA_1994.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | SG → Vietnam tax |
| South Korea | yesSource Korea–Vietnam DTA 1994; MOFA treaty list; WTO Center English text Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Art 4permanent home → centre of vital interests → habitual abode → nationality → mutual agreementSource Korea–Vietnam DTA Art 4(2)(a)–(d) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 183 daysSource Korea–Vietnam DTA Art 15(2)(a) — present ≤183 days in any twelve-month period (one of conditions) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | ordinary tax creditSource Korea–Vietnam DTA Art 15 / Art 23; nguon/KR_VN_DTA_1994.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | KR → Vietnam tax |
| China | yesSource China–Vietnam DTA 1995; VN GDT treaty list; MFA treaty PDF Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Art 4permanent home → centre of vital interests → habitual abode → nationality → mutual agreementSource China–Vietnam DTA Art 4(2)(a)–(d) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 183 daysSource China–Vietnam DTA Art 15(2)(a) — ≤183 days in the calendar year (one of conditions) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | ordinary tax creditSource China–Vietnam DTA Art 15 / Art 23; nguon/CN_VN_DTA_1995.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | CN → Vietnam tax |
| Japan | yesSource Japan–Vietnam DTA 1995; MOF tax convention list; MOF synthesised text Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Art 4permanent home → centre of vital interests → habitual abode → nationality → mutual agreementSource Japan–Vietnam DTA Art 4(2)(a)–(d) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 183 daysSource Japan–Vietnam DTA Art 15 — ≤183 days in the calendar year (one of conditions) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | ordinary tax creditSource Japan–Vietnam DTA Art 15 / Art 23; nguon/JP_VN_DTA_1995.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | JP → Vietnam tax |
| United Kingdom | yesSource UK–Vietnam DTA 1994; SI 1994/3216; GOV.UK Vietnam tax treaties Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Art 4permanent home → centre of vital interests → habitual abode → nationality → mutual agreementSource SI 1994/3216 Schedule Art 4(2)(a)–(d) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 183 daysSource SI 1994/3216 Schedule Art 15 — 183 days within any 12 months (one of conditions) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | ordinary tax creditSource SI 1994/3216 Schedule Art 15 / Art 22; nguon/UK_VN_DTA_1994.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | UK → Vietnam tax |
| Canada | yesSource Canada–Vietnam Income Tax Agreement; treaty-accord.gc.ca id 102424; Income Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 1998 Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. Art 4permanent home → centre of vital interests → habitual abode → nationality → mutual agreementSource Canada–Vietnam Income Tax Agreement Art 4(2) — treaty-accord.gc.ca id 102424 Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 183 daysSource Canada–Vietnam Agreement Art 15(2)(a) — present ≤183 days in any twelve-month period (one of conditions) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | ordinary tax creditSource Canada–Vietnam Income Tax Agreement Art 15 / Art 22; nguon/CA_VN_DTA.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | CA → Vietnam tax |
| United States | No treaty in forceArt 4yesSource No in-force US–Vietnam income tax treaty → no Art 4 dual-residence cascade between the two states Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | — | domestic foreign tax credit only (Form 1116) — no in-force treatySource IRS A–Z treaty list — US–Vietnam signed not in force; nguon/US_VN_DTA_STATUS.md Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | US → Vietnam tax |
Australia
Singapore
South Korea
China
Japan
United Kingdom
Canada
United StatesOther headaches on Vietnam SSA · pensions · remittance · traps
| Passport | SSA | Pensions | Foreign income | Home traps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU | noSource DSS International social security agreements — Australia has agreements with 32 listed countries; Vietnam absent from current agreements and from agreements under negotiation on that page Checked Aug 2026 · Band med · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource [1992] ATS 44 Article 18 paragraph 1 Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource au_vn_tax / AU-side traps — residency tests, CGT deemed disposal, superannuation reuse across destinations Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |
| SG | noSource Singapore has no bilateral social security / CPF totalisation agreement with Vietnam; CPF membership turns on SC/SPR status (CPF Board), not a VN SSA certificate path Checked Aug 2026 · Band med · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource SSO Order 1994 Art 18 — pensions taxable only in residence state (subject to Art 19) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource nguon/SG_SIDE_TRAPS.md — IRAS residence/territorial + IR21 + CPF leave; gates only Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |
| KR | yesSource MOFA Viet Nam treaty database / NPS — Agreement on social insurance between Korea and Viet Nam; EIF 1 January 2024 (Announcement 50/2023/TB-LPQT) Checked Aug 2026 · Band med · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Korea–Vietnam DTA Art 18 — pensions taxable only in residence state (subject to Art 19(2)) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource nguon/KR_SIDE_TRAPS.md — 183-day residence / worldwide / exit-tax gates; no dollar bills Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |
| CN | noSource MOHRSS — China bilateral social security agreements in force with listed partners (DE/KR/DK/FI/CA/CH/NL/ES/LU/JP/RS etc.) — Vietnam absent Checked Aug 2026 · Band med · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource China–Vietnam DTA Art 18(1) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource nguon/CN_SIDE_TRAPS.md — 183-day / worldwide / six-year gates Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |
| JP | noSource MHLW / JPS social security agreement country lists — Vietnam not among agreements in force; MOFA press release 18 July 2025 only announces commencement of intergovernmental negotiations Checked Aug 2026 · Band med · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Japan–Vietnam DTA Art 18 Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource nguon/JP_SIDE_TRAPS.md — domicile/1yr / worldwide / exit tax gates Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |
| UK | noSource GOV.UK Reciprocal agreements + NI38 country lists do not include Vietnam as a UK social security agreement partner Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource SI 1994/3216 Schedule Art 18(1) — pensions/annuities taxable only in residence state (subject to Art 19(2)) Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource nguon/UK_SIDE_TRAPS.md — HS278 / TCGA s10A / FIG regime; gates only, no dollar bills Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |
| CA | noSource CRA — Countries that have an international social security agreement with Canada — Vietnam absent from the published table (as of page update 2024-07-23) Checked Aug 2026 · Band med · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | 15%Source Canada–Vietnam DTA Art 18(2) — periodic pension payments (other than social-security legislation) source tax ≤15% of gross Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource nguon/CA_SIDE_TRAPS.md — CRA emigrant dispositions / ITA s128.1; gates only Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |
| US | noSource SSA International Programs — Status of Totalization Agreements / POMS GN 01701.005 country table — Vietnam absent from agreements in force Checked Aug 2026 · Band med · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource IRS tax treaty tables / Pub 901 practice — Vietnam not listed as in-force income tax treaty partner; Nareif treaty table note: signed 2015 not yet in effect — with no in-force DTA there is no treaty pension article to allocate private pensions Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource Luật 109/2025/QH15 Điều 2 khoản 1; NĐ 253/2026/NĐ-CP Điều 6 khoản 2 điểm a Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. | yesSource nguon/US_SIDE_TRAPS.md — FBAR / Form 8938 / FEIE gates; PFIC & expatriation dollars not modelled Checked Aug 2026 · Band low · Status fresh Method: figures past 2× SLA hide. See /method · /status · /changelog. |