Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa (2026): Current Options, Visa Reforms, and the New Golden Visa Explained

Does Vietnam Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

Currently, Vietnam does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa or remote work visa. Currently, nomads use e-visa (up to 90 days), or if you are from an eligible country, you can visit Vietnam visa-free (14 to 45 days, depending on the country).

But, new long-stay possibilities are taking shape in Vietnam. In April 2025, a 10-year Golden Visa was proposed, hinting at future options that could make longer stays easier for digital nomads.

In this article, we walk through the visa options nomads use today, recent visa reforms, and what a potential Golden Visa could mean for digital nomads in Vietnam.

Vietnam Tourist Board Proposed New 10-Year Golden Visa

In April 2025, Vietnam’s Tourism Advisory Board proposed that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh consider introducing a Golden visa.

The move would bring Vietnam in line with regional peers that already offer long-term stay options for remote workers and professionals, such as Thailand’s Digital Nomad Visa (DTV), or Malaysia’s Digital Nomad Visa (De Rantau).

The Golden Visa is a proposed long-term residency program that would allow eligible foreigners to reside in Vietnam for up to 10 years. This initiative is part of Vietnam’s strategy to boost tourism, attract foreign investment, and enhance its global competitiveness.​

Vietnam has long been a favorite among adventurous Western travelers, and in recent years, it has emerged as a prominent destination for digital nomads. Cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang offer a blend of affordable living, reliable internet, and vibrant cultural experiences, making them ideal for remote work.

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What is Vietnam Golden Visa?

Vietnam’s Golden Visa is a proposed long-term visa designed to attract foreigners who want to live, invest, or spend extended time in the country. While the full details have yet to be officially released, the move has generated interest among digital nomads looking to explore and stay in Vietnam.

Proposed Visa Categories

The Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has outlined three main visa categories in its proposal:​

1. 10-Year Golden Visa: A general long-term visa for individuals seeking extended stays in Vietnam.​
2. 10-Year Investor Visa: Targeted at foreign investors, this visa offers a pathway to permanent residency after maintaining the investment for five years.​
3. 5-Year Talent Visa: Designed for skilled professionals, artists, researchers, and innovators, featuring a simplified renewal process.​

These visas are intended to be piloted in major cities and tourist hubs such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc.​

Unlike the existing investor visas (1 to 5 years), which require significant capital investment and active business involvement, the Golden Visa is likely to aim to be more inclusive, targeting affluent individuals, retirees, and professionals seeking a long-term stay.

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Considerations and Challenges

While the Golden Visa presents numerous advantages, there are considerations to be mindful of:

• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants may need to demonstrate significant assets, stable income, or professional expertise.​
• Regulatory Framework: Clear guidelines are necessary to prevent misuse and ensure the program’s integrity.​
• Infrastructure Readiness: Ensuring that local infrastructure can support an influx of long-term residents.​

Experts have emphasized the importance of setting stringent standards, to attract genuine contributors to Vietnam’s economy and society.​

Current Vietnam Visa Options for Digital Nomads

While Vietnam does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, 2025 visa reforms have made several existing visa options more accessible, especially for longer or more flexible stays.

Visa Exemptions

Visa exemptions: In 2025, Vietnam expanded its visa-free entry program. Citizens of dozens of countries can now enter Vietnam without a visa, with permitted stays ranging from 14 to 45 days, depending on nationality.

Visa policies can change, so make sure to check the latest requirements with the official website of the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country before you travel.

Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs website – list of Vietnam embassies

Vietnam E-Visa (Electronic Visa)

Vietnam grants e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories. These e-visas are valid for up to 90 days and allow for multiple entries.

The application process is fully online, and e-visas are accepted at major international airports, land border gates, and sea ports across the country. For many digital nomads, this is the most straightforward way to stay in Vietnam for a few months at a time.

Note: Vietnam e-visas are not accepted at all entry points. They are valid only at designated locations, including 13 international airports, 13 seaports, and 16 land border crossings.

Vietnam e-visa website

Investor Visa (DT visas)

Vietnam offers DT investor visas for foreigners who invest in or operate a business in the country. There are four levels of DT visas (DT1 to DT4), based on the size of the investment, with visa durations ranging from one year up to five years, depending on the category.

DT visas are sometimes used by entrepreneurs, founders, and location-independent business owners who want a more stable long-term base in Vietnam, especially if they plan to build or run a local business.

Vietnam Talent Visa

In 2025, Vietnam introduced a new 5-year Talent Visa, aimed at attracting skilled professionals from around the world. It was launched in August 2025 and is part of the country’s wider push to welcome long-term foreign talent.

While it’s not a digital nomad visa, the Talent Visa could be relevant for some remote professionals, especially those working in areas like tech, creative industries, research, or other specialized fields.

The Talent Visa grew out of the broader Golden Visa proposals (we covered earlier in this article), and is the first of those long-stay proposals to actually become a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa

Digital Nomad Visa – Implementation Timeline

The “Golden Visa” program is currently in the proposal stage. and at this point, it’s still unclear how digital nomads and remote workers might benefit from it.

That said, one part of these proposals has already moved forward: the 5-year Talent Visa, which has been officially launched and represents the first concrete outcome of the broader Golden Visa discussions.

For the latest updates on Vietnam’s Golden Visa and other immigration policies, we’ll continue to update this page as new information becomes available – so be sure to check back regularly!

Note: This article is based on current proposals and available information as of January 2026. Details are subject to change pending official government decisions.

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