Vietnam
Southeast Asia • Asia
Overview
Vietnam is consistently ranked the world's most affordable destination for expatriates — first out of 53 economies for personal finances in the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 survey, a position it has held four years running (CNBC, July 2024). Numbeo's 2025 data places Vietnam's Cost of Living Index at 26.6 (New York = 100) and reports living costs roughly 61.5% lower than the United States, with rent about 74% lower (Numbeo, June 2026). A one-bedroom apartment in a city center averages about $422/month ($274 outside the center), basic utilities about $76/month, and 60+ Mbps fiber internet about $9/month; International Living's January 2026 sample budget for two people totals roughly $899–$1,469/month including frequent dining out. Vietnam scores well on safety. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 1 'Exercise Normal Precautions' advisory — its most favorable tier — and the Institute for Economics & Peace's Global Peace Index 2025 ranks Vietnam 38th of 163 countries (score 1.721, up one place year-over-year). Numbeo's crowd-sourced Safety Index for Vietnam is 60.19 (Crime Index 39.81). Healthcare is uneven: Numbeo's Health Care System Index is 62.78, with private and international hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi rated highly while the public system rates only moderate; expats typically carry private cover, where 2024 international individual plans averaged about $4,547/year (~$379/month) per Pacific Prime, though regional plans run far less. English proficiency is improving but still uneven. The EF English Proficiency Index 2025 (released Nov 19, 2025) scored Vietnam 500, ranking it 64th of 123 and lifting it into the 'Moderate' (B1–B2) band — up from a 'Low' score of 498 in 2024. In practice, conversational English is concentrated among urban under-30s and in tourism/hospitality hubs, and is thinner in rural areas. Expat communities are large and active in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. On visas, U.S. citizens can obtain a 90-day e-visa ($25 single / $50 multiple entry, all nationalities eligible since 2023), but Vietnam offers no dedicated retirement or digital-nomad visa; long-term residence runs through an employer-sponsored work permit plus a Temporary Residence Card, or an investor (ĐT) visa. Proposed 5–10 year 'Golden Visa' and 5-year 'Talent Visa' programs were under government review in 2025 but are not yet enacted (Vietnam Briefing, 2025).
Visa Options
5-Year Talent Visa
New visa introduced in 2025 targeting skilled professionals, digital nomads, scientists, artists, and medical professionals. Allows multi-entry stays of up to 90 days per visit over 5 years. Many holders do not need a separate work permit.
5-Year Visa Exemption (Vietnamese Origin)
For foreigners of Vietnamese origin or spouses/children of Vietnamese citizens. Allows stays up to 180 days per visit over 5 years, renewable.
Business Visa (DN)
For business visits without local employment - meetings, conferences, market research.
E-Visa (Electronic Visa)
Single- or multiple-entry electronic visa valid for up to 90 days, available to U.S. citizens (all nationalities since 2023). For tourism/visiting; does not permit local employment (including remote work) and cannot be extended from within Vietnam. Fee USD 25 (single entry) / USD 50 (multiple entry).
Golden Visa (PROPOSED — not yet enacted)
PROPOSED program under review by the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board as of 2025; NOT yet in force. Would grant 5–10 year renewable residency to individuals making economic, scientific, or cultural contributions, with passive-investment options, piloted in Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Investment thresholds not yet published.
Talent Visa (PROPOSED — not yet enacted)
PROPOSED 5-year visa; draft decree was under Ministry of Public Security review in July 2025 and is NOT yet enacted. Would allow up to 90 days per stay and target priority-sector tech professionals (semiconductors, AI), medical scientists at high-level institutions, executives of global top-100 firms by market cap, and high-follower (1M+) creators. Income thresholds not specified for most categories.
Work Visa (LD) with Work Permit
For foreign workers sponsored by Vietnamese company. Requires separate work permit.
Highlights
- ✓World's #1 most affordable country for expats four years running (InterNations Expat Insider 2024, via CNBC)
- ✓Living costs ~61.5% below the US; Numbeo Cost of Living Index 26.6 vs New York = 100 (Numbeo 2025/2026)
- ✓City-center one-bedroom rent averages ~$422/mo and 60+ Mbps internet ~$9/mo (Numbeo, June 2026)
- ✓U.S. State Department Level 1 'Exercise Normal Precautions' — the safest advisory tier (2025)
- ✓Global Peace Index 2025 rank 38 of 163, score 1.721 — up one place year-over-year (IEP, June 2025)
- ✓English rising to 'Moderate' (B1–B2): EF EPI 2025 score 500, rank 64/123, up from 'Low' in 2024
- ✓Strong private/international hospitals in HCMC and Hanoi; Numbeo Health Care Index 62.8 (May 2026)
- ✓90-day e-visa open to U.S. citizens for $25 single / $50 multiple entry (evisa.gov.vn)
Considerations
- !No dedicated retirement or digital-nomad visa exists; the tourist/e-visa explicitly bars local work (incl. remote work) and cannot be extended in-country
- !Long-term residence requires an employer-sponsored work permit + Temporary Residence Card, or a high-threshold investor (ĐT) visa starting around $115,000
- !Proposed Golden Visa (5–10 yr) and Talent Visa (5 yr) were only under review in 2025 — NOT yet enacted; do not assume availability
- !Path to permanent residency is narrow and naturalization to citizenship is rare for foreigners
- !Public healthcare quality is only moderate; expats rely on private cover — international plans averaged ~$4,547/yr in 2024, though regional plans run ~$600–$1,200/yr
- !English is uneven outside cities and tourist zones; Vietnamese still essential for daily life in many areas
- !Numbeo Safety/Health/Cost indices are crowd-sourced perception data (medium reliability) — treat as directional, not official statistics
- !Cost figures vary by city: Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang run ~10–20% below HCMC/Hanoi (International Living)