Your starting point in Vietnam

Moving to Vietnam: Your Arrival & Settling-In Guide

A successful move to Vietnam starts with choosing the correct immigration route, finding accommodation that supports your routine and understanding the requirements attached to your stay.

Build your plan around work, transport, healthcare, connectivity and family needs. A neighbourhood that feels convenient on holiday may function very differently during a normal working week.

Use this guide to prepare before departure, organise your first days and establish a sustainable routine during your first month.

Your nationality, passport type, purpose of travel and intended length of stay determine which requirements apply.

Confirm with Vietnamese Immigration or the Vietnamese embassy responsible for your location:

• Whether you qualify for visa exemption or need a visa.

• Which category covers your intended activities.

• Whether sponsorship or advance approval is required.

• Passport validity and supporting document requirements.

• Which entry points accept your documents.

• Your permitted stay and entry entitlement.

• What options apply if you need to remain longer.

Do not assume another traveller’s visa exemption applies to your passport.

Keep these details separate:

Your next action: Record your intended route and verify its conditions before purchasing non-refundable travel.

Vietnam offers eVisas for eligible applicants, including options for stays of up to 90 days and single or multiple entries. Confirm the current conditions through the official immigration service.

Before applying, check:

• Your full name and passport details.

• The intended arrival date.

• Required entry and exit points.

• Whether you need another entry during the visa period.

• The document and photograph specifications.

After approval, inspect every field. Resolve errors before departure and keep the approved document available offline.

Do not assume that submitting an application means approval is guaranteed or that an application automatically extends an existing stay.

Your next action: Compare the approval against your passport and complete itinerary before travelling.

Arrival procedures can change and may differ by airport.

Current UK guidance identifies a digital pre-arrival form encouraged for foreign travellers using Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. It describes the form as non-mandatory at the time of review, while noting that arrangements may change.

Before departure, check:

• Your arrival airport’s current requirements.

• Any applicable health declaration.

• Instructions from your airline.

• Whether a transit connection requires you to enter Vietnam.

Use official government services and keep any confirmation accessible offline.

Your next action: Recheck arrival instructions shortly before departure rather than relying on an old checklist.

Book initial accommodation that gives you time to inspect longer-term options.

After arrival:

1. Check your immigration stamp or entry record.

2. Confirm the date by which you must leave.

3. Raise any discrepancy before leaving border control.

4. Set reminders before your permission expires.

5. Confirm accommodation registration arrangements.

6. Establish mobile data and payment access.

7. Locate groceries, a pharmacy and suitable medical care.

Vietnamese authorities require travellers to enter and exit using the same passport. Keep your entry documents safe.

Your next action: Confirm your permitted stay before signing a long tenancy or planning further travel.

Compare locations against your normal routine.

Test regular journeys at the times you will actually travel.

For a smaller town, island or rural location, investigate specialist healthcare, supplies and backup transport before committing.

Your next action: Compare three realistic locations using the same priorities and total monthly budget.

Check the property and building carefully.

Inspect:

• Air conditioning, ventilation and damp.

• Water pressure and drainage.

• Electrical fittings and appliances.

• Internet availability at the exact unit.

• Locks, access arrangements and fire exits.

• Motorbike parking and building entry.

• Nearby construction and evening noise.

• Flood history and access during heavy rain.

Clarify these terms in writing:

Verify the owner or authorised representative. Keep receipts, photographs and a signed inventory.

Your next action: Review the agreement and complete payment breakdown before transferring a deposit.

Separate setup spending from normal monthly expenses.

Ask whether quotes include taxes, service charges, parking and building fees.

For employment, confirm salary, payment dates, probation conditions and benefits in writing.

Keep emergency funds separate from housing deposits and ordinary spending.

Your next action: Calculate your first three months of cash requirements before committing to a tenancy.

Start by testing available public transport, verified taxis and booked services.

Before driving or renting, establish:

• Which licence is accepted for your nationality.

• Whether an international driving permit is required.

• The vehicle categories you are entitled to drive.

• Required insurance and your policy’s exclusions.

• Vehicle registration and condition.

• Deposit, excess and accident procedures.

Motorcycle accidents are a serious risk. Use a suitable helmet and do not leave your passport as rental security.

Photograph a rental vehicle before collection and return.

Your next action: Confirm your licence and insurance before paying for a vehicle.

Identify a suitable clinic and emergency facility near your accommodation.

Ask your insurer:

• Which providers it supports.

• Whether direct billing is available.

• Whether advance approval is required.

• How pre-existing conditions are handled.

• Whether prescriptions and specialist treatment are covered.

• Whether evacuation and planned activities are included.

Vietnam restricts certain medicines, including controlled and psychotropic products. Check your exact medication, permitted quantity and supporting documentation before departure. Do not assume a prescription from home is sufficient.

Obtain travel-health advice for your itinerary and plan for continuity of treatment.

Your next action: Confirm medication requirements and medical cover before travelling.

Employment, study, family residence, investment and other activities require different assessments.

Before starting employment, ask:

• Which visa and work authorisation apply?

• Is a work permit or documented exemption required?

• Who handles the applications?

• Which documents need authentication or translation?

• When may you legally begin?

• What happens when the role ends?

Do not treat a visitor visa or eVisa as unrestricted employment permission.

For remote work, freelancing or running a business, obtain current advice specific to your arrangement. Review tax obligations separately from immigration permission.

Your next action: Confirm the correct route before accepting a start date or long-term commitment.

Before departure

• Confirm your immigration route and entry point.

• Check visa details and applicable declarations.

• Prepare documents and medication.

• Arrange insurance, accommodation and transport.

Within 72 hours

• Check your permitted stay.

• Confirm accommodation registration.

• Establish communication and payment access.

• Locate healthcare and everyday essentials.

During your first week

• Inspect housing and test regular journeys.

• Confirm work or longer-stay requirements.

• Test internet and mobile backup.

• Replace budget estimates with actual costs.

Before the end of your first month

• Complete outstanding administrative tasks.

• Confirm renewal deadlines.

• Review housing, spending and insurance.

• Establish a sustainable routine and regular connections.