Planning a workation in Ho Chi Minh City? Or a business trip to Hanoi or Da Nang? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Vietnam, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Hanoi
Telephone code
+84
Official language
Vietnamese
Currency
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Time zone
UTC+7
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Vietnam has social security agreements with several countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
Vietnam has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Vietnam. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in Vietnam, the employer may be required to:
- Register the company locally
- Allocate profits to the local business (branch)
- File corporate taxes
- Comply with various local regulations
To avoid this scenario, follow the guidelines mentioned in the "Working" section.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Vietnam are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. See the recent information on minimum wage in Vietnam here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Vietnam, here's a quick overview:
- Visa-Free Entry: Available for 26 countries (stays ranging from 14 to 90 days)
- Standard Visa: Required for those not eligible for other options
- E-Visa: Available for most nationalities
- Visa on Arrival: Available with pre-approval from Vietnamese immigration
- Digital Nomad Visa: Vietnam does not currently offer a digital nomad visa program.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to Vietnam:
- Visa-Free Entry: Available for 26 countries (stays ranging from 14 to 90 days)
- Standard Visa: Required for those not eligible for other options
- E-Visa: Available for most nationalities
- Visa on Arrival: Available with pre-approval from Vietnamese immigration
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Vietnam work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 44 hours. The workday is typically running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1-2 hours in between.
Some businesses may operate on Saturday mornings, but this is not the standard work schedule.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- Lunar New Year (Tet Holiday): 5-7 days (dates vary)
- April 30: Reunification Day
- May 1: Labor Day
- September 2: National Day
- Hung Kings Commemoration Day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month)
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Vietnam has implemented the Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP on Personal Data Protection. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as moderate. That means the legal framework provides adequate data protection but may lack comprehensive scope, enforcement, or detail. While key areas are covered, certain sectors or practices remain less regulated, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
113 (Police), 115 (Ambulance), 114 (Fire)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Not advisable
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Vietnam for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow the general cautionary measures.
Domestic situation
In Vietnam, public demonstrations are prohibited and can be forcefully dispersed by security forces. Participation may result in extended pre-trial detention and lengthy prison sentences under severe conditions.
Social media posts critical of the Vietnamese government—even those made abroad—are subject to monitoring and could lead to repercussions during visits to Vietnam. Foreign nationals of Vietnamese origin have been detained and interrogated in connection to such posts without embassy notification.
Recommendations:
- Avoid demonstrations and gatherings.
- Follow instructions from security forces.
- Exercise caution when posting online about Vietnam, even while outside the country. Critical statements may lead to police questioning, delays in departure, or other legal issues during visits to Vietnam.
Military restricted areas and border vicinities
Travel near military restricted areas and borders is strongly discouraged due to risks of arrest, espionage accusations, and departure delays. These areas may not be clearly marked, and restrictions can change without notice.
Traveling in border regions requires special permits from the Ministry of Public Security, and local enforcement can be strict.
Recommendations:
- Avoid military restricted zones and border vicinities entirely unless necessary.
- Obtain permits and consult local authorities before visiting remote or border regions.
- Look for and respect signage, especially in Vietnamese.
Crime
Vietnam has a relatively low crime rate, but petty theft and scams are common, particularly in tourist areas like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang. Risks include theft of handbags or belongings by motorbike riders, scams in popular spots, and drink-spiking incidents in bars or clubs.
Specific incidents to note:
- Hanoi: Theft near train stations (especially arrivals on overnight trains), scams near Hoan Kiem Lake, and hotel cash thefts.
- Night Buses: Occasional sexual assaults reported, particularly involving solo female travelers.
- Bars & Clubs: Reports of drink-spiking leading to sexual assaults, especially in tourist-frequented areas.
- Scams: Involving street vendors (photo fees, shoe cleaning), fake home invitations, and gambling setups leading to coercion.
- Credit Card Fraud: Incidents of card cloning and unauthorized withdrawals.
Safety recommendations:
- Stay alert in crowded areas like stations, airports, and busy streets.
- Store passports, money, and important documents securely, preferably in a hotel safe. Keep electronic copies for emergencies.
- Carry a copy of your passport and valid entry stamp for police checks.
- Do not leave food or drinks unattended in bars or clubs.
- Avoid bike or motorbike taxis after dark and ask for permission before photographing vendors.
- Firmly decline unsolicited offers and avoid interacting with shoe cleaners.
- Refrain from accepting invitations to private homes from strangers.
- In case of theft, report immediately to local police at the site of the incident.
- Be cautious of unfamiliar emails, calls, or invitations, and verify credibility before engaging.
Northern Vietnam (Hanoi):
- Summer temperatures (May-October): 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Winter temperatures (November-April): 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
- High humidity year-round
- Distinct winter season
- Monsoon rains
Central Vietnam (Da Nang):
- Hot season temperatures: 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F)
- Cool season temperatures: 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F)
- Typhoon season occurs October-November
- High rainfall period
- More moderate climate
Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City):
- Wet season temperatures: 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F)
- Dry season temperatures: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Two distinct seasons
- Consistent warm temperatures
- Afternoon rains in wet season
Airports
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
When to use: Southern Vietnam access, main business hub
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
Location: Hanoi
When to use: Northern Vietnam, capital region access
Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
Location: Da Nang
When to use: Central Vietnam, coastal region access
Train stations
Hanoi Railway Station
Main connections:
- Reunification Express to Ho Chi Minh City
- Northern routes to Sapa and Hai Phong
- International trains to China (when available)
- Local connections
Ho Chi Minh City Railway Station
Main connections:
- Reunification Express to Hanoi
- Coastal route services
- Regional connections
- Local transport links
Additional services:
- North-South railway (30-40 hours)
- Overnight sleeper services
- Tourist-friendly routes
- Modern air-conditioned carriages
Ride-hailing services
- Grab
- Be
- GoJek
- Local taxi apps
Public transportation
Inter-city services
Bus services
- Extensive network
- Sleeper buses available
- Air-conditioned coaches
- Regular schedules
Urban networks
Hanoi
- Public bus system
- Metro system (under development)
- Motorbike taxis
Ho Chi Minh City
- Public bus network
- Metro system (under development)
- River bus service
- Traditional taxis