Vietnam (VN)

Confirm TM30 temporary residence registration

Vietnamese law requires foreigners to register their temporary address within 24 hours of arrival at any accommodation. Hotels do this automatically. When renting privately, your landlord must register your presence at the local People's Committee (phường). Failure to register causes problems at visa extensions, TRC applications, banking and immigration checks.

File quarterly PIT provisional return (self-employed or multiple income)

Self-employed individuals, freelancers and those with multiple income sources must file quarterly PIT provisional returns by 30 April (Q1), 31 July (Q2), 31 October (Q3) and 31 January following year (Q4). Employees with only one employer: employer handles withholding and annual filing on your behalf.

Coordinate work permit application with your employer

All foreigners working in Vietnam require a Work Permit (Giấy Phép Lao Động) unless specifically exempt. Your employer (Vietnamese entity) files at DOLISA. Required documents from you: apostilled criminal background check, apostilled degree certificate, health certificate from Vietnamese-approved hospital, experience proof. Start gathering apostilled documents as early as possible — apostilles from some countries take weeks.

Verify entry stamp and admitted-until date at immigration

Before walking away from passport control at any Vietnamese airport or border, photograph your entry stamp and verify: (1) The admitted-until date matches your visa type (e-visa = 90 days from entry). (2) The visa category matches your purpose (DN/EV for e-visa, DL for tourist). (3) Your passport number is correctly recorded. A wrong stamp is correctable at the border; it becomes a bureaucratic nightmare later.

Get compulsory vehicle liability insurance for motorbike or car

Third-party liability insurance (Bảo hiểm TNDS) is mandatory for all registered vehicles. Annual cost: VND 60,500–66,000 for motorbikes (Decree 67/2023). Available at Bảo Việt, PVI, PTI branches and online. Traffic police check this regularly — carry the certificate.

Register for a Personal Income Tax code

All individuals earning income in Vietnam must register for a PIT tax code (mã số thuế) at the provincial Tax Department. Employees are typically registered by their employer. Self-employed and remote workers should register independently. Required for: payslips, tax filing, refunds and property transactions.

Confirm BHXH/BHYT social insurance registration with HR

Your employer must register you with BHXH within 30 days of your labour contract start date. Verify that you are registered, receive your BHXH book (Sổ BHXH) and BHYT card (thẻ BHYT), and check that the contributory salary recorded matches your payslip.

Create a visa and immigration deadline calendar

Track: visa admitted-until date, work permit expiry, TRC expiry, 90-day reporting intervals (if applicable), passport renewal date, and any dependent family member immigration dates. Use cloud calendar with reminders at 90, 60, 30 and 7 days before each date.

Plan ahead for Tet (Lunar New Year) service closures

Vietnam essentially closes for 7–10 days during Tet (late January/early February). Government offices, banks, most businesses, many hospitals, and nearly all food service businesses close. Expats must plan medication supplies, cash withdrawals, food stocks and any scheduled administrative tasks BEFORE the Tet closure begins.

Annual review of all immigration and compliance documents

At each year anniversary of your Vietnam residence, review: passport validity, visa/TRC expiry, work permit expiry, BHXH book accuracy, bank KYC update status, insurance renewals, lease renewal, tax filing status, and children's school enrolment confirmation. Create a checklist and go through it systematically.

Complete departure checklist before leaving Vietnam

Before final departure: settle lease (30–60 days notice), file final PIT return, apply for BHXH lump-sum (if eligible), notify DOLISA work permit cancellation via employer, close or maintain bank accounts, cancel internet and utilities, register pet export if applicable, get deposit returned from landlord.

Build an annual document renewal calendar

Track all critical expiry dates: visa/e-visa, work permit (Giấy phép lao động), TRC (Thẻ tạm trú), passport, driving licence, health insurance policy, lease agreement, work contract, business licence. In Vietnam, extensions require 30–60 days lead time due to document preparation (apostilles, translations, police checks). A missed work permit deadline can force you to leave Vietnam.

Keep an official receipts and certificates folder

Vietnam is document-intensive. Keep physical or digital copies of: passport bio pages, all visa stamps and entry records, work permit, TRC, BHXH book/card, tax code certificate, lease agreement, utility bills (proof of address), bank statements, health insurance certificate, notarised document translations, and employer letters. Lost documents require expensive retranslation and notarisation.

Open a Vietnamese bank account

A local bank account is required for: salary receipt, QR payments, rent bank transfers, tax payment, MoMo setup, and demonstrating financial stability for immigration. VPBank and Vietcombank are most accessible for expats. Bring passport, visa and temporary residence registration evidence.

Update bank KYC records after visa, work permit or passport renewal

Vietnamese banks (Vietcombank, Techcombank, VPBank, HSBC Vietnam) are required to maintain current KYC (Know Your Customer) records. When your passport, visa, or work permit is renewed, you must update your bank records within 30–60 days. Outdated records can result in: account access restrictions, failed international transfers, frozen online banking, or inability to renew debit/credit cards.

Get a Vietnamese SIM card with passport registration

A Vietnamese phone number is essential for: banking OTPs, Grab app, Zalo (mandatory for landlords and employers), delivery apps, hospital registration, school WhatsApp groups, and government online services. Buy at the airport counter (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone) or any official carrier shop with your passport.

Set up home internet and confirm building installation approval

Fibre broadband is fast and affordable in Vietnamese cities. Viettel FiberVDC, VNPT, and FPT Telecom are the main providers. Installation requires landlord approval and a technician visit. Most modern condos have existing fibre infrastructure — ask before signing a new contract. Monthly plans: VND 150,000–350,000 for 100–300Mbps.

Learn Vietnam-specific scam patterns before arriving

Common Vietnam scams: fake taxis, currency confusion (₫100,000 vs. ₫1,000,000 confusion), gem investment scams, free tea/shoe-shine scam, property Red Book fraud, romance scams and banking phishing. Knowing the patterns before encountering them is your best protection.

Prepare a typhoon and flood emergency plan

Vietnam's Central Coast and Northern regions face typhoon risk from July–November. HCMC flooding from May–October. Prepare: emergency water supply (5L bottles × 3 days minimum), first aid kit, cash, portable power bank, offline map download, and evacuation route if your building is in a flood-prone area.

Save your Vietnamese address in Vietnamese script

Keep your full Vietnamese address saved in Vietnamese on your phone — including: building name, room number, street (đường), ward (phường), district (quận/huyện), province/city. Show it to Grab drivers, taxi drivers, ambulance dispatchers, and delivery couriers. Vietnamese addresses can be confusing to foreign eyes — having the Vietnamese text pre-saved prevents errors.

Download Zalo and set up with Vietnamese number

Zalo is Vietnam's dominant messaging app. Landlords, building managers, local businesses, Vietnamese colleagues, delivery drivers and school administrators all use Zalo. Without it, communicating in Vietnam is significantly harder. Set up within 24 hours of getting your SIM.

Set up Grab and MoMo for transport and payments

Grab is the primary transport and delivery app in Vietnam. MoMo is the leading e-wallet for QR payments. Both are linked to your Vietnamese bank account (once opened). Install both immediately — you will use them daily.

Set up Vietnamese digital payment wallets

MoMo (most popular), ZaloPay, and VNPay QR are essential for daily payments: market stalls, cafés, convenience stores, utilities, taxi top-ups, and hospital fees. All require a Vietnamese bank account and phone number. Setup takes 10–15 minutes. VietQR enables bank-to-bank QR transfers between all Vietnamese banks.

Shortlist and apply to international school for children

Top international schools in HCMC (BIS, ISHCMC, SSIS) and Hanoi (UNIS, BVIS, HIS) have waitlists of 6–18 months. Apply as early as possible — ideally before confirming your lease. Choose accommodation based on proximity to the shortlisted school, not the other way around.

Register children under 6 at international or bilingual preschool

For children aged 18 months–6 years: international preschools (Kinderworld, British International Early Years, Tiny Learners) are popular with expat families. Registration is rolling but popular schools fill fast. Request a school tour before enrolling.

Test international transfers before a large payment deadline

Run a small test transfer (USD 50–100) into Vietnam before rent, school fees, property deposits or visa-related financial proof deadlines. Vietnamese banks occasionally flag large incoming transfers for compliance review — this can take 1–5 business days. Foreign transfers must declare purpose (salary, investment, living expenses) and may require documentation from the receiving bank.

Save Vietnam emergency numbers and nearest international hospital

Store: Police 113, Fire 114, Ambulance 115, Tourist Hotline 1800 599 920. Plus your nearest international hospital emergency number, your insurer 24/7 hotline, and International SOS if enrolled. Save your home address in Vietnamese script for emergencies.

Register at an international clinic as your primary care provider

Register at Family Medical Practice (HCMC or Hanoi) or a Vinmec/FV outpatient clinic before you need urgent care. Provide your insurance card and passport. Get a BHYT card if enrolled. Know your nearest 24-hour emergency department.

Identify an English-speaking mental health provider

Find a therapist or counsellor before you need one urgently. Options: Family Medical Practice psychologists, FV Hospital psychiatry, Hanoi Counselling Center, Open Sky Counseling (Vietnam-based), or BetterHelp online. Expat-specific challenges (isolation, language barrier, culture shock) are better addressed proactively.

Prepare for air quality season in Hanoi

Hanoi consistently ranks among Asia's most polluted cities during October–March, with PM2.5 frequently exceeding WHO safe limits (15 μg/m³) by 5–10×. HCMC has moderate air quality issues year-round. Children and those with respiratory conditions are most at risk. Real-time monitoring: IQAir Vietnam, AirVisual app, Vietnam Environment Administration AQI portal.

Activate and register your BHYT public health insurance card at a district hospital

After your employer registers you with BHXH, you will receive a BHYT health insurance card (thẻ bảo hiểm y tế). This card gives you access to subsidised treatment at public hospitals — but only at the specific hospital listed on the card as your primary facility (bệnh viện đăng ký khám chữa bệnh ban đầu). You must register at that hospital before your first visit. Failing to use the correct registered hospital means paying 100% of costs without BHYT coverage, or being classified as an emergency patient at a higher rate.

Review lease contract before paying deposit

Vietnamese leases vary enormously. Check before signing: deposit amount and return conditions, utility billing method (EVN rate or landlord markup), TM30 registration support commitment, early exit terms, repair obligations, pet policy, subletting rules, and annual rent increase cap.

Document apartment condition at move-in

Before moving in, photograph every room, appliance, wall, floor and fitting with timestamps. Record meter readings (electricity, water). Note all existing damage in a signed inventory. Send photos to the landlord via Zalo on Day 1 — this creates a timestamped record that protects your deposit at departure.

Set up internet, utilities and confirm billing method

Confirm how electricity (EVN or landlord markup?), water and internet are billed. Set up a fibre internet connection — VNPT, Viettel or FPT (installation 3–14 days, may require landlord approval). MoMo or VNPay enables online utility bill payment.

Check flood risk and drainage before choosing housing in HCMC

Ho Chi Minh City has chronic urban flooding, particularly in Districts 8, Binh Chanh, and low-lying areas of Districts 7 and 12. Monsoon flooding (May–October) can submerge streets and parking levels within 30 minutes of heavy rain. Even modern condos can flood if drainage is inadequate. Visit your prospective home during or after heavy rain before signing a lease.

Create a home inventory for deposit and insurance purposes

On move-in day, photograph and video every room: furniture condition, appliances, cracks, stains, meter readings, air-conditioning units, locks, keys and access cards. Send the photos to your landlord via Zalo or email immediately — a timestamped send creates proof of existing conditions. This prevents disputed deductions from your security deposit at move-out.

Arrange international health insurance before first week

BHYT (if enrolled) covers public hospitals only. International private hospitals (Vinmec, FV, Hanoi French) are not covered by BHYT. You need international health insurance for proper expat-standard healthcare. Confirm direct billing at your target hospitals before purchasing.

Start a practical Vietnamese language plan

Vietnamese is a tonal language with 6 tones — mispronunciation creates misunderstanding. But even 50–100 hours of study produces a dramatic quality-of-life improvement: ordering food, giving directions to Grab drivers, reading menus, navigating markets, and building rapport with Vietnamese colleagues. The Latin-based script (Quốc Ngữ) is readable within a week.

Understand Vietnam's strict drug laws

Vietnam has some of the strictest drug laws in Southeast Asia. Possession of illegal drugs: imprisonment. Trafficking: the death penalty applies and has been carried out against foreigners. This is not a theoretical risk — several foreign nationals are on death row in Vietnam for drug offences. There are zero exceptions for personal use, cultural norms or medical claims without Vietnamese prescription.

Know the consumer complaint process in Vietnam

Vietnam's Consumer Protection Law (No. 19/2023/QH15, effective July 2024) provides rights to refund, exchange, and compensation for defective goods and services. Complaints can be filed with: Vietnam Competition and Consumer Authority (VCCA) — hotline 1800 6838; provincial Department of Industry and Trade (Sở Công Thương); or through Zalo/online dispute portals for e-commerce (Shopee, Lazada have mandatory resolution processes).

Verify pet policy of accommodation in writing

Many HCMC and Hanoi condominiums prohibit pets or restrict size, breed and floor access. "Pet-friendly" agent descriptions may conflict with actual building management rules. Get the pet policy in writing from the building management company before signing a lease or paying a deposit.

Register with your home country embassy

Most countries offer resident registration for emergency alerts, evacuation, voting registration and consular welfare support. US: STEP (step.state.gov). UK: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam. Australia: Smartraveller. Germany: Auslandsvertretungssuche. Takes 10–15 minutes and provides critical support in typhoon, political or civil emergency situations.

Obtain Vietnamese motorbike licence if riding regularly

If you ride a motorbike (>50cc) regularly in Vietnam, you need a Vietnamese Class A2 motorbike licence. An IDP covers visitors for short periods but not long-stay residents. A car licence does NOT cover motorbikes. Riding without correct licence invalidates your insurance claims after an accident.

Convert your foreign driving licence for long-stay residents

Foreigners staying more than 3 months in Vietnam and driving regularly should obtain a Vietnamese driving licence. Vietnam has bilateral licence exchange agreements with some countries (check with your embassy). Without a bilateral agreement: attend a theoretical test at the provincial Department of Transport (Sở GTVT). Car (B1/B2), motorbike (A1/A2), and truck licences are separate categories.