Vietnam (VN)

Must have at least 6 months validity beyond your planned stay. Required for all visa applications, immigration checks, hotel check-in, SIM registration, banking, hospital registration and any interaction with Vietnamese authorities. Keep a certified photocopy separate from the original.

Vietnam E-Visa (DN/EV) is valid for 90 days, multiple entry, available to ~190 nationalities at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn for USD 25. Visa-on-arrival requires a pre-approved letter plus airport stamp fee. Long-stay visas (LD — Labour, DT — Investment, TT — family) available through relevant sponsoring agencies. Always carry the visa or print of the e-visa approval.

Multiple-year residence document (1–5 years) issued to work permit holders, investors, priests, spouses/relatives of Vietnamese citizens and certain visa categories. Replaces the need for repeated single-use visas. Apply at the Immigration Department (Phòng Quản Lý Xuất Nhập Cảnh) in your province. Required documents: valid passport, work permit or relevant supporting evidence, police clearance certificate, health certificate, 4×6 photos.

Mandatory for all foreigners working in Vietnam, except those meeting specific exemption criteria. Valid up to 2 years, renewable. Employer (Vietnamese entity) files the application at the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA — Sở LĐTBXH). Required documents: criminal background check (apostilled from home country), health certificate from Vietnamese-approved hospital, degree certificates (apostilled), evidence of 3+ years professional experience, 4×6 photos, application forms.

Must be obtained from your home country's competent authority and translated into Vietnamese by a certified translator. Validity: typically 6 months from date of issue. Required for work permit applications, TRC, certain visa categories and some professional licence applications. Vietnam's DOLISA regulations require apostille for documents from Hague Convention member countries; documents from non-Hague countries require full consular legalisation. Note: Vietnam acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention on 31 December 2025, with the convention effective from 11 September 2026 — after that date, apostille will apply reciprocally for Vietnamese documents used abroad.

Medical examination from a Vietnamese Ministry of Health-approved hospital or clinic is required for work permit and TRC applications. Must include general physical examination, blood tests, chest X-ray and be issued within 12 months of the application date. International hospitals like Vinmec, FV Hospital and Hanoi French Hospital all issue these.

University degrees and professional qualifications required for work permit applications must be translated into Vietnamese by a certified Vietnamese translator. DOLISA requires apostille for degrees from Hague Convention member countries; non-Hague country degrees require full consular legalisation. Must demonstrate 3+ years of relevant work experience in the applied profession. Originals and notarised copies required.

Marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption papers and other civil status documents must be translated into Vietnamese by a certified translation office (công ty dịch thuật công chứng). Many administrative procedures require both the original (apostilled where applicable) and the Vietnamese translation to be notarised at a Vietnamese notary office (phòng công chứng).

Foreigners are legally required to register their temporary address within 24 hours of arrival at any accommodation. Hotels handle this automatically. When renting, the landlord must register the foreigner's temporary residence at the local People's Committee (phường/xã). This registration is required for tax registration, banking, SIM card, visa extension and various official purposes. Ask your landlord for the Sổ Tạm Trú (Temporary Residence Book) entry.

Individuals earning income in Vietnam must obtain a Personal Income Tax (PIT) code from the Tax Department (Cục Thuế) of their province. Employees are typically registered by their employer. Self-employed individuals and freelancers register directly. Required for: filing tax returns, claiming refunds, salary processing, and property transactions. Free to obtain.

Physical booklet recording your social insurance contribution history in Vietnam. Issued by the Vietnam Social Insurance (BHXH) agency. Required for claiming sickness, maternity and retirement benefits. Keep carefully — replacements are time-consuming. Your employer registers you and receives the book on your behalf within 30 days of hire.

The Sổ Hồng (Pink/Red Book) is the definitive proof of property ownership in Vietnam. Foreigners who purchase apartments or houses are issued a Sổ Hồng in their name for a 50-year term (extendable). Under Housing Law No. 27/2023/QH15 (effective 1 January 2025), foreigners with valid entry permits are eligible to own property subject to quota limits. Verify authenticity at the local Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Sở TNMT) before purchase.