Expats Living in Vietnam: 10 Laws and Insights You Must Know

With its beautiful scenery and tropical lifestyle, it’s no surprise that Vietnam is an attractive destination for many expats. However, as an expat living in Vietnam, you should be aware that expats life here is quite different from other popular regions due to Vietnam’s unique political structure, geographical location, economic framework, social norms, and quality of life.

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What many expats may not realize is that Vietnam’s laws can differ significantly from those in other countries. While some rules might seem too stringent, and locals may occasionally overlook them, it’s essential to understand what is acceptable and what isn’t. Failing to do so could result in serious consequences, including imprisonment.

Expats who consider moving to Vietnam or currently live there, check out the following laws to enjoy your stay in Vietnam and do not put yourself at any risk.

1. Drugs

Vietnam maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, with severe penalties enforced under Decree 60/2020 ND-CP. Possession of heroin can lead to the death penalty, while drug trafficking results in lengthy prison sentences. Recent statistics indicate that drug-related offenses remain a significant concern, prompting ongoing government crackdowns. Law enforcement has been actively cracking down on drug trafficking, resulting in the seizure of over 542 kg of drugs through various operations along its borders.

2. Work Permit

Even though starting a company in Vietnam isn’t overly difficult, expats will quickly notice the obvious bureaucracy. You’ll need permits for almost every aspect of running a business, and for expats, working or starting a business without a work permit is illegal.

According to Article 22, Decree No. 95/2013/ND-CP, expats who work without permits will be deported immediately; and for their employers, the fine can be up to VND 75 million with the possibility of their operations being suspended from 1 to 3 months.

3. Prostitution

Despite the existence of prostitution establishments, often involving underaged workers, sex work is illegal in Vietnam and criminalized under Vietnamese law. Expats should be aware that the government and police are actively conducting raids and cracking down on sex trafficking and sex work. Penalties for involvement can include fines ranging from VND 1 million to 40 million, depending on the nature of the offense.

Prostitution Prevention and Combat can be found in Order No. 10/2003/PL-UBTVQH11

4. Visa

Visa requirements can be particularly complicated for expats. It’s essential to understand them, apply for and hold the correct visa, and stay updated with immigration officials on the latest information. More often than not, the visa application process for expats, especially for long-term stays and residency in Vietnam, involves significant bureaucracy, extensive paperwork, and long delays.

However, do not be discouraged. Apply well in advance, consult a visa agent in Vietnam, and be patient. In any case, make sure that you do not violate visa conditions by working without a work permit or overstaying a tourist visa.

Vietnam offers various entry visas with different symbols and validity periods. Five common visa types include:

Symbol ĐT (Investor Visa): Valid for 1 to 10 years, issued to foreign investors.
Symbol LĐ (Work Visa): Valid for up to 2 years, issued to foreign workers.
Symbol DN (Business Visa): Valid for up to 1 year, issued to those working with companies in Vietnam.
Symbol TT (Dependent Visa): Valid for up to 1 year, issued to parents, spouses, and children under 18 of foreigners holding ĐT, LĐ, or DN visas.
Symbol DL (Tourist Visa): Issued to tourists.

Read Related: Can You Renew Your Work Visa in Vietnam?

Download the full PDF guide for the Vietnam Visa Guide now!

5. Nudity

Don’t be surprised that, despite the abundance of beaches, there are no nude beaches in Vietnam. While locals are generally tolerant of revealing clothing in tourist areas, the culture remains relatively conservative.

Public nudity is not acceptable, so it’s best to avoid anything that could be considered offensive or get you into trouble. Keep in mind that such behavior is only appropriate in the privacy of your own space.

6. Buy a Property, Not Land

As a foreigner living in Vietnam, you may purchase property or houses in the country. However, if you have ever thought of buying land and building your dream house on it, it is almost impossible. According to Land Law No. 45/2013/QH13 dated November 29, 2013, lands are assets that belong to the country, so you can only buy the structure built on the land, but not the land itself.

In other words, the house belongs to you, but the land that the house is on does not, according to

As the owner of the property, you can enjoy the right to use the land for up to 50 years in the form of a land lease. The lease can be renewed without the rent being increased. The property is yours indefinitely as long as you lease the land.

7. Capital Required to Start a Business

Apart from the start-up capital, in order to get a license and start a business in Vietnam, there are no other financial requirements. However, it is highly recommended to have at least US$25,000 in your bank.

8. Register Yourself with the Authority

As an expat, once you have moved into a residence, you need to register yourself with the local police. If you are a foreign tourist, your hotel or accommodation will do this on your behalf. The reason for registering yourself is that the police know you live in that place and you will be held accountable for any violation of regulations.

9. Exporting Antique

It is not new that you cannot bring any antique home from Vietnam. All antiques and cultural artifacts will need approval from the Ministry of Culture in Vietnam before they can even leave the country. No matter how much you love an antique you have seen somewhere in Vietnam, it is illegal, and no way for you to export antiques from Vietnam without a permit.

10. Protected Species Trade

Vietnam is a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The government is trying its best to stop the illegal trade and prevent it from threatening the biological heritage of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. As a result, you will face a long jail time of up to 12 years and a fine of up to VND 1.5 billion if found guilty of hunting or trading endangered or protected species.

Conclusion

Being expats living in Vietnam is not always easy. However, if you know the laws of immigration procedures and are willing to comply without fail, Vietnam can definitely be a wonderful place to live and work.

For better understanding, seek professional advice from advisors and do detailed research before you move. With that, you are guaranteed not to end up on the other side of the law once you are there and you can enjoy your life as expats living in Vietnam!

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