Digital nomad guide to Vietnam

How to extend your stay in Vietnam as a digital nomad

The standard pathway for nomads moving to Vietnam. Specific income tests, processing times, and document requirements live in the visa story above and per-city cards — these are the steps you take in order.

1. 1

   Apply for the 90-day e-Visa

   Vietnam's primary nomad pathway is the 90-day multi-entry e-Visa, available to most passports. Apply through evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (the only official portal — beware copycats charging 3× more). Single-entry e-Visa exists but multi-entry is what you want.

2. 2

   Bring proof of onward travel

   Border officers at Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh (SGN), and Da Nang (DAD) frequently check for an exit ticket. Carry one even if your plans are flexible. Hotels in major cities can usually provide accommodation proof if asked.

3. 3

   Wait 3–5 business days

   Vietnam's e-Visa processing is consistently 3–5 business days. Print both the e-Visa PDF and the receipt — Vietnamese border control sometimes wants both.

4. 4

   Use the 90-day stretch as one or multiple entries

   Multi-entry e-Visa lets you exit and re-enter (Cambodia/Laos/Thailand border runs are common) without burning the visa. Total stay across all entries is 90 days from first entry.

5. 5

   Border-run or apply fresh for longer stays

   There's no in-country extension path — once 90 days are up, exit and apply for a fresh e-Visa. Most nomads doing 6+ month Vietnam runs cycle in/out via Bangkok or Phnom Penh, getting a new e-Visa each cycle.

6. 6

   No DNV path — plan rotations

   Vietnam has no formal DNV as of 2026. The 90-day e-Visa is the path. Long-term residency requires marriage, family ties, or a sponsored work permit through a Vietnamese employer.

Process subject to change — confirm current rules with the Vietnam consulate before booking flights.

• Hoi An

  Slow-pace nomads who want a small-town Vietnamese base with beach access.

  $1,070per month

  CostClimateFIREOpen guide →

• Da Nang

  SE-Asia beach-and-coworking nomads who want a cheaper Bangkok alternative.

  $1,080per month

  CostClimateFIREOpen guide →

• Hanoi

  Northern-Vietnam nomads who want four seasons and old-quarter density at SE-Asia prices.

  $1,080per month

  CostClimateFIREOpen guide →

• Ho Chi Minh City

  Nomads who want SE-Asia density and street-food-to-banh-mi food culture.

  $1,210per month

  CostClimateFIREOpen guide →

Other Asia bases

• 🇹🇭Thailand7 cities
• 🇮🇩Indonesia3 cities
• 🇲🇾Malaysia3 cities
• 🇵🇭Philippines3 cities
• 🇯🇵Japan5 cities
• 🇰🇷South Korea3 cities

Other Tourist + Extension countries

The 14 countries below share Vietnam’s visa structure — useful when Vietnamdoesn’t fit and you want a similar pathway elsewhere.

• 🇹🇷TürkiyeEurope
• 🇮🇩IndonesiaAsia
• 🇵🇭PhilippinesAsia
• 🇸🇬SingaporeAsia
• 🇮🇳IndiaAsia
• 🇳🇵NepalAsia
• 🇰🇭CambodiaAsia
• 🇪🇨EcuadorAmericas
• 🇵🇪PeruAmericas
• 🇨🇱ChileAmericas
• 🇺🇾UruguayAmericas
• 🇪🇬EgyptAfrica
• 🇰🇪KenyaAfrica
• 🇳🇿New ZealandOceania

Frequently asked questions

• Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa?+

  90-day e-visa (multi-entry); no formal DNV. Visa runs require neighboring trips. Confirm the current pathway with the consulate before booking flights.

• How long can digital nomads stay in Vietnam?+

  Stays of up to 6 months at a stretch on the most nomad-relevant pathway. The most common track is "Extendable tourist". 90-day e-visa (multi-entry); no formal DNV. Visa runs require neighboring trips.

• What's the cost of living for digital nomads in Vietnam?+

  Mid-tier monthly costs across 4 Vietnam cities on Nomada range $1,070–$1,210, with a median of $1,080. Numbers cover rent, groceries, dining, transport, utilities, and a coworking pass.

• What are the best cities in Vietnam for digital nomads?+

  Nomada tracks 4 Vietnam cities. The most cost-efficient bases right now: Hoi An ($1,070/mo) for slow-pace nomads who want a small-town vietnamese base with beach access.; Da Nang ($1,080/mo) for se-asia beach-and-coworking nomads who want a cheaper bangkok alternative.; Hanoi ($1,080/mo) for northern-vietnam nomads who want four seasons and old-quarter density at se-asia prices..

• When is the best time to visit Vietnam as a digital nomad?+

  Climate averages cluster within nomad-comfortable temp, humidity, and rainfall ranges around November–April. Mountain and coastal cities can flip that picture — check the per-city climate page for each base.

• Is Vietnam nomad-friendly?+

  Across the cities Nomada tracks, Vietnam reads as workable for nomads, with friction varying by city and length of stay. Best for: cheap se-asia base with strong food and street density.

Build your stack for Vietnam

• Travel insuranceLong-term, nomad-friendly cover that follows you across Vietnam
• Multi-currency bankingAvoid the 4% conversion fees foreign cards rack up across Vietnam
• eSIM data planDay-one connectivity in Vietnam without local-SIM friction
• Coworking & colivingDay passes, monthly memberships, and verified workspaces in Vietnam
• Visa conciergesFiling help and concierge services for Vietnam residency paths
• Flight dealsCheapest routes in and out of Vietnam