Vietnam — Tax Guide, Residency & Cost of Living for Expats

Asia · Southeast AsiaUpdated 2026

Tax Score

52/100Worldwide

Tax Data

Income Tax5% – 35%
Corporate Tax20%
Capital Gains20%
VAT/GST10%
Wealth TaxNo
Inheritance TaxNo

Residency & Visas

Golden VisaNo
Digital Nomad VisaNo

Cost of Living & Quality of Life

Cost of Living Index32
Safety7.2/10
Internet80 Mbps
Healthcare5.8/10
Gasoline$0.91/L

Tax Overview

Vietnam applies a worldwide tax system with high progressive rates. Residents are taxed on their global income, which can represent a significant burden for high earners.

Personal Income Tax

Personal income tax in Vietnam ranges from 5% – 35% progressively.

Corporate & Capital Gains

The corporate tax rate is 20%. Capital gains are taxed at 20%.

Indirect Taxes & Wealth

VAT/GST is 10%, low by international standards. There is no wealth tax. There is no inheritance tax.

Crypto & Digital Assets

Vietnam has an unfavorable crypto tax regime (score 2/5). Rates are high and/or regulations are restrictive.

Compare with other countries

Residency Guide

Relocating to Vietnam is accessible with multiple options. The country offers several residency pathways for foreigners.

Visa Options

Residency by Investment: Available.

Practical Considerations

As a non-LATAM destination, applicants should consider potential language barriers and cultural differences. Working with a local immigration attorney and verifying apostille/legalization requirements for documents is recommended.

Also consider: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait

Lifestyle

Vietnam offers a low cost of living, enabling a comfortable lifestyle on a moderate budget. It is considered a safe destination with good infrastructure.

Cost of Living

With an index of 32 (reference: 100 = New York City), Vietnam is significantly cheaper than major world cities. An expat can live comfortably at a fraction of what it would cost in the US or Western Europe.

Safety & Infrastructure

A safety score of 7.2/10 indicates a generally safe environment, with normal precautions recommended. Internet speed of 80 Mbps — adequate for remote work.

Healthcare

With a score of 5.8/10, the healthcare system has limitations. International private health insurance is highly recommended for expats.

Quality of Life

Vietnam has a Human Development Index of 0.726 (classification: high). This reflects good overall standards, though with areas for improvement.

Data: 2026 · Source: tax_foundation,pwc,manual

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No wealth tax
  • No inheritance tax
  • Residency by investment
  • Very low cost of living (index 32)
  • High safety rating (7.2/10)
  • Excellent value: affordable and safe

Cons

  • Worldwide tax system — global income taxed
  • Unfavorable crypto regime (2/5)
  • Private health insurance recommended (5.8/10)
  • Physical presence requirement (183+ days/year)

Frequently Asked Questions

Vietnam operates under a worldwide tax system: taxes residents on worldwide income, regardless of where it is earned. The top personal income tax rate is 35%.

About this guide

Researched and maintained by the TuLugar team, based in Asunción, Paraguay.

Data sourced from PwC, Numbeo, UNDP, and Ookla.

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