VietnamPermits.com is about the permissions that let a person stay and work in Vietnam, and the permits a business needs to run its premises day to day. Our readers are foreign employees and their HR teams, investors who want to live in Vietnam while managing their company, and operations managers preparing a factory, restaurant or school to open.
The questions we answer
A large share of our readers start with the same chain: a work permit, then a visa that matches it, then a temporary residence card. Each step depends on the previous one. If the work permit is refused or expires, the residence card cannot be renewed on that basis. We explain how these documents relate, which ones are needed for which job titles, when a foreigner is exempt from a work permit and what the exemption still requires, and what to do when a permit is about to expire or the employee changes employer. For businesses, we cover operational permits such as fire safety approval, environmental procedures and sector certificates that are checked when premises open or are inspected. Company formation and investment licensing are outside our focus.
Sections and current coverage
The site has 93 published articles in five sections:
- Work Permit (16 articles) – eligibility, documents, exemptions, renewal and revocation.
- Resident Permit (16) – visas, temporary residence cards and the rules for family members.
- Investor Permit (15) – investor visas and residence options linked to a capital contribution.
- Business Permit (14) – permits and approvals needed to operate premises and activities.
- Special Permits (14) – less common cases, such as permits for specific professions or regulated activities.
Sources and updates
We write from the Labour Code, the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners and their implementing decrees, plus sector rules for operational permits. Work permit rules for foreigners were replaced by a new decree in 2025, and local practice on documents still varies between provinces, so we revise articles when rules change and note practical variations where we know of them.
Limits
Our articles are general information and not legal advice. Whether a particular role qualifies for a work permit or an exemption depends on the employee's qualifications, the job and the employer's documents, and authorities can interpret these differently. If you need a view on your own case, send a request through the contact page; matters needing detailed handling are referred to the partner team at VDD Lawyers, who agree scope and terms with you before starting.
Corrections
Permit rules change frequently. If you notice something outdated, please send the article address and the point concerned through the contact page. We review each report and update the article when the correction is justified.