The Best Visas for Entrepreneurs in Vietnam
From the DT investor visa to the new Golden Visa, e-visa and company setup: a complete guide to visa options for entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in Vietnam in 2025-2026.
Author
Dreaming of launching your business in Vietnam? With its 100 million inhabitants, one of the most dynamic economic growth rates in Southeast Asia, and a still very attractive cost of living, Vietnam is drawing more and more foreign entrepreneurs. But before taking the leap, you need to understand which visa to choose. Here's an overview of the most relevant options in 2025-2026.
The Investor Visa (DT): the gold standard for entrepreneurs
The DT visa (Dau Tu) is the go-to visa for any foreigner wanting to create and manage a business in Vietnam. It comes in 4 categories based on investment amount:
- DT1: investment of VND 100 billion+ (~$4 million USD) — 5-year visa, Temporary Residence Card (TRC) up to 10 years
- DT2: VND 50-100 billion (~$2-4 million USD) — 3 to 5-year visa, TRC up to 10 years
- DT3: VND 3-50 billion (~$120,000-$2 million USD) — 3-year visa, TRC up to 5 years
- DT4: under VND 3 billion (~$120,000 USD) — 1-year visa, TRC up to 2 years
Why DT3 is the sweet spot for most entrepreneurs
With an investment starting at approximately $120,000 USD, the DT3 visa offers the best value:
- Work permit exemption: DT1, DT2 and DT3 holders don't need a work permit (unlike DT4)
- 3-year visa, renewable, with TRC possible up to 5 years
- Multiple entries without restriction
- Sponsor family members: spouse and children under 18
- Easier access to bank accounts and long-term leases
Important: even with the work permit exemption, you must obtain an exemption certificate from DOLISA (Department of Labor). Invested funds must be transferred through official banking channels and match the capital declared during company registration.
The Business Visa (DN): explore before committing
The DN visa comes in two categories:
- DN1: for working with Vietnamese businesses that have legal entity status
- DN2: for offering services or establishing a commercial presence
Available for 1, 3, 6, or 12-month durations, it requires a Vietnamese sponsor (a local company with a business license). Cost ranges from $25 to $155 USD depending on duration.
Advantages and limitations
The DN visa is ideal for exploratory phases: business meetings, contract signing, market research. However, it does not allow you to manage or operate a business. It's a stepping stone to the investor visa, not a long-term solution.
Watch out: extensions are limited to single entry, even if the original visa was multiple-entry. And the Vietnamese sponsor requirement creates a chicken-and-egg problem for newcomers.
The E-visa: the simplest entry point
Since 2023, the e-visa is open to all nationalities, with an extended duration of 90 days (up from 30). Apply online at evisa.gov.vn.
- Cost: $25 USD (single entry) or $50 USD (multiple entry)
- Processing: 3-5 business days
- No sponsor required
This is the perfect visa for a first scouting trip. 90 days is enough to assess the market, meet potential partners, and even begin the company registration process. However, it grants no work rights or long-term residency.
The Golden Visa and Talent Visa: what's new in 2025
Vietnam launched a Golden Visa program in 2025 to attract foreign talent and investors. So far, only the Talent Visa component is operational (since August 2025):
- Duration: 5 years, with stays of up to 90 days per entry
- Cost: approximately $50 USD
- Work permit exemption
Who qualifies?
The criteria are selective: executives from top global companies, STEM experts with doctoral degrees, recognized scientists, AI and semiconductor professionals, or content creators with over one million followers. For a typical entrepreneur, this visa remains hard to access, but the program is expected to expand in the coming years.
Work permits: what you need to know
Decree 219/2025 (effective August 2025) has significantly simplified the process:
- Unified application: hiring approval and permit request combined
- Reduced experience: a degree + 2 years of experience is sufficient (down from 3), or just 1 year in priority sectors
- Faster processing: 10 business days, about 3 weeks total
- Validity: up to 2 years, renewable once for 2 more years
Who needs one? DT4 visa holders (investment under VND 3 billion) and anyone without an exemption. DT1-DT3 investors are exempt.
Setting up your business in Vietnam: available structures
The 100% foreign-owned LLC: the preferred choice
Vietnam allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors (IT, manufacturing, trading, education). Key steps:
- Obtain the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) — 4-6 weeks
- Obtain the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
- Open a bank account and transfer charter capital
- Register for tax, seal, and invoices
March 2026 update: the Amended Investment Law now allows you to obtain the ERC before the IRC, significantly streamlining the process. Additionally, 38 conditional business lines have been removed.
Budget: expect $1,000-$8,500 USD in setup fees, plus charter capital. There's no universal legal minimum, but plan for at least $10,000 USD for a service company, and $120,000 USD for work permit exemption (DT3 threshold).
Representative office: test without committing
Set up in 4-8 weeks at lower cost, but with a major limitation: no revenue generation allowed. Useful only for market research and liaison with the parent company.
Restricted sectors
25 sectors are completely closed to foreign investors. 58 others have conditions (ownership caps, joint-venture requirements). Examples: banking (30-49%), telecoms (49-65%). Always check the specific regulations for your industry.
Taxation: the essentials
- Corporate Income Tax (CIT): standard rate of 20%
- Priority sectors (AI, semiconductors, renewables, R&D, software): 10% for up to 15 years
- Innovative startups: 2-year CIT exemption + 4 years at 50% reduction
- Personal Income Tax: progressive 5-35% for tax residents (183+ days/year)
- Non-residents: flat 20% on Vietnam-sourced income
The 183-day trap: if you spend more than 183 days in Vietnam per year, you become a tax resident and are liable for tax on your worldwide income. A crucial point for your planning.
Vietnam vs Thailand vs Cambodia: the entrepreneur comparison
How does Vietnam stack up against its neighbors for entrepreneurs?
- Market size: Vietnam (100M people) far outweighs Thailand (70M) and Cambodia (17M)
- Foreign ownership: Vietnam and Cambodia allow 100% foreign ownership in most sectors; Thailand often caps at 49%
- Entrepreneur visa: Thailand offers the DTV (5 years, ~$270) and LTR, which are more accessible. Cambodia has the simplest process
- Digital nomad visa: only Thailand offers a dedicated one (DTV). Vietnam doesn't have one yet
- Setup speed: Cambodia (2-4 weeks) > Thailand (4-8 weeks) > Vietnam (2-4 months)
- Growth: Vietnam has the most dynamic trajectory, targeting a $75 billion digital economy by 2030
Practical tips to get started
- Start with a 90-day e-visa for your first scouting trip, no strings attached
- Hire a reputable local law firm (budget $1,500-$5,000 USD) — don't go it alone
- Aim for DT3 if you have ~$120,000 to invest: it's the best trade-off between cost and benefits
- Avoid nominee arrangements: they're illegal and risky in Vietnam
- Allow 2-4 months for full company registration
- Have a Vietnamese-speaking team member: the language barrier remains a major challenge for daily operations
- Focus your digital marketing on Facebook and TikTok rather than Google and Instagram (local market specificity)
- Join expat entrepreneur communities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for firsthand experience
Vietnam is betting on attractiveness
The Vietnamese government is sending clear signals of openness: simplified work permits (Decree 219/2025), amended Investment Law (March 2026), Golden Visa program launch, and 234 strategic projects worth $129 billion. The startup ecosystem is booming with over 5,500 startups and 6 unicorns.
While bureaucracy remains heavier than in neighboring countries, Vietnam compensates with the size of its market, its young and skilled workforce, and some of the lowest operational costs in the region. For entrepreneurs willing to invest time in administrative processes, the opportunities are substantial.