Wan Xin NgThere’s a rhythm to life in Vietnam that doesn’t quite translate until you’re in it. Mornings are slow, with the scent of strong coffee and steaming pho hanging in the air. Afternoons might bring the rustle of palm leaves along the Mekong, or the electric whir of scooters weaving through streets. In quieter moments, life unfolds in small rituals. Picking up fresh herbs from the wet market, sipping tea by a sun-dappled window, watching the rain slide off tiled roofs. Life in Vietnam happens in between the hustle. If that way of living speaks to you, you might be excited to hear what Vietnam has just introduced.
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As of 2025, Vietnam has officially joined the golden visa club. In a bid to attract long-term tourists, global talent, and foreign investors, the country is rolling out a new set of long-term visa options, including a Golden Visa that allows foreigners to stay in the country for up to ten years. It’s a bold move aimed at boosting tourism and bringing in what the government calls “high-quality human capital.”
Here’s what we know so far.
Also read: 20 Reasons Why People Don’t Want to Travel to Vietnam; They’re Wrong
Rolling out across the country (and online)
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To kick things off, the Vietnamese government is piloting the program in four hotspots: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc. These locations were chosen not just for their popularity with foreigners, but for their infrastructure and potential to support long-term living.
Even better? The entire application process is expected to be fully digital. No embassy queues, no mountains of paperwork — just a streamlined online system designed to make long-term stays more accessible. Full eligibility details haven’t been released yet, but early signs point to a system that’s modern, flexible, and foreigner-friendly.
What are the types of visas offered?
Vietnam’s new initiative includes three types of long-term visas, each catering to a different kind of foreign applicant.
First up is the Golden Visa, which is valid for five to ten years and comes with the option of a one- to two-year extension. This is designed for long-term residents — think remote workers, retirees, or anyone who wants to make Vietnam their home base without necessarily investing or working locally.
The second is the Investor Visa, which lasts for ten years and offers a clear path to permanent residency. If you’ve been thinking about setting up shop in Southeast Asia, this could be your entry point. After five years of living in Vietnam on this visa, applicants can apply for PR.
Lastly, there’s the Talent Visa, aimed at skilled professionals in fields like technology, education, and the arts. It’s valid for five years but is known for having a simple and smooth renewal process, which makes it ideal for those who may want to stick around long-term without hassle.
Why now?
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It’s not just about lifestyle, but it’s also about numbers. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Vietnam welcomed 7.67 million international visitors, a nearly 24% increase from the same period in 2024. With the tourism sector booming, this visa program is a strategic way to keep the momentum going. The idea is to attract holidaymakers, then inviting them to stay longer and contribute more deeply to the local economy.
What’s it like living in Vietnam?
Living in Vietnam isn’t just about low costs or postcard views. It’s also about learning how to move with the grain of a place that’s rich with rhythm, history, and heart.
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You might find yourself on a quiet morning walk, passing a group of aunties stretching by the lake, or sipping coffee so strong it borders on philosophy. In the afternoons, the scent of grilled meat drifts through alleyways, and at night, the cities come alive with lights, motorbikes, and stories told over shared meals.
It’s easy to romanticise life here. After all, Vietnam is a charming country with much to love: the food, the warmth, the way things slow down just enough for you to notice them. But living somewhere also means showing up with curiosity and care. Vietnam isn’t a backdrop for your next adventure. Rather, it’s a country with its own pulse, its own pace, and people who’ve shaped its streets long before you arrived.
Learning the language, even just a little, can go a long way. So can listening to the culture, the customs and the context.
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It’s not always smooth sailing. The traffic might test your nerves, and the humidity doesn’t care about your outfit plans. But for those willing to ease into its rhythm, Vietnam tends to give more than it takes.
Also read: Best Local Things To Do In Vietnam Throughout The Seasons
Should you apply?
Choosing to move to another country isn’t something to take lightly — especially when it could mean spending five or even ten years of your life somewhere new. It’s more than a change of scenery. It’s a full shift in how you live, what you notice, and how you relate to the world around you.
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Vietnam’s new golden visa does open a door. But it’s not just an invitation to arrive, benefit, and leave unchanged. The richness of a place comes not only from what it offers, but from how we choose to participate in it.
For those ready to stay not just physically, but with presence and care, this visa represents a meaningful opportunity. Though the program is still in its early days, the digital rollout and pilot launches suggest that Vietnam is serious about long-term connection instead of just short-term tourism.
And maybe that’s the point. Staying somewhere isn’t only about being allowed in, but also about what you bring with you, and what you’re willing to give in return.
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