Regional minimum wage proposed to increase by 7.8% from January 1, 2027

 

VGP - The National Wage Council has put foward a proposal to the Government to raise the regional minimum wage by 7.8 percent, applicable from January 1, 2027.

Under the proposal, the monthly regional minimum wage will increase by VND 310,000–390,000 (US$11.8-14.8), equivalent to an average rise of 7.8 percent.

Specifically:

Region I: The monthly minimum wage will increase from current VND 5,310,000 (US$201.5) to VND 5,700,000 (US$216.3), up VND 390,000, or 7.3 percent.

Region II: The minimum wage will rise by VND 350,000, or 7.4 percent, from VND 4,730,000 (US$180) to VND 5,080,000 (US$192.8).

Region III: The minimum wage will increase from VND 4,140,000 (US$157) to VND 4,450,000 (US$170), an absolute increase of VND 310,000, or 7.5 percent.

Region IV: Notably, this region will see the largest percentage increase, at 9.2 percent, with the monthly minimum wage rising from VND 3,700,000 (US$141) to VND 4,040,000 (US$154), an increase of VND 340,000.

The minimum wage means the lowest amount an employer is legally required to pay workers for simple jobs under normal working conditions, targeting to ensure that workers can meet their most basic needs.

Based on these minimum rates, employers can negotiate with their employees over actual monthly salaries.

As of July 1, 2025, Viet Nam's regional minimum wage has been applied in 34 provinces and centrally run cities following the merger of localities.

Viet Nam's monthly minimum wages vary across four different regions, each based on the living standards in those areas. The new organization of local administrative units has significantly changed how regions are categorized, such as:

Region I encompasses the most economically developed and urbanized areas of Viet Nam, including its key industrial and business hubs, such as Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Da Nang.

Region II covers areas with substantial industrial and economic development, albeit at a lower intensity than Region I. Most areas of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Can Tho belong to this region.

Region III comprises areas with moderate economic development, this region features emerging industrial and agricultural areas, some of which belong to Hai Duong, Khanh Hoa, and Long An.

Region IV encompasses the least economically developed areas, often characterized as rural or less industrialized, with a primary focus on agriculture and small-scale industries./.

Nguồn: Chính phủ

Viet Nam to offer 45-day visa-free entry for citizens from 12 countries to promote inbound tourism

 

VGP - The Government has announced that it will offer 45-day visa-free entry for citizens from 12 countries, applicable from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028.

The beneficial countries are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

Last week, the Government expanded visa exemption policy to cover State guests, scholars, experts, scientists, professors from foreign universities and academies, leaders of business giants in the world, celebrities, renowned artists and athletes, and honorary consuls.

In January this year, the Government had decided to waive visas for tourists from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland until December 31, 2025. 

Two months later, the Government waived visas for tourists from 12 countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028. 

All the above moves aim to boost inbound tourism, thus helping the Southeast Asian nation to achieve the GDP growth goal of at least 8 percent in 2025.

From January to July, the country welcomed 12.2 million foreign visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of 22.5 percent. With this pace, Viet Nam is set to hit its ambitious goal of handling 25 million international arrivals this year./.

Nguồn: Báo chính phủ

Understanding Viet Nam's e-visa

 

VGP - Viet Nam has issued e-visa to citizens of all countries and territories around the world and increased the validity duration to up to 90 days.

Below is useful information that foreigners should know before applying for e-visa to reach Viet Nam:

General information

Electronic visa or e-visa is issued to foreigners with valid passports.

E-visa application fee is paid through the e-visa portal's e-payment gateway and is non-refundable in case the visa is not granted.

E-visa fee: US$25 for a single-entry visa; US$50 for a multiple-entry visa.

Designated international border gates for entry and exit with e-visa

Foreigners with e-visas must enter and exit Viet Nam through the following international border gates designated by the Government.

List of land border gates

1. Bo Y international border gate, Kon Tum province.

2. Cha Lo international border gate, Quang Binh province.

3. Cau Treo international border gate, Ha Tinh province.

4. Huu Nghi international border gate, Lang Son province.

5. Ha Tien international border gate, Kien Giang province.

6. Lao Bao international border gate, Quang Tri province.

7. Lao Cai international border gate, Lao Cai province.

8. La Lay international border gate, Quang Tri province.

9. Moc Bai international border gate, Tay Ninh province.

10. Mong Cai international border gate, Quang Ninh province.

11. Nam Can international border gate, Nghe An province.

12. Na Meo international border gate, Thanh Hoa province.

13. Vinh Xuong international land and river border gate, An Giang province.

14. Tinh Bien international border gate, An Giang province.

15. Tay Trang international border gate, Dien Bien province.

16. Xa Mat international border gate, Tay Ninh province.

List of air border gates

1. Cat Bi Airport Border Gate.

2. Cam Ranh Airport Border Gate.

3. Can Tho Airport Border Gate.

4. Da Nang Airport Border Gate.

5. Noi Bai Airport Border Gate.

6. Phu Quoc Airport Border Gate.

7. Phu Bai Airport Border Gate.

8. Tan Son Nhat Airport Border Gate.

9. Van Don Airport Border Gate.

10. Tho Xuan Airport Border Gate.

11. Dong Hoi Airport Border Gate.

12. Phu Cat Airport Border Gate.

13. Lien Khuong Airport Border Gate.

List of sea border gates

1. Chan May Port Border Gate, Thua Thien Hue Province.

2. Cam Pha Port Border Gate, Quang Ninh Province.

3. Da Nang Port Border Gate, Da Nang City.

4. Duong Dong Port Border Gate, Kien Giang Province.

5. Dung Quat Port Border Gate, Quang Ngai Province.

6. Hon Gai Port Border Gate, Quang Ninh Province.

7. Hai Phong Port Border Gate, Hai Phong City.

8. Nghi Son Port Border Gate, Thanh Hoa Province.

9. Nha Trang Port Border Gate, Khanh Hoa Province.

10. Quy Nhon port border gate, Binh Dinh province.

11. Ho Chi Minh City Port Border Gate, Ho Chi Minh City.

12. Vung Ang Port Border Gate, Ha Tinh Province.

13. Vung Tau Port Border Gate, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province.

Visa exemption

Foreigners who are citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Viet Nam when entering Viet Nam will be granted a 45-day temporary residence certificate.

Foreigners exempted from visas under international treaties to which Viet Nam is a party will be granted a temporary stay period according to the provisions of the international treaty.

If the international treaty does not specify the temporary stay period, a 30-day temporary residence period will be granted./.

Nguồn: Báo chính phủ

More choices for foreigners with e-visa to enter and exit Viet Nam

 

VGP - The Government has supplemented 41 border gates to the list of ports that allow foreigners to enter and exist Viet Nam by e-visa, bringing the total ports to 83, according to the Government Resolution N0. 389/NQ-CP dated December 2, 2025.

Accordingly, additional ports for e-via include:

I. List of air border gates:

1. Long Thanh International Airport (once coming into operation)

2. Gia Binh International Airport (once coming into operation)

3. Vinh International Airport

4. Chu Lai International Airport

II. List of land border gates

1. Dong Dang border gate (railway) in Lang Son province;

2. Lao Cai border gate (railway) in Lao Cai province;

3. Tra Linh border gate in Cao Bang province;

4. Long Sap border gate in Son La province;

5. Nam Giang border gate in Da Nang City;

6. Le Thanh border gate in Gia Lai province;

7. Binh Hiep border gate in Tay Ninh province;

8. Thuong Phuoc land and waterway border gate in Dong Thap province;

9. Dinh Ba international border gate in Dong Thap province;

10. Tan Nam international border gate in Tay Ninh province;

11. Thanh Thuy international border gate in Tuyen Quang province;

III. List of sea border gates

1. Van Gia Seaport in Quang Ninh province;

2. Diem Dien Seaport in Hung Yen province;

3. Hai Thinh Seaport in Ninh Binh province;

4. Ninh Binh Seaport in Ninh Binh province;

5. Cua Lo-Ben Thuy Seaport in Nghe An province;

6. Son Duong Seaport in Ha Tinh province;

7. Giang Seaport in Quang Tri province;

8. Hon La Seaport in Quang Tri province;

9. Cuu Viet Seaport in Quang Tri province;

10. Thuan An Seaport in Hue City;

11. Ky Ha Seaport in Da Nang City;

12. Sa ky Seaport in Quang Ngai province;

13. Vung Ro Seaport in Dak Lak province;

14. Ca Na Seaport in Khanh Hoa province;

15. Ninh Chu Seaport in Khanh Hoa province;

16. Phu Quy Seaport in Lam Dong province;

17. Lien Huong Seaport in Lam Dong province;

18. Ben Luc Seaport in Tay Ninh province;

19. Dong Thap Seaport in Dong Thap province;

20. Soai Rap – Hiep Phuoc Seaport in Dong Thap province;

21. My Thoi Seaport in An Giang province;

22. Hon Chong Seaport in An Giang province;

23. An Thoi Seaport in An Giang province;

24. Truong Long Hoa Seaport in Vinh Long province;

25. Giao Long Seaport in Vinh Long province;

26. Nam Can Seaport in Ca Mau province.

Once being granted an e-visa, a foreigner can enter and exit Viet Nam on multiple occasions within 90 days.  These changes have made it easier for international tourists to visit Viet Nam and have enhanced the country's tourism attractiveness.

In addition, a specific visa exemption policy is applied to Phu Quoc Island off the coast of An Giang province in the Mekong Delta, allowing foreign tourists to stay for up to 30 days without a visa, provided they remain on the island throughout their stay.

Nguồn: Báo chính phủ

List of imported goods subject to customs clearance at import border gates

 

VGP – The Government has promulgated a list of imported goods subject to customs clearance at import border gates.

These imported goods include:

- Cigarettes, cigars, and other preparations from tobacco plant intended for smoking, inhailing, chewing, sniffing, and sucking;

- Wine

- Beer made from malt;

- Passenger cars with fewer than 16 seats;

- Aircraft and yachts;

- Petroleum of all types

- Air conditioners with a capacity of 90,000 BTU or less

- Playing cards;

- Joss paper;

- Explosive precursors and industrial exposives under the list promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade;

- Imported goods under the list of goods affecting national defense and security promulgated by the Government;

- Goods imported from countries and territories with disease outbreak warnings according to notifications of the Ministry of Agricuture and Environment.

What are import border gates?

Import border gates shall include

- Seaports and airports where the import cargo are unloaded

- International rail junction stations

- International land border gates, main land border gates

- Phuoc Long ICD Port in Ho Chi Minh City

Nguồn: Báo chính phủ

Health declaration not mandatory for all int'l travelers from July 1

 

VGP - The health declaration requirement under Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP, dated May 15, 2026 will not be applied on a mandatory and routine basis to all persons entering, exiting, or transiting through Viet Nam from July 1, 2026, said a representative from the Ministry of Health.

The Decree was promulgated by the Government to guide the implementation of several articles of the Law on Disease Prevention adopted by the National Assembly in 2025.

In the event of an infectious disease, the Minister of Health shall issue instructions on subjects and time for health declaration at border gates for each infectious disease depending on the disease situation and the risk of disease transmission into Viet Nam, said Vo Hai Son, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health also clarified that it no longer uses the website https://tokhaiyte.vn for health declarations by persons entering, exiting, or transiting through Viet Nam.

The Ministry is currently developing a new health declaration system. When health declarations are required, it will officially announce the system and activate it for public use.

Nguồn: Báo chính phủ

New Visa Exemption Policies effective from 15 August 2025

The Vietnamese Government has just issued Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP dated 11 August 2025, introducing a visa exemption programme under the Tourism Development Stimulus Scheme for citizens of 12 countries.

Under the resolution, citizens of the following countries will be eligible for visa-free entry: the Kingdom of Belgium, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Swiss Confederation.

Visitors from these countries may stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days from the date of entry for tourism purpose, regardless of passport type, provided they meet all entry conditions stipulated by Vietnamese law.

This visa-free policy will be in effect from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028, as part of Vietnam’s initiative to stimulate tourism growth.

As a result, Government Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated 15 January 2025, which granted visa exemptions in 2025 to citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland will cease to be effective from 15 August 2025.

Special Visa Waiver for Priority Foreign Visitors

The Government has also promulgated Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP dated 8 August 2025, providing visa exemption for foreign nationals in special categories that are prioritized for Vietnam’s socio-economic development, effective from 15 August 2025.

According to the Decree, the following groups are eligible:

a) Official guests of top Vietnamese leaders, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State President, the National Assembly Chair, the Prime Minister, the Standing Member of the Party Secretariat, the Vice President, the Vice Chair of the National Assembly, the Deputy Prime Minister, the President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the State Auditor General, Ministers and equivalent positions, Provincial/City Party Secretaries, and Chairpersons of People’s Councils and People’s Committees;

b) Academics, experts, scientists, and professors from universities and research institutes; chief architects; and highly skilled professionals in the digital technology industry;

c) Investors, corporate leaders, and executives of major global enterprises;

d) Figures in culture, arts, sports, and tourism who have a positive public influence;

đ) Vietnam’s honorary consuls abroad;

e) Invited guests of recognized research institutes, universities, and large enterprises, as approved by competent ministries and government agencies;

g) Other special cases requiring visa privileges for diplomatic or socio-economic development purposes, as decided by the Minister of Public Security upon recommendation from relevant agencies or organizations.

Eligible individuals will receive a special visa exemption card allowing multiple entries into Vietnam within the validity period. The exemption period will not exceed five years and must be at least 30 days shorter than the passport’s remaining validity.

Tourism Information Technology Center