Can I work remotely or volunteer on a tourist e-visa in Vietnam?

The e-visa is a tourist-style entry permit, and it does not give you the right to take a job in Vietnam. Paid work for a Vietnamese employer or business needs the proper visa and, in most cases, a work permit.

Remote work for a foreign employer while you travel sits in a gray area. Vietnam has no digital nomad visa, and tourist entry does not authorize work. The Immigration Department decides each case, so ask them if you need certainty.

Volunteering is treated differently by purpose. Short unpaid volunteering is common, but an organization may need to invite you or sponsor a different visa. Ask the organization what visa it recommends.

For a stay of several months, you may need a business, work or long-stay visa instead of an e-visa. Read about the Vietnam visa types and our visa exemption guide, and check xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn before you decide.