As a foreigner living in Vietnam, you must know that life in Vietnam is very different from life in many other popular regions due to its different political structures, geographical locations, economic structures, social norms, and quality of life.‎

‎What many people don't realize is that even the laws may be very different from other countries in the world. Sometimes, these regulations might be too strict for foreigners, and Vietnamese people tend to ignore them. However, you should know what is acceptable and what is not, to avoid yourself being behind bars.‎

‎Foreigners who want to move to Vietnam or currently live there, take a look at the following laws to enjoy your stay in Vietnam and not to put yourself at any risk.‎

Drugs

The Vietnamese government has reinforced the penalties for drugs possession and usage over the years. Thus, do not ever think about getting or using drugs in Vietnam - the severe punishment for people who possess heroin is the death penalty. Drug traffickers will also receive long prison sentences. Once again, illegal drugs are a big problem in Vietnam.

Work permit

Although setting up a company in Vietnam is not all that difficult, the bureaucracy is obvious. You will need permits for almost everything related to business activities; and for foreigners, working or starting a business without a work permit is illegal.

Foreign citizens working without permits will be deported immediately; and for their employers, the fine can be up to VND75 million with the possibility of their operations being suspended for 1 to 3 months.

It’s illegal for foreigners to work or set up a business without a work permit

Prostitution

Despite prostitution establishments with mainly underage workers exist in Vietnam, it is illegal, and all prostitution activities will be criminalized under the Law of Vietnam.

The Vietnamese government and polices are currently conducting raids and trying to crack down on all prostitution trafficking and activities. The penalty can be severe if you are found to be part of it.

Visa

Visa requirements can be complex issues. Make sure you know them, apply and hold an accurate visa, and follow up with the immigration officials with the most up-to-date information. More often than not, the visa application, especially for your stay and residence in Vietnam, involves a lot of administrative formalities, extensive paperwork, and lengthy delays.

However, don’t be discouraged. Apply in advance, consult with the visa agent in Vietnam, and be patient. In any case, make sure that you don’t violate the visa conditions when working without a work permit or staying with an overdue tourist visa.

Foreigners must obtain a visa from one of the Vietnamese diplomatic missions

Nudity

Don’t be surprised that with so many beaches, there are absolutely no nude beaches in Vietnam. In general, locals are tolerant of foreigners with revealing clothes in tourist areas, but Vietnamese culture is still relatively conservative.

Do not even think about being naked anywhere but your own bedroom. So be aware and especially be careful to avoid anything that might be considered offensive and get you into trouble.

Buy a property, not land

As a foreigner living in Vietnam, you may purchase properties or houses in the country. However, if you’ve ever thought of buying land and building your dream house on it, it is almost impossible. According to the Law of Vietnam, lands are assets owned by the country, so you can only buy the construction built on land, not the land itself.

In other words, the house belongs to you, but the land that the house is on does not. As the owner of a property, you can enjoy the rights of land use for up to 50 years in the form of land leases. The leases can be renewed without the rent increases. The property is yours indefinitely as long as you lease the land.

As long as you lease the land, you own the property indefinitely

The capital required to start a business

Apart from the start-up capital, in order to get a license and start a business in Vietnam, there are no other financial requirements. However, it is highly recommended that you should have at least $25,000 USD in your bank.

Startup capital is the money required for launching a new business

Register yourself with the authority

As a foreigner, once you have moved to a residence, you need to register yourself with the local police. If you are a foreign tourist, your hotel, or your accommodation will do this on your behalf. The reason for self-registration is the police know that you live there, and you will be responsible if you break the rules.

Export antiques

The fact that in Vietnam, you can't bring any antique home is not new. All cultural antiques and artifacts will need to be approved by the Ministry of Culture before they can be exported. If you’re in love with an antique that you've ever seen in Vietnam and you want to bring it home, it's illegal to export it from Vietnam without a license.‎

Endangered species trade

‎Vietnam is a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The government is doing its best to stop the illegal trade and prevent it from threatening the biological heritage of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. As a result, you will face long and painful prison sentences if you are convicted of hunting or trafficking endangered or protected species.‎

Conclusion

It’s not always easy for a foreigner to live in Vietnam. However, if you know the laws and are willing to abide by them without failure, Vietnam can definitely be an ideal place to live and work.‎

Tags: foreigners in Vietnam, Vietnam rules, Vietnam laws to know, the Laws of Vietnam, Vietnam regulations, self-registration, the rights of land use, Vietnam regulations