Working in Vietnam for a French Company in 2026

Do you work for a French company and are thinking about moving to Vietnam? Whether through remote work, a secondment or a local contract, this setup is appealing to more and more professionals drawn by Vietnam's quality of life and low cost of living.

In 2026, working in Vietnam for a French company has never been more accessible, thanks to the digitalization of work and improved internet infrastructure. Yet this situation raises crucial questions: which status should you choose? Which visa should you get? How do you handle taxes? What are your employer's legal obligations?

This complete guide walks you through all the practical arrangements, the traps to avoid and the best strategies for a successful professional move to Vietnam while keeping your French job.

01The Three Ways to Work in Vietnam for a French Company

When you want to work in Vietnam for a French company, you have three main options. Each has specific advantages and constraints in terms of visas, taxes and social protection.

International Remote Work

Working remotely from Vietnam for your French employer is the most flexible option. You keep your French employment contract, your salary is paid in France, and you simply work from Vietnam.

Pros:

• You keep all your French social rights (social security, retirement, unemployment)
• No change to your employment contract
• Salary paid in euros into your French account
• Administrative simplicity for the employer

Cons:

• Unclear legal status in Vietnam (no specific work visa)
• Tax risk if you spend more than 183 days in Vietnam
• Time difference with France (5 hours in summer, 6 in winter)
• A reliable internet connection is essential

Tip: Many digital nomads use a tourist visa or a renewable business visa. Officially, you're not "working" in Vietnam, since your economic activity remains in France. This gray area is tolerated but may change.

Secondment (Official Expatriation)

A secondment is an official status in which your French company sends you to work temporarily in Vietnam, usually at a subsidiary or for a specific assignment. It's the most legally secure option.

Pros:

• 100% legal status with a Vietnamese work permit
• You stay in the French social security system (via form A1)
• An often generous expat package (housing, schooling, bonus)
• Official recognition of your presence in Vietnam

Cons:

• Heavy administrative procedures for the employer
• High cost for the company (about 30-40% of salary in social charges)
• Limited duration (usually 2-3 years)
• Requires the company to have a legal entity in Vietnam

Costs for the employer: Getting a work permit costs between 3,000,000 and 5,000,000 VND (€110-185), plus legal fees (€1,500-3,000) and social charges.

A Local Vietnamese Contract

Your French company has a subsidiary in Vietnam and offers you a Vietnamese employment contract. You legally become an employee of a Vietnamese company.

Pros:

• 100% legal status with a work permit
• Full integration into the local ecosystem
• Salary often adjusted to the Vietnamese cost of living
• Opportunities for advancement within the local entity

Cons:

• Loss of French social rights (unless there's a bilateral agreement)
• Salary generally below French standards
• Less generous Vietnamese social protection
• A break in your French career path

Tip: Negotiate private international health insurance as part of your package. Health insurance for expats is essential on a local contract.

02Visas and Work Permits: The Legal Options in 2026

The visa question is central when you want to work in Vietnam for a French company. The Vietnamese authorities have relaxed some rules, but the regulations remain strict.

The Tourist Visa (90 Days)

The Vietnam e-visa lets you stay in Vietnam for 90 days. Technically, it doesn't authorize you to work, but many digital nomads use it for remote work.

Price: 25 USD (about €23) for 90 days Renewal: Possible by leaving the country (visa run) Risk: Tolerated but not legal if you generate local income

The Business Visa

The DN (business) visa allows stays of 1 to 12 months and authorizes limited professional activities.

Price: 50-300 USD depending on length (€45-275) Pros: Multiple entries, renewable in the country Limits: Doesn't replace a work permit for salaried employment

The Work Permit

To work legally in Vietnam on a local contract or a secondment, a work permit is mandatory.

Requirements:

• A university degree (at least a bachelor's) or 3 years of professional experience
• A clean criminal record
• A Vietnamese medical certificate
• An employment contract with a registered Vietnamese company
• Proof that the position can't be filled by a Vietnamese national

Processing time: 4-8 weeks on average Validity: 2 years maximum, renewable

Documents required:

• Diplomas, apostilled and translated into Vietnamese
• A detailed resume
• ID photos (4x6 cm, white background)
• A passport valid for at least 6 months
• A letter from the employer

Tip: Use a specialist agent for your work permit. Rejections due to administrative errors are common. Expect €500-800 for full support.

The Temporary Residence Card (TRC)

Once you have your work permit, you receive a temporary residence card (TRC), which serves as a long-stay visa.

Duration: Matches your work permit (up to 2 years) Pros: Unlimited entries and exits, no visa runs needed Price: Included in the work permit fees

03Taxes: Where Do You Pay When You Work in Vietnam?

Taxes are probably the most complex aspect of working in Vietnam for a French company. The 183-day rule is decisive.

The 183-Day Rule

Under the 1993 France-Vietnam tax treaty, you become a Vietnamese tax resident if:

• You spend more than 183 days in Vietnam in a calendar year, OR
• You have a permanent home in Vietnam and your "center of vital interests" is there

Consequence: As a Vietnamese tax resident, you must declare and pay tax in Vietnam on your worldwide income.

Taxation in Vietnam: Progressive Brackets

Vietnam applies progressive income tax brackets:

Possible deductions:

• 11,000,000 VND/month (€405) for yourself
• 4,400,000 VND/month (€160) per dependent
• Social contributions (10.5% of gross salary)
• Mandatory health insurance

A concrete example: On a salary of €3,000/month (81,000,000 VND), after deductions, your Vietnamese tax will be about €450-550/month.

Avoiding Double Taxation

The tax treaty between France and Vietnam provides mechanisms to avoid paying tax twice.

Tax credit method: If you pay tax in Vietnam, you can deduct that amount from your French taxes (if you remain a French tax resident).

Exemption method: If you're a Vietnamese tax resident, your Vietnamese-source income is exempt in France.

Tip: See an accountant who specializes in international taxation before you leave. A wrong choice can cost you several thousand euros.

A Special Case: Informal Remote Work

If you work remotely for your French company without a Vietnamese work permit, you're theoretically a French tax resident (if you keep your tax home in France).

In practice:

• Your employer keeps withholding tax at source in France
• You declare your income in France
• Vietnam has no knowledge of your income

Risk: If the Vietnamese authorities find out that you're earning income without a work permit, you risk a fine and deportation. This risk remains low for pure remote work (no Vietnamese clients).

04Social Protection and Health Insurance: Don't Overlook Them

Social protection is a crucial and often underestimated factor when you work in Vietnam for a French company.

Remote Work: Keeping French Social Security

If you officially remain a French resident and your employer pays contributions in France, you keep your French social security coverage.

Coverage: Sickness, maternity, workplace accidents, retirement, unemployment Reimbursements: Through the CPAM (French health insurance fund) with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but be careful, it only works in Europe!

Tip: The EHIC does NOT cover Vietnam. You'll have to pay medical costs up front and claim reimbursement when you're back in France (based on French rates, which are often lower than the real costs).

Secondment: Form A1

Form A1 (formerly E101) lets you stay enrolled in French social security during your secondment.

Duration: 24 months maximum (extendable up to 6 years in some cases) Pros: You keep all your French social rights Cost: Your employer keeps paying contributions in France (about 45% of gross salary)

Local Contract: The Vietnamese System

On a local contract, you pay into the Vietnamese social security system.

Mandatory contributions:

• Health insurance: 3% (employee) + 3% (employer)
• Social insurance: 8% (employee) + 17.5% (employer)
• Unemployment insurance: 1% (employee) + 1% (employer)
• Workplace accident insurance: 0.5% (employer)

Coverage: Vietnamese public hospitals only, of variable quality

Tip: On a local contract, you absolutely must take out international health insurance. Expect €100-300/month depending on your age and coverage. Quality international hospitals (Vinmec, Family Medical Practice) aren't covered by the public system.

Recommended Insurance

Whatever your status, three types of insurance are essential:

1. International health insurance: April International, Allianz Care, Cigna Global (€150-400/month)
2. Repatriation insurance: Often included with your premium bank card or travel insurance
3. Liability insurance: Check that it covers your activities in Vietnam

05Practical Matters: Daily Life and Organizing Your Work

Beyond the paperwork, working in Vietnam for a French company means adapting how you organize your day.

Internet and Infrastructure

Vietnam has excellent internet infrastructure, particularly in Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Average speed: 50-100 Mbps on FTTH (fiber) Price: 200,000-400,000 VND/month (€7-15) for a residential connection Reliability: Excellent in big cities, with rare outages

Recommended providers:

• VNPT: The most reliable, nationwide coverage
• Viettel: A serious competitor, slightly cheaper
• FPT: Good value for money, popular with expats

4G/5G mobile: Unlimited plans from 150,000 VND/month (€5.50). 4G covers 95% of the country.

Tip: Test your connection with a 4G mobile plan for your first few days before signing up for fiber. Some buildings have outdated infrastructure. See our guide to internet in Vietnam for more details.

Coworking Spaces and Cafes

If you don't want to work only from home, Vietnam has excellent options.

Coworking in Da Nang:

• Enouvo Space: 3,000,000 VND/month (€110), excellent expat network
• Nest by AIA: 2,500,000 VND/month (€92), sea view
• The Hive: 2,800,000 VND/month (€103), startup vibe

Coworking in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Dreamplex: 4,500,000 VND/month (€165), the most premium
• Toong: 3,500,000 VND/month (€130), several locations
• CirCO: 3,800,000 VND/month (€140), active community

Check out our selection of the best cafes to work from in Da Nang, with Wi-Fi, outlets and a studious atmosphere.

Managing the Time Difference with France

The time difference between France and Vietnam is +5 hours in summer and +6 hours in winter.

Best hours:

• Vietnamese morning (7 a.m.-noon) = French night/early morning → Independent work
• Vietnamese afternoon (2-6 p.m.) = French morning (8 a.m.-noon) → Meetings possible
• Vietnamese evening (7-10 p.m.) = French afternoon (1-4 p.m.) → Follow-up meetings

Tip: Negotiate shifted hours with your employer (e.g., 2-10 p.m. Vietnam time) to maximize overlap with France. Set 2-3 fixed weekly slots for team meetings.

Opening a Bank Account

To receive a Vietnamese salary or manage your local spending, opening a local bank account is strongly recommended.

Banks popular with expats:

• Vietcombank: The most international, service in English
• HSBC Vietnam: For high salaries (minimum 50,000,000 VND/month)
• Techcombank: Excellent mobile app, popular

Documents required:

• Passport + valid visa (at least 3 months)
• Work permit or TRC (for some banks)
• Proof of address (lease)
• A Vietnamese phone number

Costs: Free to open, account fees of 0-50,000 VND/month (€0-2)

See our detailed guide to opening a bank account in Vietnam for every step.

A Realistic Monthly Budget

Working in Vietnam for a French company generally lets you keep an excellent standard of living on a reasonable budget.

Comfortable budget in Da Nang (single person):

• Housing (modern studio/one-bedroom): 8,000,000-15,000,000 VND (€295-555)
• Food and restaurants: 6,000,000-10,000,000 VND (€220-370)
• Transportation (scooter + Grab): 2,000,000-3,000,000 VND (€75-110)
• Internet + phone: 500,000 VND (€18)
• Electricity + water: 1,000,000-2,000,000 VND (€37-75)
• Leisure and going out: 5,000,000-8,000,000 VND (€185-295)
• Health insurance: 2,700,000-8,100,000 VND (€100-300)

Total: 25-48 million VND/month (€925-1,775)

For a detailed analysis, see our guide to a monthly budget in Da Nang, with real 2026 prices.

06Negotiating Your Package with Your French Company

If your company agrees to let you work from Vietnam, some things are negotiable to make your move work better.

What to Negotiate for Remote Work

1. Keeping your French salary Your cost of living goes down, but your professional value stays the same. Keep your full French salary.

2. Equipment allowance Ask for an annual allowance of €1,000-2,000 to cover:

• An ergonomic desk and chair
• Additional monitor(s)
• A noise-canceling headset for video calls
• Backup internet (unlimited 4G)

3. Flexible hours Put your shifted hours and your availability for meetings in writing.

4. Business trips Negotiate 2-4 trips back to France a year at the company's expense to stay connected with your teams.

What to Negotiate for a Secondment

The classic expat package includes:

1. Expatriation bonus 15-30% of base salary, to compensate for the distance and constraints.

2. Housing Full or partial coverage (a cap of €1,500-3,000/month depending on the city).

3. Children's schooling International schools are expensive in Vietnam (€15,000-25,000/year). Negotiate coverage.

4. Travel

• 2-4 round-trip tickets France-Vietnam a year for the whole family
• Business class for flights over 6 hours (negotiable)

5. Vehicle A company car or a monthly allowance of €500-1,000.

6. Premium health insurance International coverage with repatriation and no annual cap.

7. Administrative support Coverage of visa and work permit fees and a relocation agent.

Tip: Any expat package should be formalized in an amendment to your employment contract, detailing each item and its value. Don't settle for a verbal agreement.

What to Negotiate on a Local Contract

If you accept a local contract, make up for the loss of French social protection:

1. A higher net salary Ask for a net salary equal to or higher than what you earned in France (the employer's costs are lower in Vietnam).

2. International health insurance Insist on premium insurance (such as April Expat or Allianz Care) fully paid by the employer.

3. Voluntary retirement contributions Negotiate an employer contribution to a private retirement plan (10-15% of salary).

4. A return clause Set out in the contract the conditions for returning to France (a guaranteed equivalent position, moving costs covered).

07Legal Aspects and Traps to Avoid

Working in Vietnam for a French company involves legal gray areas you need to know about to avoid problems.

Informal Remote Work: Tolerated but Not Legal

Many digital nomads work in Vietnam on a simple tourist visa. The practice is tolerated as long as:

• You don't generate Vietnamese-source income
• You don't work for a Vietnamese company
• You don't solicit local clients
• You keep a low profile about your work

Real risks:

• A fine: 5,000,000-10,000,000 VND (€185-370)
• Deportation with a re-entry ban (rare, but possible)
• Refusal to renew your visa

Tip: Always answer immigration's questions accurately: a false statement makes your situation worse. If your activity requires a work permit, regularize it rather than hiding it.

Permanent Establishment: A Tax Risk for Your Company

If you work in Vietnam for a French company with no local entity, you may be creating a "permanent establishment" for tax purposes.

Consequence: Your company could owe Vietnamese corporate income tax on income generated from Vietnam.

Conditions for a permanent establishment:

• A permanent presence (office, employee on site)
• Commercial activity in Vietnam
• Signing contracts on the company's behalf from Vietnam

Solution: If you do pure remote work (no local prospecting, no signing of contracts), the risk is almost zero. Document that your activity remains purely French.

The Maximum Length of Stay Without a Work Permit

Unofficially, the Vietnamese authorities tolerate remote work for short stays (less than 6 months in total per year).

Warning threshold: If you go over 183 days, you become a Vietnamese tax resident and the authorities may require a work permit.

Tip: Alternate periods of 2-3 months in Vietnam with trips back to France or around the region (Thailand, Cambodia). This resets your day count and reduces the risks.

Checks and Inspections

Immigration checks in Vietnam have been stepped up since 2024. The authorities check in particular:

On arrival:

• That your visa matches your declared length of stay
• Proof of financial means (rarely requested, but have 1,000 USD in cash or a bank statement)
• A return or onward ticket

In the country:

• Residence registration (mandatory within 24 hours, usually done by your hotel/landlord)
• Random checks in coworking spaces (very rare)

Tip: Always carry a copy of your passport, visa and proof of address. If you're checked, stay polite and cooperative.

08Preparing to Leave: Administrative Checklist

A successful move to Vietnam while working for a French company requires careful preparation.

3-6 Months Before You Leave

With your employer:

• Put the remote work or secondment agreement in writing
• Define the practical arrangements (hours, meetings, reporting)
• Clarify your legal and tax status
• Negotiate your package (salary, bonuses, benefits)

Paperwork in France:

• Check your passport's validity (at least 6 months)
• Get your diplomas apostilled (if a work permit is planned)
• Get a criminal record extract
• Take out international health insurance
• Tell your bank you're moving abroad

Paperwork for Vietnam:

• Apply for your e-visa or business visa
• Look for housing (Airbnb for the first few months)
• Contact an agent for the work permit (if applicable)

1 Month Before You Leave

• Book your flight (expect €600-1,200 round trip Paris-Da Nang)
• Take out repatriation insurance
• Get the recommended vaccinations (hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis)
• Prepare your work equipment (computer, accessories)
• Download the essential apps (Grab, Zalo, Google Translate)
• Exchange some euros into VND (€500 to get started)

Your First Week There

• Register your residence with the local authorities
• Buy a Vietnamese SIM card (Viettel or Vinaphone)
• Open a bank account (if on a local contract)
• Test your internet connection and find backups
• Scout coworking spaces and cafes with Wi-Fi
• Join expat Facebook groups ("Expats in Da Nang," "French in Vietnam")

For an exhaustive list, see our Vietnam moving checklist, with 47 detailed steps.

09Alternatives and Hybrid Solutions

Working in Vietnam for a French company isn't the only option. Here are some alternatives to consider.

Becoming an International Freelancer

Rather than staying an employee, you can set up a French micro-enterprise and bill your former employer as a contractor.

Pros:

• Total flexibility
• Tax optimization (34% flat-rate allowance under the micro-enterprise regime)
• No work permit needed in Vietnam
• The option to diversify your clients

Cons:

• Loss of job security
• Heavier administrative workload
• No paid vacation or unemployment protection

See our guide to starting a business abroad to explore this option.

International Wage Portage

Wage portage (portage salarial) lets you bill your French company while keeping employee status.

How it works:

• A portage company employs you
• You bill your services to the French company
• The portage company pays you a salary

Cost: 5-10% in management fees Pros: Employee status + flexibility

Recommended companies: ITG, Freeland, RH Solutions

The Hybrid Formula (3-6 Months a Year)

More and more professionals are adopting a hybrid formula:

• 6 months in France (tax residence maintained)
• 6 months in Vietnam (on a tourist visa)

Pros:

• No change of tax residence
• You keep your social ties in France
• A gradual discovery of Vietnam
• Minimal legal risk

Tip: This formula is ideal for testing life abroad before making a long-term commitment. Many expats start this way.

10FAQ: Working in Vietnam for a French Company

Can I work in Vietnam on a simple tourist visa?

Technically no: a tourist visa doesn't authorize you to work. However, if you work remotely for a French company without generating local income, the practice is widely tolerated. Thousands of digital nomads work this way in Vietnam. The risk of a fine or deportation remains low as long as you keep a low profile and don't exceed 6 consecutive months. For a 100% legal situation, you need a work permit.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Vietnam?

The average time to get a work permit is 4 to 8 weeks, provided your application is complete. The main steps are: validation of your employment contract (1 week), obtaining the work permit eligibility certificate (2-3 weeks), then issuance of the permit itself (1-2 weeks). It can take longer if your documents need additional translations or apostilles. Allow 2-3 months to be safe, especially if you go through an agent.

Will I pay my taxes in France or in Vietnam?

It depends on your tax residence, which is determined by the 183-day rule. If you spend more than 183 days in Vietnam in the year, you become a Vietnamese tax resident and must declare your worldwide income there. If you stay fewer than 183 days, you remain a French tax resident. The France-Vietnam tax treaty prevents double taxation: you pay in only one country, the one where you're a tax resident. When working remotely on an informal basis, most expats keep paying in France.

Can my French company refuse to let me work from Vietnam?

Yes, your employer has the right to refuse international remote work. The reasons can be legal (risk of creating a permanent establishment), organizational (need for physical presence) or HR policy. However, since the pandemic, many companies have become more open to remote work from abroad. Present a solid plan: compatible hours, a commitment to results, a 3-6-month trial period. Highlight the benefits for the company (no extra costs, a happier and more productive employee).

Which health insurance should I choose for working in Vietnam?

If you work remotely and keep your French social security, take out international top-up insurance such as April Expat (€100-200/month) for costs that aren't reimbursed. On a secondment, insist on premium insurance such as Allianz Care or Cigna Global (€300-500/month) with worldwide coverage and no cap. On a local contract, international insurance is essential, because the Vietnamese system only covers public hospitals of average quality. Go for insurers whose network includes the international hospitals in Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

11Conclusion: Taking the Leap with Peace of Mind

Working in Vietnam for a French company is an exceptional opportunity to combine your career with quality of life. Whether you opt for remote work, a secondment or a local contract, each formula has its advantages and constraints.

The key points to remember:

Legally: Informal remote work is tolerated but carries risks. For a 100% secure situation, aim for a secondment with a work permit.

Tax-wise: The 183-day rule determines your tax residence. Plan ahead and see an expert to optimize your situation.

Practically: Vietnam offers excellent infrastructure (internet, coworking, housing) at unbeatable prices. The cost of living is 40-60% lower than in France.

Socially: The French community is active and welcoming. You won't be isolated.

Moving to Vietnam to work for a French company is no longer a utopia reserved for senior executives. With the digitalization of work, this opportunity is open to all profiles: developers, marketers, consultants, designers, project managers...

The key to success? Careful preparation, transparent communication with your employer, and professional support to secure the administrative and legal aspects.