What are the risks of working remotely on a tourist visa in Vietnam (fines, police checks, deportation)?
From messages by 3 participants in 2 sources · Last activity: 76 days ago
In late July 2026 an expat who had a police visit shared the outcome: after consulting two law firms, a consulate and local contacts, including Vietnamese friends, he said they were not fined, arrested or deported — neither during the police visit nor afterwards. His later visa run also went without any issues.
78 days ago Police visit without consequences (July 2026)
According to his landlord, who checked with other landlords, such checks are not unusual. The most common trigger is living in the same apartment for a long time — five to six months or more; if there are no other issues, the neighbourhood police usually do not come.
78 days ago Trigger: 5–6 months in one apartment
Device confiscation, interrogation, deportation and prison are, according to the information he gathered, highly unlikely in such situations — provided you are not breaking other laws.
78 days ago
The main risk he was told about: working from Vietnam on a 90-day tourist visa or a 45-day visa-exempt stamp — even for foreign companies — may be treated by the economic police as a labour-law violation. The fine, by his information, is 15–25 million VND per person. Check the rules with a lawyer or the immigration authorities.
78 days ago Fine of 15–25 million VND per person
The fine procedure as he described it: neighbourhood police can issue a fine of up to 250,000 VND without a written report. For larger amounts a formal report must be drawn up — you are told what the violation is and which article was breached, your statement is taken, and the case is passed on. The economic police must then prove the violation, and only after that is a fine imposed, which can be challenged in court. In his words, a demand for more than 250,000 VND without a report is not a fine.
78 days ago Up to 250,000 VND without a report; above that, report required
His overall conclusion: Vietnam is tightening the rules following Thailand's example, and checks can happen at any time, day or night. Still, in his view tourists staying 45–90 days have nothing to worry about, while those with long-term plans should look into the matter more closely. He stresses that he is describing personal experience, not the final word.
78 days ago Tourists on 45–90 days — no problems