What are the risks of working remotely on a tourist visa in Vietnam (fines, police checks, deportation)?

Travelers asked which country you'd be deported to (passport-issuing country vs. departure country) if deportation happens — no official answer was found in the community, so it remains unclear for long-stayers on tourist visas.

After consulting two law firms, the Russian consulate and local contacts, it turns out arrests, device confiscation, interrogation and deportation over a police home check are still unlikely if you don't break other laws — a visit from police and a subsequent visa run passed without issues.

The main trigger for police checks is staying in the same apartment for 5-6+ months; landlords confirm local neighborhood police usually don't visit if there are no other complaints or violations.

The real risk is remote work for foreign companies while on a 90-day tourist visa or 45-day visa-exempt stamp — economic police can classify this as a labor law violation and fine 15-25 million VND (roughly $600-1000) per person.

Fine process: local police can issue an on-the-spot fine of up to 250,000 VND (~$10) without paperwork; anything higher requires a formal protocol stating the specific law violated, your statement, and referral to economic police, who must prove the violation before fining you (appealable in court afterward).

Overall trend: Vietnam is tightening visa enforcement similar to Thailand, and checks can happen at any time of day or night; however, regular tourists on a 45-90 day stay who aren't working remotely have little to worry about for now.