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Moving from Vietnam Tax Guide 2026: PIT Departure, BHXH Social Insurance & VND Transfers

Quick Answer:Vietnam does not impose an exit tax on departing residents. Vietnamese PIT reaches 35% for residents on a progressive scale; non-residents pay a flat 20% on Vietnamese-source income. Foreign employees can claim a one-time BHXH (social insurance) lump-sum withdrawal on permanent departure. BHYT (health insurance) ends on departure. Vietnamese real estate sales attract a 2% withholding on gross proceeds regardless of gain. VND international transfers require Vietnamese bank documentation.
By Daniel, founder of CountryTaxCalc.com

Last Updated:April 2026

Key Facts

Vietnamese PIT Rates and Residency
Vietnamese Personal Income Tax (PIT — Thuế Thu nhập cá nhân) rates for residents (2026): 5% (up to VND 60,000,000), 10% (VND 60–120M), 15% (VND 120–216M), 20% (VND 216–384M), 25% (VND 384–624M), 30% (VND 624–960M), 35% (above VND 960,000,000 — approximately USD 38,000). Note: these monthly brackets — annual equivalent at 35%: VND 11.52B/year. The brackets are denominated monthly in Vietnamese tax law; multiply by 12 for annual. Non-resident PIT: flat 20% on Vietnamese-source income (employment income, business income, investment income). Tax residency: Vietnamese tax residency applies if you: (1) reside in Vietnam for 183+ days in a calendar year or within a 12-month period from the first date of arrival; or (2) have a permanent registered residence (thường trú) in Vietnam even if present fewer than 183 days. Loss of Vietnamese residency: ceasing Vietnamese residency registration and departing ends Vietnamese tax residency. Final PIT filing year: the full calendar year of departure, filed by March 31 of the following year (or 45 days after departure for those leaving mid-year under certain conditions). Tax code: maintain your Vietnamese PIT tax code (mã số thuế) if you retain Vietnamese income-generating assets.
BHXH Social Insurance: One-Time Withdrawal for Departing Foreigners
BHXH (Bảo hiểm xã hội — Social Insurance) is Vietnam's mandatory social insurance system. Employee contributions: 8% of gross salary (pension and survivor's fund — hưu trí và tử tuất); employer: 17.5% total BHXH. BHYT (Health Insurance — Bảo hiểm y tế): employee 1.5%, employer 3%. BHTN (Unemployment insurance — Bảo hiểm thất nghiệp): employee 1%, employer 1%. BHXH one-time lump sum withdrawal (hưởng BHXH một lần): available for Vietnamese citizens and foreign workers who: (1) Are permanently leaving Vietnam; or (2) Have reached pension age but have fewer than 20 years contributions; or (3) Other qualifying conditions. For foreign nationals permanently departing Vietnam: Law 58/2014 on Social Insurance (amended 2018 and 2023) provides that foreign workers enrolled in Vietnamese BHXH can claim a one-time withdrawal upon permanent departure. Amount: the withdrawal covers the employee's own contribution share (8% × salary × contribution months). The employer's contribution portion is not returned (it funds the pension pool). Tax on BHXH withdrawal: subject to 10% PIT withholding at source. Application: submit to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) branch (Bảo hiểm xã hội) in the province/city where you last worked. Required documents: passport; work permit (giấy phép lao động); BHXH participation book (sổ BHXH); Vietnamese bank account for payment; resignation letter or employment termination document. Processing: 10–15 working days.
Vietnamese Real Estate: Non-Resident Property and 2% Withholding
Foreign real estate ownership in Vietnam: foreigners can own apartments and houses in Vietnam for a 50-year renewable term (Law on Housing 2014, amended 2023). Land use rights cannot be directly owned by foreigners — they hold a use right for the defined term. On departure: you retain Vietnamese real estate ownership as a non-resident. The 50-year ownership term continues irrespective of your residency status. Renewal: the term can be renewed once at expiry. Capital gains / transfer tax on Vietnamese real estate: Vietnam does not apply a traditional CGT regime to real estate. Instead: a 2% withholding (thuế thu nhập cá nhân từ chuyển nhượng bất động sản) applies on the full transaction value (selling price). This 2% is a final tax — not calculated on the gain. The buyer or the land registration authority collects the 2% at the time of transfer. Example: sell an apartment for VND 5B → 2% = VND 100M tax withheld at transfer, regardless of whether you made a gain or loss. Rental income as non-resident: 5% PIT + 1% VAT on gross rental income (for residential property leased by individuals) — withheld if the tenant is a Vietnamese company; otherwise self-declared by the landlord. BHYT health insurance as a landlord: ongoing BHYT contributions are not required for non-resident property owners — only for those with Vietnamese residency registration and employment in Vietnam.
VND Transfers and Vietnamese Foreign Exchange Regulations
Vietnamese dong (VND) and foreign exchange (FX) regulations: Vietnam maintains a managed exchange rate and periodic FX controls. Foreign individuals working in Vietnam can freely remit foreign currency salaries and legally obtained VND to foreign accounts. Conditions for legal VND remittance abroad: (1) The VND must have been legally earned or converted from legally earned foreign currency income in Vietnam. (2) The remitting bank (Vietcombank, VietinBank, BIDV, Techcombank, etc.) requires documentation: employment contract, PIT withholding certificate, source of funds statement. (3) Large transfers (above $50,000 equivalent): additional documentation may be required. Property sale proceeds: if you sell Vietnamese real estate as a non-resident and receive VND proceeds: Vietnamese banks can convert VND to foreign currency and remit abroad with proper documentation (sale contract, tax clearance, proof of title). Processing at Vietnamese banks for large property transfers can take 5–10 working days. Wise from Vietnam: Wise supports VND to foreign currency at competitive rates — useful for smaller transfers. For property-scale transfers (tens of thousands of USD equivalent): coordinate with your Vietnamese bank's international transfer desk. Cash limits: individuals entering/leaving Vietnam with more than USD 5,000 equivalent cash must declare at customs.
Final PIT Filing and Tax Code Procedures
Vietnamese tax year: calendar year. Final PIT return: for the year of departure, file the annual PIT finalisation (quyết toán thuế TNCN) — Form 02/QTT-TNCN. For employees whose employer withholds PIT: the employer handles the PIT finalisation (quyết toán) annually. If you depart mid-year: you can either (1) leave the finalisation to the employer in January of the following year; or (2) file your own PIT finalisation at the local Tax Department (Chi cục Thuế) before departing — required if you need an early refund. Refund: if PIT was overwitheld: the refund is credited to your Vietnamese bank account or offset against other tax liabilities. Refund processing: 15–45 days. Tax code (mã số thuế): your Vietnamese tax code can be deactivated by notifying the tax authority (Cục Thuế) of your departure. Required: Form 24/ĐK-TCT (change or deletion of tax registration). Deregistration is not mandatory if you retain Vietnamese income — keep the tax code active if you have ongoing rental income, dividends, or business interests. BHYT deregistration: cancel your BHYT participation with VSS (Vietnam Social Security) upon departure — prevents further premium charges. Work permit: your employer must cancel the work permit with the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) within 5 working days of employment termination. Overstay risks: Vietnam charges fines for overstaying visas — ensure your visa status is resolved before departure.

Vietnam has experienced rapid economic growth, attracting a significant expatriate community in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Vietnam's tax system distinguishes between residents and non-residents, with a flat 20% withholding for non-residents offering simplicity but not always lower tax. The BHXH social insurance one-time withdrawal — introduced to allow departing foreign workers to recoup contributions — is a key departure consideration. Vietnam's capital controls and VND transferability also require advance planning.

Moving from Vietnam to the UK, Australia, or Singapore

Key tax considerations for the most common departure destinations:

UK: The Vietnam-UK DTA (1994) provides double tax relief. Vietnamese pensions paid to UK residents: Article 18 — typically taxable only in the UK. Vietnamese rental income: taxable in Vietnam (source, 5% PIT) and UK (residence) — UK FTC for Vietnamese tax paid. BHXH lump sum received in UK: DTA pension provisions may apply — declare as foreign pension income on UK self-assessment return.

Australia: Vietnam-Australia DTA (1992) governs. BHXH proceeds and Vietnamese pension: assessed under the pension article — declare on Australian return; credit for Vietnamese 10% withholding. ATO superannuation: Vietnamese BHXH contributions cannot be transferred to Australian superannuation.

Singapore: No Vietnam-Singapore income tax treaty — check current status. Singapore taxes Singapore-source income only; Vietnamese rental income and dividends remain taxable in Vietnam at non-resident rates. No FTC mechanism in Singapore for Vietnamese taxes on foreign-source income (Singapore doesn't tax foreign income for most individuals).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I claim my BHXH social insurance back when leaving Vietnam permanently?

BHXH one-time withdrawal process for departing foreigners: (1) Gather documents: valid passport; work permit (Giấy phép lao động) — original or certified copy; BHXH participation book (Sổ bảo hiểm xã hội) — issued by your employer; employment termination letter or resignation confirmation; Vietnamese bank account for receipt of funds. (2) Submit to Vietnam Social Security (VSS — Bảo hiểm Xã hội Việt Nam): visit the provincial/city VSS office (Bảo hiểm Xã hội tỉnh/thành phố) where you last worked. Submit Form 14-HSB (Application for one-time BHXH payment). (3) Processing: VSS reviews within 10–15 working days and issues a decision (quyết định hưởng). Payment is made to your designated Vietnamese bank account. (4) Tax: VSS withholds 10% PIT on the payment. The net amount (90%) is deposited to your account. (5) Amount: the withdrawal equals your employee BHXH contribution percentage (8%) × your assessed monthly salary × number of contributing months. Employer contributions are not returned. (6) Important timing: you cannot withdraw BHXH while still employed in Vietnam or while your work permit is active. Ensure your employment has terminated and your work permit has been cancelled before applying.

Q: Can I own Vietnamese property as a non-resident after I leave?

Yes — under Vietnam's Housing Law 2014 (amended 2023), foreigners who legally purchased residential property (apartments or houses in eligible projects) can retain ownership for the full 50-year term after departing as tax residents. Key ongoing obligations: (1) Property maintenance fees: condominium management fees continue regardless of occupancy. (2) Rental income: if you rent out the property, 5% PIT + 1% VAT (total 6%) applies on gross rent. The tenant (if a Vietnamese company) typically withholds at source; individual tenants may not withhold correctly — file an annual PIT return with the local tax authority for the rental income. (3) Property insurance: standard property insurance (bảo hiểm nhà ở) is advisable — available from Vietnamese insurance companies (Baoviet, PVI, Bảo Minh). (4) Sale as non-resident: 2% withholding on sale proceeds (final tax); engage a Vietnamese property lawyer to handle the transfer. (5) Renewal at 50-year expiry: apply for a renewal of the term with the local housing authority — the process and terms depend on prevailing law at the time. (6) Power of attorney: appoint a trusted Vietnamese contact via a Notarised and Apostilled POA to manage the property (tenant relations, tax filing, maintenance) on your behalf while abroad.

Q: Do I have to pay PIT on worldwide income while working in Vietnam?

Yes — Vietnamese tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. As a resident (183+ days in Vietnam in a year), you must declare: (1) Vietnamese employment income (already withheld by your employer via PIT withholding — PIT khấu trừ). (2) Foreign employment income for any period of Vietnamese residency: taxable in Vietnam. Many expatriate employers handle this via tax equalisation. (3) Foreign investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains from foreign assets): technically taxable in Vietnam as a resident. DTA relief may reduce or eliminate double taxation. Practical enforcement: Vietnam's enforcement of tax on foreign-source income for expats has improved with CRS participation, but is still less rigorous than higher-enforcement jurisdictions like Germany or Australia. Best practice: declare foreign-source income on the annual PIT finalisation. Foreign tax credits: PIT Law Article 26 allows credits for foreign income taxes paid on foreign-source income — reducing the risk of true double taxation. Retain foreign tax certificates (e.g., foreign income tax receipts, T4 slips, P60s) for credit claims.

Q: What happens to my Vietnamese stock holdings and investments when I leave?

Vietnamese securities: foreigners can invest in Vietnamese stocks (Hose/HNX exchanges) via a Securities Trading Code (Mã giao dịch chứng khoán) issued through a Vietnamese custodian bank or securities company. On departure as a non-resident: (1) You retain your securities trading code and can continue trading as a non-resident investor. (2) Capital gains on Vietnamese securities: non-residents pay 0.1% withholding on the gross transaction value (every sale) rather than a percentage of the actual gain — this is a final tax. Vietnamese residents: 0.1% withholding on every sale. Effectively the CGT regime is the same for residents and non-residents. (3) Dividends from Vietnamese listed companies: 5% withholding for non-residents. (4) Foreign transfer of proceeds: Vietnamese securities accounts at custodian banks can remit sale proceeds abroad in foreign currency — with documentation. (5) Fund accounts and investment accounts: mutual fund units (chứng chỉ quỹ) held in Vietnamese fund management companies can be sold and proceeds remitted. Vietnamese bank deposits: interest on VND deposits for non-residents — 5% withholding. USD/foreign currency deposits: 0% withholding on interest for individual non-resident depositors.

Disclaimer:This guide provides general tax information for educational purposes only. Vietnamese PIT rules, BHXH withdrawal procedures, and foreign exchange regulations change with Vietnamese legislation and GDT (General Department of Taxation) administrative guidance. Nothing in this guide constitutes tax or legal advice. Consult a Vietnamese tax adviser before departing Vietnam.

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