Working in Vietnam and want to send salary home — allowed? Any limits? What documents? The short answer: yes, foreigners’ lawful income may be remitted abroad via banks. But use the right channel with complete documents.
Foreign-exchange principles
- Foreigners working in Vietnam may remit lawful income (salaries, bonuses, other lawful income after tax obligations) through licensed credit institutions (2005 Foreign Exchange Ordinance, amended 2013).
- Don’t carry foreign cash above prescribed levels out of Vietnam undeclared; transfers go through banks with lawful documentation.
4-step bank salary remittance
- 1. Open a Vietnamese bank account (VND and/or foreign currency) — salary lands here.
- 2. Prepare documents: passport + visa/work permit (or exemption), labour contract, payroll statements, PIT payment proof (or withholding commitment).
- 3. Buy FX & transfer: the bank sells foreign currency at listed rates and wires via SWIFT to the recipient account.
- 4. Fees: international transfer fees (usually 0.05–0.2% + SWIFT cable fee) + buy/sell FX spread.
3 practical notes
- Settle taxes first: banks require proof the income was taxed — unpaid PIT blocks transfers.
- Transfer in your own name: the remitter must own the salary account; no “proxy” transfers to dodge rules.
- Keep transfer slips: needed for home-country tax filings (source-of-funds proof) and cash-flow evidence.
FAQs
Annual remittance caps?
No hard statutory cap on taxed lawful income — remit actual documented earnings. Banks report large transactions under anti-money-laundering rules.
E-wallets/crypto transfers?
Crypto is not legal tender in Vietnam — cross-border crypto transfers carry legal risk. Use banks.
Vietnamese sending money abroad for children’s study?
Allowed — for lawful purposes (study, medical care, settlement…), via licensed banks with purpose proof (admission letters, hospital bills…).
Contact us
FLAT Law Firm advises foreign nationals and their families on inheritance, wills, driving licences, health insurance and money transfers in Vietnam. Contact us for advice on your specific case.
