Vietnam has introduced new rules that could prevent both foreigners and certain Vietnamese citizens from leaving the country if they have outstanding tax debts.
One of the biggest changes is that you no longer have to pay your entire tax debt before an exit restriction can be removed. Instead, you only need to reduce the amount you owe below the legal threshold, provided you meet the other requirements.
The rules mainly apply to:
* Business owners and household businesses with overdue tax debts.
* Company directors, legal representatives, and beneficial owners of businesses with significant unpaid taxes.
* Individuals or businesses that are no longer operating at their registered address and fail to resolve their tax registration within the required time.
The government has also extended the grace period to 120 days, giving taxpayers more time to fix any issues before an exit restriction may be imposed.
Another important update is that once the required conditions have been met, tax authorities will immediately notify immigration to remove the travel restriction, making the process much faster than before.
If you own a business, are self-employed, or have tax obligations in Vietnam, it’s worth checking your tax status before traveling internationally. A quick check could save you from unexpected problems at the airport.
Do you think these new rules are reasonable, or do they go too far? Share your thoughts in the comments

