Vietnam has identified 10 strategic technologies where they urgently need specialists. Check if you qualify for a 5-year visa.
While everyone was waiting in vain for a digital nomad visa, Vietnam made a bold move. A decree came into effect on July 1: the country officially released a list of 10 strategic technologies into which it will now invest money, provide incentives, and lure talent.
The list includes:
Artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, IoT, blockchain
5G and next-generation networks
Robotics and automation
Biotechnology and biomedicine
Energy: batteries, BESS, green hydrogen, new materials
Semiconductors and specialized chips
Cybersecurity and quantum technologies
Marine and underwater technologies
Aerospace and satellites
High-speed railways
All of this is strictly divided into two groups. The first is what needs to be implemented and sold tomorrow: AI cameras, autonomous robots, infrastructure protection. The second is their bets on the future: their own chips, satellites, and quantum computing.
On the same day (coincidence? We don't think so) a new UĐ1 visa was introduced, valid for up to 5 years for specialists in the digital industry.
Of course, this list should not be confused with the ready-made list of visa professions. But the practical conclusion is clear: if you have the hard skills from the list above, a legal loophole opens up for you.
Vietnamese corporations are currently creating committees for these tasks and seeking expertise. Knocking on the doors of Vietnamese tech companies and requesting relocation under the UĐ1 visa is now a viable option. It will be easier for employers to justify to the authorities why they need you.
Important clarification: The UĐ1 visa is not a digital nomad visa and is not intended for remote freelancers without a Vietnamese employer.
For detailed information on who is eligible for a UĐ1 visa and how to prepare for it, please see our guide:
