The Vietnamese authorities have changed the procedure for applying for Temporary Residence Cards (TRCs): from February 2026, it will only be possible to submit documents directly within the country if you have an LD2 (work) or TT (family member) visa. Holders of other visas, including business visas, must now first go through the mandatory stage of converting their visa to the appropriate category before applying for a TRC.
According to estimates by the international consulting company Fragomen, the introduction of this additional step will increase the processing time for TRCs by approximately two weeks. Experts recommend first obtaining a work permit and then applying for the appropriate type of entry visa to avoid delays in legalizing your status.
The change effectively establishes a stricter “chain” of migration control: work permit – work visa – residence card, which increases the risks for those who enter on an e-visa or a “start-up” business visa and only then apply for work documents.
According to the World Bank (UN estimate on international migration), in mid-2024, there were about 326,400 international migrants (born outside the country) living in Vietnam, which corresponds to approximately 0.3% of the population.
At the same time, Vietnam received a record 21.2 million foreign visitors in 2025, with the largest markets being China (5.28 million), South Korea (4.33 million), Taiwan (1.23 million), the United States (849,000), Japan (814,000), India (746,500), Russia (689,700), Cambodia (687,100), Malaysia (573,700), and Australia (548,500). Ukraine is not included in the top 10 markets in the summary.
On January 20, 2026, the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) was officially opened at the National Convention Center in Hanoi. Held every five years, this is an important political event for the country, ushering in a new era of national development.
This congress brought together more than 1,500 delegates to discuss strategic issues for the country in the fields of politics, diplomacy, and economics.
The congress was attended by 111 ambassadors, chargés d’affaires of various countries, as well as heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vietnam.
The opening session of the Congress was chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on behalf of the Presidium. After that, Vietnamese President General Luong Quang delivered an opening speech to the Congress, in which he presented the main theses and tasks of the country’s development vision and emphasized the beginning of a new page in Vietnam’s domestic and foreign policy.
In his speech, the President stressed that Vietnam prioritizes economic development, building on the achievements of 40 years of reform and creating a solid foundation for the country’s further development in a new era, pursuing an independent, self-reliant, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, harmoniously managing relations with partners, especially with major powers, neighboring countries, and important partners.
Therefore, one of the central topics discussed and decided at this congress was the focus on the goal of high economic growth over the next five years.
• The Vietnamese economy is currently in a boom phase with GDP growth rates of 7.09% in 2024 compared to the previous year and an estimated 8.02% in 2025.
• Vietnam aims to achieve annual economic growth of at least 10% over the next five years, while maintaining macroeconomic stability and controlling inflation.
• Unlike many countries, where strategic documents are often dependent on political cycles, Vietnam declares an approach focused on consistency, institutional continuity, and development in clearly defined stages.
Secretary General of the CPC Central Committee, Chairman of the Document Subcommittee Mr. To Lam presented the 13th Central Committee’s report on the documents of the 14th Party Congress.
In his speech, he reaffirmed the strategic vision, spirit of innovation, and need for decisive action for a new stage of national development. “The 14th National Party Congress marks an important event, opening a new chapter in the country’s development under new conditions, situations, and goals; it is a congress of strategic autonomy, independence, self-reliance, national pride, aspirations for progress, and unwavering faith in the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and our people,” said the General Secretary.
To achieve the country’s development goals in the near term, emphasis is placed on key guiding principles that are considered a strategic “launch pad” for realizing the goal of transforming Vietnam into a developed country with a high income level by 2045, namely:
1. Strategic decisions on economic development and domestic policy, with an emphasis on technology, innovation, and digital transformation (Active introduction of digital technologies into all areas of life and governance, identifying them as a new driver of growth, linked to artificial intelligence (AI), digital government, and digital society).
The prioritization of science, technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence is in line with global trends.
At the same time, Vietnam declares its desire to combine technological modernization with the development of its own human resources and internal competencies. This approach is characteristic of countries seeking to transition from the role of production sites to participants in higher-level technological and innovation chains.
2. Institutional reforms and strengthening of public administration
Significant emphasis is placed on improving institutional architecture: optimising the administrative system, decentralisation and developing the legal environment.
In a comparative context, this brings Vietnam closer to development models where institutional capacity is seen as a key driver of sustainable growth, rather than just a supporting element of a market economy.
3. Energy transformation is seen not as an environmental policy, but as an economic prerequisite for maintaining export competitiveness.
The Joint Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and aggressive development of renewable energy should ensure compliance with the decarbonization requirements of global supply chains.
4. Anti-corruption campaign (“Blazing Furnace”) and management balance
The anti-corruption campaign will be shifted from political mobilization to an institutional format.
The key challenge remains overcoming the so-called “fear of signing” — bureaucratic paralysis that slows down the implementation of infrastructure and investment projects. The focus is expected to be on the digitalization of control and a clearer division of responsibilities.
5. Comprehensively develop the cultural and social spheres, improve people’s living standards, and ensure social security.
6. Confirm the course of independence and multi-vector foreign policy.
The confirmation of a multi-vector foreign policy indicates Vietnam’s intention to maintain strategic autonomy in the face of growing global competition.
Vietnam’s declared strategic course combines:
• long-term state planning;
• ambitious economic growth targets;
• institutional and administrative reforms;
• selective technological modernization;
• the pursuit of foreign policy balance.
Taken together, this forms a pragmatic development model that differs from both liberalized market approaches and rigidly centralized economic systems, reflecting an attempt to adapt to conditions of global uncertainty.
In just a few days, from January 19 to 25, 2026, an extremely important political event for the country will take place in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi — the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Under the slogan “Unity — Democracy — Discipline — Breakthrough — Development,” the congress will determine strategic decisions that will open a new path of development for Vietnam, achieving national development goals by 2030 — a symbolic date marking the 100th anniversary of the party’s founding; with a vision for 2045, when the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam) will be celebrated.
On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi), President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The country entered a new era, the most remarkable era in the country’s history — the era of Ho Chi Minh.
Looking back on the path traveled, after 40 years of reforms—the successful implementation of the Doi Moi (Renewal) policy—Vietnam has achieved historic successes: maintaining high GDP growth (reaching approximately 8-8.5% in 2025), the economy has reached a size of US$514 billion, and the country has been classified as an upper-middle-income country. Vietnam’s import-export turnover is expected to reach US$920 billion for the first time in 2025, placing the country among the top 15 countries in the world in terms of trade value.
On the international stage, Vietnam has become deeply integrated into the global economy, becoming an important link in global supply chains and establishing partnerships with more than 220 markets.
Vietnam is an active and responsible member of many international organizations, including the UN, ASEAN, APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting), and the World Trade Organization, demonstrating its integration into the global political and economic system.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam actively develops multilateral diplomacy by participating in regional forums and initiatives to accelerate development and strengthen peace.
The upcoming congress is seen as a key event in shaping the strategic vision for the country’s development, focusing on promoting the digital economy, manufacturing, and innovation, while putting people at the center.
By 2030: Transform Vietnam into a developing country with a modern industry and above-average income. Specific targets include average annual GDP growth of 10% or higher during 2026-2030.
By 2045: Achieve the status of a developed country with a high income level, relying on the rapid growth of the service sector (trade, tourism, logistics), industry, investment attraction, and structural transformation (from an agrarian to a post-industrial economy), making it a new center of economic growth in Asia, similar to China in the past. Preparations for the congress are already in full swing, with specialized subcommittees working and key documents being publicly discussed. Unlike previous congresses, the current cycle is seen not as a course correction, but as a transition to a new phase of development, which official documents describe as an “era of national rebirth.”
In this context, the 14th Congress is significant not only as a domestic political event, but also as a point of strategic fixation of Vietnam’s course — economic, institutional, and geopolitical — which will directly influence the perception of the country by international investors, partners, and governments.
Imports of electric telephone or telegraph apparatus and videophones (HS 8517) to Ukraine in January-September increased by 24.4% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching $1.12 billion, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.
According to statistics, the largest volume of these products was imported from China (54.6% or $613 million), Vietnam (15.2% or $171.2 million), and the United States (8.5% or $95.4 million), while last year it was China (64.1% or $579.1 million), Vietnam (16.3% or $147.1 million), and Malaysia (4.2% or $38 million).
At the same time, exports of these products from Ukraine in January-September 2025 amounted to $92.5 million, 42% more than in the first nine months of last year, mainly to Hungary (71.5%), Poland (23.3%), and the Netherlands (less than 1%). During the same period in 2024, products were exported mainly to the same countries, but Hungary accounted for 60%, Poland for 30.4%, and the Netherlands for 4.5%.
According to the State Customs Service, in 2024, telephone or telegraph equipment worth almost $1.26 billion was imported into Ukraine, which is 10% more than in 2023.
Vietnam has significantly expanded its visa-free regime, adding 12 European countries to the list of countries whose citizens can stay in the country for up to 45 days without a visa. This is valid from August 15, 2025, to August 14, 2028, and covers EU countries such as Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, and others that have joined the existing list, which includes France, Japan, the UK, and others.
This has signaled a revival in the resort real estate market: tourists with long visa-free periods and high incomes have become actively interested in buying villas, apartments, and condo hotels, especially in tourist areas. The Vietnam Association of Real Estate Agents (VARS) notes an increase in demand and a steady recovery in the sector.
The foreign population in the country is small but diverse:
Real estate purchase prices (per square meter):
Rental prices (per month):
During a reception in Kyiv to mark the 80th anniversary of Vietnam National Day, Pham Hai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Ukraine, emphasized that cooperation with Ukraine has significant potential in the areas of economy, technology, and culture.
“Over the past decades, Vietnam has achieved significant success in political, economic, and social development. In 2025, our GDP is projected to reach approximately $510 billion, and foreign trade turnover in 2024 exceeded $800 billion. Vietnam is among the 35 largest economies in the world and among the top 20 leading exporters,” the diplomat noted.
The ambassador said that despite difficult conditions, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Ukraine is showing positive dynamics: in the first half of 2025, its volume increased by 30% to $560 million.
He separately emphasized the role of the Vietnamese community in Ukraine, which numbers more than 800 people and acts as an “important bridge of friendship between the peoples.”
“We highly appreciate the contribution of Ukrainian specialists to the development of Vietnam after the war, as well as the support of our diaspora in Ukraine, which is actively integrated into local society while preserving its cultural identity,” the ambassador said.
Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Vietnam were established on January 23, 1992. The Vietnamese Embassy in Kyiv opened in 1993, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Hanoi opened in 1997.
Vietnam’s economy (as of 2025)
