Vietnamese Expats in Colombia: Complete Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

1. Vietnam at a Glance

2. Why Vietnamese Nationals Choose Colombia

Vietnam's remarkable economic transformation over the past three decades has produced a growing professional class with international ambitions and the means to pursue them. Colombian cities — particularly Medellín and Bogotá — have attracted Vietnamese business owners, food entrepreneurs, and tech professionals drawn by the accessibility of South America's third-largest economy and its open investment climate. Vietnam and Colombia share complementary agricultural export profiles: Vietnam's robust coffee and rice export sectors have natural synergies with Colombia's food and beverage industry, and bilateral trade discussions have grown in parallel with people-to-people connections.

For the Vietnamese diaspora already established in Europe or North America, Colombia has become an attractive secondary hub — offering a high standard of living at lower cost, year-round temperate climate in cities like Medellín, and a growing Vietnamese food and cultural community particularly in Bogotá. The country's Visa M-13 Digital Nomad category is accessible to Vietnamese tech professionals and content creators who work remotely. Colombia's proximity to the United States also makes it a strategic location for Vietnamese entrepreneurs with transatlantic business ties.

3. Colombian Embassy in Vietnam

4. Visa Status for Vietnamese Nationals

5. Colombian Visa M — Categories & Fees

The Colombian Visa M (Migrante) is the primary long-stay visa for foreign nationals. All categories carry the same government fee structure: USD 255 (study/application fee) + USD 232 (issuance fee upon approval), totaling approximately USD 487. Fees are paid online via the Cancillería portal.

A valid health insurance policy covering the full visa duration is a mandatory requirement for all Visa M categories, including hospitalization, illness, and repatriation coverage.

6. Health System in Vietnam

Vietnam operates a near-universal health insurance system through VSS (Vietnam Social Security / Bảo hiểm xã hội Việt Nam), which administers mandatory health insurance (BHYT — Bảo hiểm Y tế) for all formal employees. Coverage has been substantially expanded under Vietnam's universal health coverage goals. The public hospital network includes flagship institutions such as Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) and Cho Ray Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), which serve as national referral centers. A rapidly growing private sector — led by Vinmec International Hospital, FV Hospital (HCMC), and Hanoi French Hospital — serves middle- and upper-income Vietnamese and expatriates. Vietnam has also become a regional medical tourism destination for patients from Cambodia and Laos.

When Vietnamese nationals move to Colombia, their BHYT coverage and any private Vietnamese health insurance do not extend to Colombian territory. Colombia requires all Visa M holders to maintain Colombian-compliant health insurance valid throughout the visa period. Given the structural differences between the Vietnamese and Colombian health systems, a specialized expat insurance policy that covers all seven mandatory risk areas from the first day of residency is the most practical and legally compliant solution.

7. Tax Considerations for Vietnamese Expats in Colombia

In Vietnam, taxes are administered by the GDT (General Department of Taxation / Tổng cục Thuế). Vietnamese tax residents — those spending 183 or more days in Vietnam in a tax year, or who have a permanent residence registered in Vietnam — are taxed on their worldwide income at progressive personal income tax (PIT) rates reaching up to 35%. Non-residents pay a flat 20% on Vietnam-source income. The basic PIT threshold is approximately VND 11 million per month (subject to legislative updates). Vietnam also requires mandatory PIT declaration for income above the threshold.

In Colombia, foreign nationals who spend 183 or more days in a calendar year become Colombian tax residents and must declare their worldwide income to the DIAN. There is no Double Taxation Treaty (CDI) between Vietnam and Colombia. Vietnamese expats who become Colombian tax residents while still receiving Vietnamese-source income — from rental properties, business activities, or investments in Vietnam — may face dual-country taxation without treaty relief. Consulting a Colombian contador público before and during the first year of relocation is strongly advised. The SMMLV 2026 is COP 1,423,500 per month, underpinning many Colombian legal and labor thresholds.

8. Document Legalization for Vietnam

Vietnam is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Vietnamese documents require a full multi-step diplomatic legalization chain before they are recognized in Colombia. The judicial record (Lý lịch tư pháp) is obtained from the Department of Justice (Sở Tư pháp) in the province of residence, or via the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate abroad. Begin this process several months before your planned departure.

• Obtain & Notarize: Source the original document from the relevant Vietnamese authority (e.g., criminal record/judicial record from the Sở Tư pháp; birth certificate from the Civil Registry; academic transcripts from the issuing institution). Have the document notarized (công chứng) at a Vietnamese Public Notary Office (Phòng Công chứng) or certified by the relevant state authority.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legalization: Submit the notarized document to Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Consular Department (Cục Lãnh sự, Bộ Ngoại giao) in Hanoi for authentication/legalization (hợp pháp hóa lãnh sự). This step verifies the signatures and seals on the document for foreign use.
• Colombian Embassy Legalization: Present the MoFA-legalized document to the Colombian Embassy in Hanoi for consular legalization. This certifies the Vietnamese government's authentication for Colombian authorities.
• Certified Translation to Spanish: Translate all documents from Vietnamese into Spanish through a certified translator (traductor oficial) recognized by Colombian authorities. Attach the certified translation to each original legalized document before submitting to the Cancillería.