Moving to Vietnam from Timor-Leste

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Timor-Leste to Vietnam — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Timor-Leste to Vietnam, and you’d need to navigate life in Vietnamese. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Timor-Leste to Vietnam.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2015

per 100,000 people per year

TL
4.1
VN
1.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TL
12.0
VN
17.7

Timor-Leste generally does better on safety, though Vietnam leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

TL
$461
VN
$690
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

TL
7.7
VN
8.3

Vietnam generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Timor-Leste leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

TL
61.0
VN
52.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TL
0.5t
VN
4.3t

Timor-Leste generally does better on environment, though Vietnam leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

TL
0.0
VN
21.7
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

TL
28.3%
VN
18.1%

Vietnam performs significantly better than Timor-Leste across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

TL
1.5%
VN
1.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TL
$4,600
VN
$13,700

Vietnam generally does better on employment & economy, though Timor-Leste leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

TL
69.9 yrs
VN
75.5 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TL
33.7
VN
14.8

Vietnam generally does better on family life, though Timor-Leste leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Timor-Leste and Vietnam. To live, work, or study long-term in Vietnam, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Vietnam's immigration authority.

Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting Vietnam

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Timor-Leste passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Vietnam.
Vietnam passport

Vietnam passport holder visiting Timor-Leste

Visa on Arrival
Vietnam passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Vietnam?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Vietnam has 21.7 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Vietnam safe for expats?

Timor-Leste generally does better on safety, though Vietnam leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Vietnam is 1.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 4.1 in Timor-Leste.

How is healthcare in Vietnam compared to Timor-Leste?

Vietnam generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Timor-Leste leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 8.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Vietnam, compared to 7.7 in Timor-Leste. Vietnam scores 68 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Timor-Leste: 52).

What language do they speak in Vietnam?

The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese. In Timor-Leste, the official languages are Portuguese and Tetum.

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At a Glance

TL VN
Population 1,445,006 103,808,319
Currency United States Dollar ($) Vietnamese Dong (₫)
Languages Portuguese, Tetum Vietnamese
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +670 +84
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 113