Is Cryptocurrency Trading Taxable in Vietnam?
The quick answer is yes. With the passage of Vietnam’s Law on Digital Technology Industry and the launch of the government’s official regulatory framework, cryptocurrency has completely emerged from the legal gray zone. Under official directives issued by the Ministry of Finance, cryptocurrencies are legally recognized as tradeable civil assets and are formally integrated into the national tax regime.
Tax Rules and Applicable Rates in Vietnam
Vietnam’s crypto tax model mirrors its securities trading tax scheme, assessing tax per transaction rather than strictly on net annual gains. The rules differ by tax subject:
| Taxpayer Category | Tax Type | Taxable Base | Applicable Rate / Method |
| Individual Investors (Residents & Expats) | Personal Income Tax (PIT) | Gross transfer amount per trade | 0.1% (Withheld by licensed exchanges) |
| Domestic Corporations | Corporate Income Tax (CIT) | Net profit (Gross proceeds minus acquisition costs & expenses) | 20% (Self-declared by company) |
| Foreign Institutions | Corporate Income Tax (CIT) | Gross revenue per transfer completed within Vietnam | 0.1% (Withheld at source) |
Note: The direct transfer and exchange of cryptocurrencies are exempt from Value-Added Tax (VAT).
Key Takeaways for Investors
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Tax Applies to Gross Sales (Regardless of Profit/Loss): Individual tax is based on total turnover. Even if you sell a token at a loss, the 0.1% PIT still applies to the total fiat-equivalent gross proceeds of that trade.
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Crypto-to-Crypto Swaps Count as Disposals: Swapping one cryptocurrency for another (e.g., BTC for USDT) is classified as a taxable transfer, assessed at 0.1% of the fair market value at the time of the swap.
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Withholding at the Exchange Level: Licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) operating in Vietnam are mandated to withhold taxes automatically at settlement, saving individual retail traders from manual tax filing for standard trades.
Legal Boundaries: Is Crypto Legal Tender?
Taxing crypto does not make it a legal currency.
Vietnamese law grants cryptocurrencies the status of digital assets / civil property, allowing legal investment, holding, and asset trading. However, using cryptocurrency as a medium of payment for goods and services remains strictly illegal in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Dong (VND) remains the sole recognized legal tender.
Cryptocurrency trading in Vietnam is fully compliant and taxed. Whether you are a local resident or an expat, trading or swapping crypto via licensed platforms incurs a 0.1% tax per transaction.