Here are some steps to follow:
Step 1: Prepare documents in accordance with legal requirements.
Step 2: Foreigners applying for permanent residence cards in Vietnam by clauses 1 and 2 of Article 39 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam must submit their dossiers in person to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security; those by clauses 3 and 4 must submit their dossiers in person to the Immigration Offices at localities where they appoint their residence.
When your application undergoes review:
+ If it is valid, the office will receive it, print and hand out a receipt, and set a date to return the results.
+ If it is not valid, the applicant will be advised to complete it.
Working time: Monday to Saturday (except for public holidays and New Year’s days).
Step 3: The Immigration Department notifies the Minister of Public Security in writing of its decision regarding foreigners’ requests for permanent residency cards. If granted, foreigners will be notified of their acceptance for permanent residence cards within 5 working days after receiving notification from the immigration offices of the provinces or centrally-run cities where they applied for permanent residency.
Step 4: Within 3 months of receiving the notice, foreigners must present themselves at the immigration offices of the provinces or centrally run cities where they applied for permanent residency to get their cards:

Recipients are required to submit receipts for examination. The officials delivering the results will ask the recipient to sign for receipt and provide permanent residency cards.
Working time: Monday to Saturday (except for public holidays and New Year’s days).
Application submission: Directly at the office of the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.
+ Dossier Requirements: 01 sets, as follow:
a) A form for applying for permanent resident status.
b) A judicial record issued by a competent authority of the nation where the individual resides.
c) A note from the representative authority of the nation of which the applicant is a citizen, requesting that Vietnam approve the applicant’s permanent residency.
d) A verified copy of the traveler’s passport.
e) Documents confirming eligibility to be considered for permanent residency, as outlined in Article 40 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, issued 16 June 2014).
f) Documents of guarantee for foreigners specified in clauses 1 and 2 of Article 39 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, dated June 16, 2014).
Processing time: Within 4 months from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Minister of Public Security considers and decides to grant permanent residence cards; if necessary for additional verification, it may be extended for no more than 2 months.
Subjects of application: Individuals.
Competent authorities: Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security.
Results of administrative procedures: Permanent residence cards.
Fee (if any): USD 100.
Application forms (if any): Permanent residency application forms (NA12).

Requirements and conditions (if any): Ensuring eligible cases and conditions for permanent residency by the Law on foreigners’ admission, exit, transit through, and residence in Vietnam. Specifically:
1. Considered cases for permanent residency cards:
a) Foreigners received medals or state honorary titles from the Vietnamese government for exceptional achievements and contributions to Vietnam’s nation-building and defense of Vietnam.
b) Foreign scientists and specialists who are temporarily staying in Vietnam.
c) Foreigners whose Vietnamese-citizen parents, spouses, or children ensure their permanent residency in Vietnam.
d) Stateless individuals who have been temporarily staying in Vietnam since at least 2000.

2. Conditions for consideration of permanent residency permission:
a) Foreigners classified under the above-mentioned cases may be granted permanent residency in Vietnam if they have legal places of abode and reliable earnings to support themselves.
b) Foreigners classified as scientists or experts and are temporarily resident in Vietnam must be asked by Ministers, Heads of Ministerial-level agencies, or Heads of Government-affiliated Institutions that operate the state in their respective professions.
c) Foreigners whose parents, spouses, or children are Vietnamese nationals permanently resident in Vietnam must have spent at least 3 consecutive years temporarily residing in Vietnam.

Legal bases of procedures:
1. The Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, No.47/2014-QH13, issued 16 June 2014.
2. Ministry of Public Security’s Circular No.25/2021/TT-BTC dated April 7, 2021, prescribing the collection rates, collection regimes, payment, management, and use of fees in the field of exit and entrance, transit, and residence in Vietnam.
3. Ministry of Public Security’s Circular No.04/2015/TT-BCA dated January 5, 2015, offers entry, exit, and residence forms for foreigners in Vietnam.
4. Ministry of Public Security’s Circular No.31/2015/TT-BCA, issued July 6, 2015, guides the issuance of visas, temporary residence cards, immigration permits, and permanent resident settlements for foreigners in Vietnam.
Source: Ministry of Public Security