In some cases, yes.
There are several categories of exemption.
An important example:
A foreigner married to a Vietnamese citizen and living in Vietnam may be exempt from a work permit.
However, the regulations provide for a notification procedure to the competent authority before starting work.
Other exemptions exist depending on professional status and duration of intervention.
For example, certain managers, executives, experts, or technicians working in Vietnam for less than 90 days in total during the calendar year may fall into an exempt category, with a notification obligation under the conditions set forth by the decree.
Therefore, never assume that:
“I don’t need a permit”
without having precisely identified the provision that applies to you.