Can a VIZIO smart Tv work as a monitor for My new Mac mini??? If not, exactly what kind of monitor do I need???

One can use a TV as a monitor. However, TVs are designed for constantly moving images and and static items like text. As a result, text doesn't always appear all that great or anything like artwork with fine lines. Some call it blurry others just say it just doesn't look right. All this tends to get amplified with the inexpensive lines of TVs.

Computer monitors however, have been specifically designed for computer work.

As to which computer monitor "you need" depends on what you do on your computer, what you intended "workstation" is going to be like, and of course the size of your wallet. With that said, pretty much any computer monitor will work with a MacMini. Best thing to do, is go to various electronics stores and actually see what the displays look like and decide on one that fits your needs and tastes. Depending on your use and size of desired display, FHD (1920x1080) might be good enough or you may want a QHD (2560x1440) or maybe even a 4K display.

I have an LG 55UN6950 that I use as a monitor for my M1 Mac mini. It is a 4K 55inch display. I connect with HDMI. At default resolution the text and icons are too small for my old eyes. They can be enlarged but the menu bar is way too small and is unchangeable. I use the next to largest text size in Scaled and everything is perfect for me.

if the tv have a hdmi port then I don't see why not

i would connect it and use it's remote to make the hdmi port connected to the mac mini the active input source