Employment in Vietnam: Prospects for foreigners

Vietnam is a sunny Asian country bordered by Laos, Cambodia, China, and surrounded by the South China Sea. Over the past decade, the country has taken significant steps forward to strengthen its economy. Vietnam is developing its industry, modernizing production, and successfully attracting international investment. The poverty rate has decreased, with an unemployment rate of only 2–4%, despite a population approaching 100 million by 2023. Many migrants successfully find employment in the local labor market. In this article, we will discuss salary levels, prospects for foreigners, and the documents required for employment in Vietnam.

Employment opportunities for foreigners

For official employment in Vietnam for more than 3 months, foreigners must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. The application can be submitted directly in the country within three months of arrival, or in advance while residing outside Vietnam.

Skilled foreign professionals can expect success in fields such as IT, construction, energy, finance, and English teaching.

IT offers many opportunities for new professionals, especially in software development, web interfaces, and data analysis. The country is actively attracting investment in the IT sector.

The construction industry also offers good prospects for foreigners. New residential and commercial properties are being built in Vietnam, and infrastructure for tourism and industrial enterprises is being developed.

Teaching English remains in demand, and there is a growing need for qualified teachers from other countries. Many schools, language centers, and universities have openings for foreign teachers.

Finally, the financial and legal sectors also offer opportunities for foreign professionals. Those with expertise can seek employment in banks, insurance companies, consulting firms, and law firms where knowledge of international standards and practices is required.

Unskilled workers can also find employment in Vietnam. The most accessible field is tourism. The country is very popular among travelers due to its picturesque beaches, cultural attractions, and unique cuisine. In just the first 9 months of the current year, the number of foreign visitors reached 8.9 million, which is 4.7 times more than the same period in 2022.

The tourism industry is actively developing, and foreigners are working in hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tour companies.

Requirements for employees in Vietnam

There are no strict criteria for employment, but applicants must be of legal age, healthy, and have no criminal record in their home country or in Vietnam. These are the main requirements.

Specialists have additional requirements, including:

A university degree.
At least 5 years of work experience in the relevant field. Priority is given to managers, supervisors, and skilled technical staff.

In addition, an official job offer from a local company is required. Preparation of documents, including their translation into Vietnamese and notarization, is mandatory. In most cases, the employer will assist the applicant in preparing and submitting the necessary documents to the local authorities.

Documents for official work in Vietnam

To obtain a work permit, you must submit the following documents:

A completed application in Vietnamese or English.
A copy of your passport.
3 color photos (4x6 cm) taken within the last 6 months.
A job offer and a written request from the employer.
A medical certificate from a recognized medical institution, valid for at least one year.
Copies of your diploma and other qualification documents.
A certificate of no criminal record from both your home country and Vietnam (if you've been in the country for more than one month).

The processing time for the application at the Ministry of Labor is usually not more than 7 working days. If your application is approved, you'll receive a work permit. This permit allows you to work for up to 2 years. If an extension is needed, you should apply at least 30 days before the previous document expires. Please note: An extension of the permit is only possible if there is no possibility to hire a local specialist for the vacant position.

Sometimes a work permit is not required. For example, foreigners with a bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of work experience may work without a permit for up to 30 days and a total of no more than 90 days per year. A work permit is also not required for the transfer of employees within the same company in certain sectors, including IT, business, education, construction, healthcare, transportation, and tourism.

No permit is required for owners/managers of Vietnamese companies, licensed lawyers, international media workers, teachers working under international agreements with the participation of foreign embassies. However, all other requirements and procedures related to visas and stay in the country must be observed.

Where to find job opportunities?

If you are in your home country, you can search the Internet for job opportunities. Browse forums and communicate with people who have worked or are working in Vietnam. We also recommend registering on the professional social network LinkedIn.

Most job opportunities for foreign professionals in Vietnam are offered by international companies with offices throughout the country. Professionals typically seek to build their careers in major cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Here are some popular Vietnamese recruitment websites:

Vietnamworks.com
Jobstreet.vn
Carelink.vn

You can also take advantage of international resources:

Learn4good.com
Monster.com.vn

Another option is to contact a recruitment agency, preferably an international one. For example: vnmanpower.com.

Salary levels in Vietnam

Currently, the cost of living in Vietnam is lower than in developed Western and Asian countries. Even though you can earn much more in South Korea or Japan, you should also consider property prices and the cost of living. Living in Vietnam (buying and renting housing, food, transportation, entertainment) is much cheaper than in these countries. It's also worth noting that over the past 15 years, the government has reduced the poverty rate from 58% to 14% and successfully addressed the issue of unemployment.

The average salary in Vietnam in 2023 will be around €300. Foreign professionals tend to have well-paid positions that require high qualifications and can expect a monthly salary of 500 to 1,000 euros or more.

Prestigious jobs for foreigners are mainly offered by international companies, where you can earn over €800–1000 per month. These positions are often in management, technical specialties, and health care, especially for dentists.

As for the tourism sector, you can try roles such as tour guide, diving instructor or hotel guest relations manager. Opportunities abound. Focus on popular resorts such as Nha Trang and Danang. Earnings in these roles can start at 300 Euros and go higher depending on the position.

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