Overview
Vietnam has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for offshore hiring in Southeast Asia. With a young, tech-savvy population of over 100 million, a rapidly growing IT sector, and costs significantly lower than Singapore or Hong Kong, Vietnam offers an exceptional value proposition for companies looking to build remote engineering, design, and creative teams.
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the primary talent hubs, with Da Nang emerging as a third option for companies seeking lower costs and a more relaxed lifestyle for their teams. The country produces over 50,000 IT graduates annually, and the government has made significant investments in STEM education and technology infrastructure.
Salary Benchmarks (USD/Year)
Junior vs. Senior salary ranges for key roles in Vietnam.
- Junior
- Senior
Employer Cost Breakdown
Mandatory employer contributions as a percentage of gross salary.
Employer Contribution
~21.5% of gross salary
Notice Period
30-45 days
Annual Leave
12 days minimum + 10 public holidays
EOR Availability
Very common — Deel has strong local presence
IT Graduate Talent Pipeline
Annual IT/tech graduate output showing the growing talent supply in Vietnam.
Talent Quality & Insights
Vietnam's IT workforce is highly technical, with strong skills in React, Node.js, Python, and Java. Vietnamese developers are known for their strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and willingness to learn. English proficiency is generally good in tech roles but may require assessment for customer-facing positions.
Pros & Cons
✓Advantages
- • 60-70% cost savings vs. Singapore/HK for tech roles
- • Large and growing pool of software developers (50,000+ IT grads/year)
- • Strong STEM education system (HUST, VNU, FPT University)
- • Favorable timezone for APAC companies (GMT+7)
- • Young, ambitious workforce with high retention when managed well
- • Government support for IT sector growth and foreign investment
!Considerations
- • English proficiency can be inconsistent for non-tech roles
- • Complex labor law and social insurance requirements
- • Currency (VND) can be volatile against USD
- • Management style differences require cultural awareness
- • Limited talent pool for very senior/executive roles