Specialist hire
Technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, education and international services value experience that is hard to source locally.
Vietnam labour market · 2026 brief
Working and moving to Vietnam
Vietnam has a large, fast-changing labour market — but the best route for a European is usually a specialist role, an internal transfer, or income connected to an international market.
The short answer
Yes, Europeans can work in Vietnam, normally with an employer-sponsored work permit. Do not move on the assumption that a tourist or e-visa authorises employment: it does not. Start with the role and sponsor, then build your residence, insurance and housing plan around it.
53.7mpeople in the labour force
₫9.0maverage monthly employee income
2.22%working-age unemployment
29.7%workers with degree/certificate
National snapshot, first half of 2026. These are whole-market figures, not foreign-professional salary benchmarks. National Statistics Office ↗
Career strategy
Four realistic routes into the market
Internal transfer
A transfer through a company already operating in Vietnam often gives the cleanest path to sponsorship, benefits and a defined role.
International or remote income
This can protect European-level earnings, but immigration, tax and employer-compliance questions still need proper advice.
Founder or investor
Building a company can create a longer-term route, but capital, licensing, accounting and substance matter. Property ownership alone gives no right to work.
Where international experience travels best
Advanced manufacturing & supply chainSoftware, data & digital transformationRenewable energy & engineeringFinance, professional services & complianceInternational educationHospitality, tourism & premium services
How to think about salary
Local salaries are priced for the local economy. The national employee average was about ₫9 million per month in the first half of 2026, while specialist and foreign-hire packages can sit far above it. Compare the complete package — net pay, housing, insurance, school fees, flights, bonus and tax support — rather than converting base salary alone into euros.
Decree 219/2025
Work permit: the practical sequence
01
Role & sponsor
The Vietnamese employer defines why a foreign worker is needed and prepares the application.
02
Evidence
Expect role-specific proof of experience or qualifications, plus health and criminal-record documents with the required legalisation.
03
Permit decision
Decree 219/2025 states a decision within 10 working days after a valid dossier is received.
04
Residence & onboarding
The permit or exemption supports the next immigration and employment steps. Keep job title, employer and location aligned with the approval.
Official Vietnamese Government summary; check individual exemptions and document requirements. Government of Vietnam ↗
Start a real job search
Use several channels; senior international roles often move through networks and specialist recruiters before they reach a public board.
FAQ
Can I work in Vietnam on an e-visa?
No. Entry permission is not work authorisation. In most cases your employer must secure a work permit or confirm an exemption.
Do I need to speak Vietnamese?
Not for every international role, but it materially improves integration and widens your options. English is common in multinational teams; Vietnamese matters more in local-facing work.
Does buying a home give me residency?
No. Property and immigration are separate systems. A purchase does not create a right to live or work in Vietnam.
Should I find work before moving?
Usually yes. A sponsor-backed offer makes immigration, insurance, housing and banking decisions much easier to sequence.
Primary sources & next checks: National Statistics Office · Government work-permit brief
A real person for your Vietnam questions
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