Employment opportunities for foreigners in Vietnam are becoming increasingly diverse and abundant, opening up many attractive career prospects for international candidates. Vietnam’s economy is experiencing strong growth, attracting significant foreign investment and creating a high demand for qualified human resources – especially foreign experts.
Let’s explore some of the exciting career opportunities that Vietnam offers foreigners in this article by Tân Văn Lang!
According to the new regulations on work permit issuance – Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP (effective from 07/08/2025) [1] :
Processing time: Work permits will now be issued within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete application. If rejected, the authorities must provide a written explanation within 3 working days.
Authority: Provincial People’s Committees are responsible for granting new, reissued, extended, and revoked work permits. For companies operating in multiple provinces, the responsibility lies with the location of the head office.
Simplified documents: The requirement to justify the need for foreign labor has been merged into the same application package for a work permit (Form No. 03).
With over 20 years of experience supporting foreigners, Tân Văn Lang highlights these key points:
Foreign employees must declare and pay personal income tax in accordance with Vietnamese law.
Employment contracts must be in written form and comply with the Labor Code.
Contracts should be translated into Vietnamese and properly notarized.
Key clauses to review include:
Salary and payment methods.
Working hours.
Health and social insurance.
Rights and obligations of both parties.
Foreigners are entitled to participate in Vietnam’s health and social insurance schemes.
Foreign workers can find high-paying positions in technology, marketing, and management.
>>> Read more:Airport Fast Track in Vietnam 2025 – Skip the Lines, Save Time
FAQs
Which type of visa should foreigners apply for to work in Vietnam?
Business Visa (DN1, DN2): For experts, managers, skilled workers at Vietnamese companies.
Work Visa (LĐ1, LĐ2): For general workers, valid up to 2 years.
Investor Visa (ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4): For foreign investors and foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam.
What are the penalties for working without a work permit?
Administrative fines: 15 – 25 million VND.
Deportation: In serious cases, the foreign worker may be expelled.
What is the average salary for foreigners in Vietnam?
Depends on several factors:
Industry: Finance, IT, banking tend to offer higher salaries.
Position: Managers/experts earn more than regular staff.
Experience: Senior professionals earn more than newcomers.
Education: Higher degrees (Master’s, PhD) often mean higher pay.
In addition to salary, foreigners may enjoy benefits such as health/social insurance, housing allowance, and transport subsidies.
Do foreigners have to pay taxes in Vietnam?
Yes. Foreign residents must pay personal income tax on income earned both inside and outside Vietnam.
This article provides essential information on jobs for foreigners in Vietnam. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Tân Văn Lang at 0907.874.240 - 028.7777.7979 for quick support. We wish you success!
