Vietnam has proven itself as a stable, rapidly developing country, with high growth rates of international business, as well as numerous prospects for employment of foreigners. Find out what documents an expat needs to get to move to the country, as well as where to look for a job

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In 2024, Vietnam entered the Top 20 most attractive countries for expats, because the country has a high level of security, which is a key factor for expats. Also, the cost of living, employment prospects and wages are quite high compared to other Asian countries. All these factors mean that Vietnam offers more and more favorable conditions for expats.

We talk about the specifics of employment and visa requirements in our new material.

Advantages and disadvantages of moving to Vietnam in 2024 in this article.

Requirements for applicants who wish to move to Vietnam for work

Foreigners who meet the following requirements can obtain the right to issue a work visa to Vietnam:

- Age – older than 18 years.

- You will work in Vietnam in a managerial or executive position or as an expert who has the necessary technical skills and knowledge for the job.

- You do not have a criminal record and you have passed a health check.

- You have at least 3 years of experience in a managerial position.

- You have an employment contract with a company in Vietnam.

- The company that hired you can prove that it offered this vacancy to Vietnamese citizens, but was unable to hire an employee for this position.

What documents must a foreigner prepare to work in Vietnam?

Foreigners who want to work legally in Vietnam must obtain a work visa and work permit in Vietnam.

Stage 1 – Issuance of a work permit in Vietnam

It is the work permit that allows you to work legally in Vietnam for more than three months.

Your employer must apply for a work permit to the office of the Ministry of Labour, Disability and Society of Vietnam.

A work permit in Vietnam is issued for up to 12 months and can be extended.

- Package of documents for obtaining a work permit in Vietnam:

1. Health certificate – You must obtain a health certificate in your country.

2. Certificate of no criminal record - issued by the authorities of your country within the last six months.

3. Confirmation of professional training - documents from former employers that confirm existing experience.

4. Copies of your qualifications and degrees.

5. Passport size photo.

6. Application form for a work permit in Vietnam.

7. Employment contract.

8. Permission of the Committee, which allows the organization to hire foreign workers.

9. Certificate of enterprise registration.

Importantly! All necessary documents must be translated into Vietnamese and certified by a competent notary.

Stage 2 – issuing a work visa to Vietnam

You must apply for a Vietnam work visa at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country. It can also be done upon arrival if you enter Vietnam through one of the following entry points: Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Da Nang Airport in Da Nang, Cat Bi Airport in Haiphong and Cam Ranh Airport in Nha Trang.

- Package of documents for obtaining a work visa to Vietnam:

1. A passport with at least six more months of validity.

2. Passport size photo

3. Questionnaire for a visa to Vietnam.

4. Sponsor letter/entry permit.

5. Letter of invitation or letter of approval.

6. Receipt for payment of the visa fee.

To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.

How long is a working visa for Vietnam valid?

A work visa for Vietnam can be issued for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or one year, and for single or multiple entries.

However, once you have received a work permit, you can apply for a Temporary Residence Card, which replaces a visa. They can be issued for a period of one to five years and serve as a multiple-entry permit, allowing you to exit and re-enter Vietnam without a visa for the duration of its validity.

What specialists are in short supply in Vietnam?

Popular vacancies in Vietnam include:

- Entertainment workers (DJs, dancers, bartenders).

- Senior managers.

- IT specialists.

- Engineers.

- Workers of the mining industry.

- Specialists in the field of energy.

- English teachers.

- Water sports instructors (diving, kite surfing).

- Guides.

- Hotel and restaurant business managers.

Most vacancies for foreigners can be found in international companies and organizations.

Where to look for a job in Vietnam

- Vietnam Works - the most popular site for finding a job in this country;

- Career Link - a little less well known, but not a bad resource;

- Job Street - an international job search site;

- Tuoitre - an advertisement board that often features jobs from businesses;

- Learn4Good - a resource used more often by those wishing to go abroad for an internship, but also suitable for those who want to get an internship in one of the Vietnamese firms with further employment, or for people looking to go for a short-term job to gain new professional experience.

Vietnam is a small country in Southeast Asia with a rapidly developing economy. Currently, Vietnam has a population of more than 95 million people, and the working population is increasing by approximately 1 million annually. The unemployment rate in Vietnam is only 2%, which is a remarkable indicator even for developed countries. That is why, when choosing a country to move abroad, be sure to pay attention to this state.

As a reminder, read about the specifics of employment in Hong Kong in 2024 in this article. Read about the peculiarities of employment in Luxembourg for citizens of African and Asian countries here.