New expats in Vietnam often default to teaching English, thinking it’s their only option. In reality, there are many opportunities to pursue careers they’re more passionate about.
Teaching English in Vietnam
Of course, some expats in Saigon are perfectly suited for teaching English and genuinely enjoy it. They’re in the minority, however.
It is generally easy for most native English-speakers or even Europeans with English as a second language to get a job teaching English. This is because most English centers are eager to hire as many Westerners as possible to teach, regardless of whether that person has qualifications or not.
The starting pay is also quite good (~$1500-2500/month) for a native-speaking or European English teacher. The reasons why getting a decent-paying ESL job is so easy could take up a whole post, but just know that the demand for English teachers in Vietnam is huge.
The catch: many of the teachers here who get lured in with that low barrier to entry don’t really enjoy the job and would love to do something that hews closer to their own interests or specialties. Sadly, they often don’t realize that doing something else is an option.
The Criteria of a Job for Foreigners in Vietnam
By law, Vietnamese companies can only employ and sponsor work permits for employees who fill a position that local employees cannot fill. For example:
- Senior positions requiring a level of technical expertise not taught in Vietnam, especially in an area the Vietnamese government has identified as having skill shortages like IT or textile manufacturing.
- A position that involves constant interaction with international audiences and requires native language proficiency in something other than Vietnamese.
- Jobs in industries that require knowledge of global trends, like mass marketing or branding.
- Most commonly, teaching a foreign language as a native speaker.
The most common and easiest job for foreigners to obtain in VN is an English teaching job, but many foreigners do not realize that there are many other job opportunities in VN for those with the appropriate qualifications.
Advantages of Foreigners in Vietnam’s Job Market
Just by virtue of being raised in another culture and now living in Vietnam, you gain several competitive advantages in the Vietnam job market that lots of employers will look for, such as:
Native English Fluency
English is the most-spoken language in the world, and most of the wealthy countries Vietnam has dealings with use it as a primary or secondary language. Because of that, companies in written- or spoken-word industries like news sites or movie casting agencies generally have some roles reserved for native English speakers.
If you’re good with self-promotion, you can also get a remote job producing content about life in Vietnam or any other topic you’re passionate and knowledgeable about.
Understanding of Western Standards
Vietnamese standards of comfort, customer service, and professional behavior are different from those in most Western countries. It is a foreign culture, after all, with its own way of doing things. But Vietnamese companies that work with non-Vietnamese customers still need to provide their clientele with service at the standards they want.
Foreign employees can help institute and maintain those Western standards, which is why companies in the tourism & hospitality or international business sectors often have at least one position reserved for a foreigner.
Understanding of the “Foreigner Experience”
Even if a Vietnamese person has intimate knowledge of foreign culture and is totally fluent in English, they can’t truly understand the experience of being a non-Vietnamese person in Vietnam. For example:
- Visa and residency challenges
- Overcharging due to appearance
- Cultural adaptation
- Healthcare access
- Culture shock in general
- The list goes on…
Having a foreigner who can talk to non-Vietnamese customers about the “Foreigner Experience” in an empathetic manner is valuable.
Most Common Types of Jobs for Foreigners in Vietnam
Because of all the competitive advantages and job criteria discussed above, the most common sectors that employ foreigners in Vietnam are:
Hospitality
Hotels, resorts and F&B venues often hire foreigners for senior management or customer service positions, where perfect English and fluency in foreign culture is essential. This applies to senior chefs too, particularly in restaurants that specialize in a particular international cuisine.
Sales
Some companies with foreign customers look for sales reps from the markets they target, because they share the same language and culture with their clientele.
NGO work
Some NGOs hire foreign staff for their senior or more specialized positions, including massive organizations like UNICEF.
Education (but not just teaching English!)
Foreign school teachers specializing in particular subjects are in demand here, as are university lecturers. You need to be just as qualified and talented as you would back home, as competition is high.
Journalism
If you work for a specific media company which has a bureau here, you can be issued a permit to report for them from Vietnam.
Manufacturing & Logistics
International manufacturing companies here with overseas clients often hire senior employees from their country, because of language and culture.
Where to Look for Jobs in Vietnam
Where should you start your job search?
No matter what country you’re in, LinkedIn is a great social networking site for job-seekers. Lots of professional recruiters are on there and routinely search its user database for profiles that match the requirements for the given job.
Just setting up a profile on LinkedIn that plays up your skills is a way to enter the job market in Vietnam, and searching through job offers from Vietnamese companies using LinkedIn is easy.
In Western countries, Facebook is usually reserved for news and social interactions. In Vietnam, businesses usually use Facebook as their main platform for interacting with customers or recruiting talent, too.
That’s why a great way to look for jobs in Vietnam is going to English language Facebook groups (preferably something specializing in your field) and posting your credentials and desired position. Vietnamese hiring managers often visit such groups to search for candidates.
Networking Events & Job Exhibitions
Landing a great job in Vietnam becomes a lot easier if you befriend the right person who can get in a good word for you. That’s why socializing face-to-face with employers at networking events or job exhibitions in Vietnam is a good way to find a job, especially if you have credentials in a highly specialized field.
VietnamWorks
If you have enough experience in your field to be considered for senior management, VietnamWorks is a valuable resource. It has a relatively small job database compared to LinkedIn, but its postings also have a lot less qualified competition since it is a locally run site and not as well-known internationally.
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