Why Global Employers Are Expanding to Vietnam

Over the past 18 months, VSHR has recorded a clear shift across the APAC region: a rapid increase in global companies expanding to Vietnam. Businesses from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the U.S., and Europe are accelerating their market entry.

The reasons go beyond cost efficiency. Vietnam now stands out for its high-quality talent pool, agile workforce, and remarkable adaptability—factors that global employers value during digital transformation and regional scaling.

However, despite the opportunity, many foreign companies encounter a recurring challenge:

Hiring the right talent in Vietnam is far more complex than expected.

Through hundreds of cross-border hiring projects, VSHR has identified three critical insights explaining why many international companies fail to hire correctly on their first attempt.

1. Talent Competition Moves Faster Than Your Office Setup

Many global companies still perceive Vietnam as an “emerging market with abundant labor.”
This assumption is not only outdated — it is dangerous.

The Reality

• Top-tier technical talent is limited and receives multiple offers quickly — often before you can even schedule an interview.
• You face invisible competitors in the market: established tech product companies, global MNCs, and fast-growing local players.
• Global brand names no longer guarantee interest. Vietnamese candidates increasingly value transparency, career growth, and a fast hiring process over a recognizable logo.

VSHR Insight: To hire top talent in Vietnam, your speed, clarity, and decision-making discipline matter more than your international reputation.

2. Cultural Misalignment Leads to High Offer Rejection Rates

INT’s data from 2024–2025 reveals a significant behavioral shift among Vietnamese professionals — especially in technology and specialized roles.

Top candidates now prioritize:

• Supportive, modern leadership styles
• Work–life balance
• A positive team culture
• A sense of purpose and long-term stability

Common Red Flags for Candidates

They hesitate or decline offers when:

• Interviews feel unstructured or unclear
• The company’s commitment to Vietnam seems uncertain
• The role appears to be “outsourced” rather than a strategic product or business position

VSHR Insight: Global companies often fail to localize their Employer Value Proposition (EVP). Without the right message tailored to Vietnamese talent psychology, even a strong offer can fall through at the last minute.

3. Cross-Border Roles Require Rare “Unicorn” Soft Skills

Recruiting for a local office is one thing. Hiring for a hybrid or remote cross-border team aligned with HQ in Singapore, Japan, or Europe is another challenge entirely.

Candidates must possess a unique combination of:

• Advanced English proficiency (clear articulation of complex ideas)
• Ownership mindset (proactive reporting and independent problem-solving)
• Self-management skills (discipline without micromanagement)

VSHR Insight: Finding candidates who combine strong technical expertise with global-level soft skills is significantly harder than filling multiple standard local positions. Traditional recruitment strategies simply do not work for these roles.

Why Global Employers Choose INT

At VSHR, we provide more than recruitment. We deliver local intelligence for global hiring success.

What We Offer

• Vietnamese Talent Insights: Deep understanding of candidate motivations and market behavior.
• Optimized Recruitment Flows: Faster, transparent, and localized hiring processes tailored for foreign employers.
• Cultural Bridging: We help you find candidates who are not only skilled — but globally aligned and culturally ready.
• Real-Time Market Data: Insights built from hundreds of successful placements across APAC.

Hiring in Vietnam is easy. Hiring the right people requires local intelligence — and that is what VSHR delivers.

Ready to Build Your High-Performance Team in Vietnam?

Expanding into Vietnam is a powerful strategic move. Don’t let hiring challenges slow your growth.

???? Contact VSHR via ([email protected] or [email protected])to discuss your hiring strategy and access Vietnam’s best talent.

(Insights for International Clients of VSHR – International Talent Agent)