Working in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City holds a lot of opportunities for expats and even locals in Vietnam. The city drives most of the country’s economy, and it is also known as the business centre of Vietnam.  

If you would like to work in this country, finding a job in its largest and most developed city, HCMC, is your best bet.

Biggest Industries

As we mentioned earlier, there are several job opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City, and it can be for almost any industry, but more so in the IT, Engineering, and Construction Industries. There is also quite a high demand for English teachers in the city for local executives and even some university students who would like to improve their English for business and further education.

Working Conditions

The work culture in Vietnam is very different from western work cultures in many ways. First, they have the habit of starting the day very early; most establishments and offices open at 7am and the day ends at 5pm. Second, lunch breaks are a big thing in this country, and more so in HCMC, as most shops also close during lunch time. Overtime pay, health and social services are mandatory for all employees, and monthly contributions for your health and social service benefits will be deducted from your salary.

Regarding taxes, only foreign workers who are paid 8 Million Dong (US$ 360) or more a month are subject to taxes from 10% to 50% depending on your exact salary.

Job Sources

Finding a job online before you arrive in the country is the best way to be an expat in Ho Chi Minh City. Websites such as: 

• Vietnam Works
• Vietnam Online

You can also check the classified ads in the Nguoi Vet paper every Thursday for more job opportunities.