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Employment Rules for Foreigners in Vietnam: An Easy Guide

Welcome!

Vietnam is booming, and more foreigners than ever are coming here for work in all kinds of industries. Whether you’re planning a new adventure or already landed a job, knowing the rules will help you stay safe—and enjoy your experience.

At Xplore Vietnam, we’ve helped hundreds of expats and international businesses handle work in Vietnam. We’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t. So we created this simple, step-by-step guide just for you.

Here’s what you need to know:

  1. How to Get a Legal Job
  2. How to Work Safely (and Follow the Rules)
  3. How to Leave Your Job the Right Way

Our mission? To give you clear, trustworthy info so you can feel confident every step of the way. Let’s get started!



  1. Getting a Job in Vietnam:

How to Work Here Legally

Thinking about starting a new job in Vietnam? Great choice! But you’ll need to follow some important legal steps. Here’s your quick, practical guide.

Get Your Work Permit

Almost everyone from abroad needs a work permit to work in Vietnam (unless you fit certain exceptions like short-term teaching, internal company transfers, running a representative office, or if you’re married to a Vietnamese citizen).


You’ll need:

  • A university degree that fits your job
  • At least 3 years of work experience in your field
  • A recent medical check (from the past 12 months at an approved hospital in Vietnam)
  • A police background check (from your home country—and from Vietnam if you’ve lived here)
  • Official, legalized copies of your degrees and certificates


Legal basis: Labor Code 2019 (Articles 151–157), Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP

Some short-term jobs (less than 30 days) may be exempt—always double-check this with the local labor department!

*The work permit is employer-specific and valid for up to 2 years. If you change employers, a new work permit is required.

Can you have more than one job?

Yes, you can hold more than one valid work permit at the same time, if:

  • Each job has a different employer
  • Each role is clearly defined in your contract
  • Each application is approved separately But remember, every permit needs a separate full application.