Guide · Hiring
How to hire employees in Vietnam.
The legal ways a foreign company can hire in Vietnam, the steps from offer to first payslip, what the employee must provide and what it costs.
Updated 22 October 2026 · General information, not legal or tax advice
Short answer
How can a foreign company hire employees in Vietnam?
A foreign company can hire employees in Vietnam in two lawful ways: set up its own Vietnamese company, which typically takes one to three months, or hire through an employer of record (EOR), a Vietnamese company that employs the person on its behalf. Engaging someone as an overseas “contractor” while directing their daily work is treated as employment under Article 13 of the Labour Code. Through an EOR, a Vietnamese national can usually start as soon as the labour contract is signed and they are registered for insurance and tax; a foreign national starts once their work permit is issued. The employer pays the salary plus about 23.5% in statutory contributions, and the EOR fee — US$99–199 per employee a month plus VAT with Nhân Kiệt.
Step by step
Hiring through an EOR, from offer to first payslip.
- Agree the offer with your candidate: role, gross monthly salary, allowances, start date and probation.
- Request a quote with those details. The quote shows the full monthly cost and the legal route for the role.
- Sign one service agreement with the EOR. It covers this hire and every hire after.
- The EOR signs the labour contract with the employee, in Vietnamese and English, and registers them for social insurance and personal income tax.
- For a foreign hire, the EOR applies for the work permit and temporary residence card.
- Payroll every month: you receive one invoice; the employee is paid in dong with a payslip.
Documents
What the employee provides.
- Citizen ID card (CCCD) for a Vietnamese national, or passport for a foreign national.
- Personal tax code, or the details needed to register one.
- Social insurance number if they have contributed before.
- Registered hospital for health insurance.
- A bank account in their own name for salary.
- Details of dependants, if they want the ₫6,200,000 monthly tax deduction for each.
- For foreign nationals: health certificate, criminal-record certificate and proof of qualifications for the work permit.
Key rules
Rules to build into the offer.
| Contract types | Indefinite term, or fixed term of up to 36 months |
|---|---|
| Probation | Up to 60 days for jobs needing a college degree or higher; pay at least 85% |
| Working time | Up to 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week |
| Minimum wage, Region I | ₫5,310,000 a month |
| Annual leave | 12 working days, plus 12 paid public holidays in 2026 |
| Employer contributions | About 23.5% of salary |
Use the employer cost calculator to see the monthly cost and the employee’s take-home pay for any salary.
Questions
Hiring in Vietnam: FAQ
Can a foreign company hire in Vietnam without a local entity?
Yes, through an employer of record, which employs the person under its own Vietnamese registration while you direct their work.
How long does it take to hire someone in Vietnam?
Through an EOR, a Vietnamese national can usually start within days of signing. A foreign national starts after the work permit, issued up to 10 working days after a complete dossier.
What does it cost to hire one employee in Vietnam?
The gross salary plus about 23.5% in employer contributions, plus the EOR fee. On ₫30,000,000 gross that is ₫37,050,000 a month before the fee.
Can I hire just one person?
Yes. One service agreement covers the first hire and every hire after it.
Hiring in Vietnam? We handle all of this as your employer.
Nhân Kiệt employs your team, runs payroll, insurance, tax and work permits. Fee: US$99–199 per employee a month, plus VAT.
Request a quote