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Aug 26, 2019 / 10:59

Foreign workers in Vietnam: more experts, fewer engineers

Demand for experts is rising among multinational firms working in Vietnam following the escalating US-Sino trade tensions.

Vietnam is currently home to more than 91,000 foreign workers coming from more than 100 countries and territories, with a decrease in number of engineers, local media reported, citing the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). 
 
Vietnam tops Southeast Asian countries for desirable working place for expatriates. Photo: Navigos
Vietnam tops Southeast Asian countries for desirable working place for expatriates. Photo: Navigos

Of the total, the number of engineers is falling while that of experts is rising thanks to the expansion of multinational firms.

Under Vietnam’s law, the country allows the recruitment of foreign workers for four positions namely experts, executives, managers, and engineers. 

The number of foreign employees working in Vietnam is on the rise over the past years thanks to Vietnam’s deepened integration into the global economy, said Phung Quoc Vuong from the MOLISA’s Department of Employment. He noted that the figures are likely to rise in the coming years following the signing of free trade agreements over the last few years. 

Eligible foreign workers in Vietnam are those with working contracts signed in Vietnam, appointed to Vietnam by parent companies, and with economic contracts. 

Vietnam – the most-desired destination for foreign workers 

Vietnam tops Southeast Asian countries for the most desirable destination for expatriates to live and work, according to Navigos Group – leading provider of recruitment services in Vietnam.

In a survey conducted by Navigos, up to 30% of people chose Vietnam for desirable place to work, followed by Singapore with 24%, and Thailand 17%. 

VietnamWorks, a member of Navigos Group, predicted that the demand for foreign candidates will continue to increase more than 20% each year.

Navigos attributed rising foreign direct investment (FDI) to the factors making Vietnam the most desirable destination for expats. 

Indeed, FDI commitments to the country have been growing thanks to its dynamic economic development, favorable geographical conditions, stable political system and many new free trade agreements. 

Obviously, Vietnam is now an ideal destination for FDI businesses, said Navigos in its survey. 

Meanwhile, domestic human resources have not yet met standards in terms of both quantity and quality. This prompts more demand for expatriate candidates. 

From the perspective of human resource management, a diversity of nationality and race in the workplace also contributes to improving work efficiency and creative thinking in the workplace environment, according to Navigos.