Top Cities in Vietnam for Hiring Remote Talent (With Salary Benchmarks)

Admin Team September 15, 2024

Where to find the best remote developers, designers, marketers, and more — and what to budget.

If you’re a U.S. employer or startup exploring offshore hiring in Vietnam, you’re already ahead of the curve. Vietnam is fast becoming Southeast Asia’s most promising hub for remote tech, creative, and operations talent — and knowing where to hire (and what to pay) can help you build smarter, leaner global teams.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

The top cities in Vietnam for remote hiring
Local strengths and talent specializations
2025 salary benchmarks for key roles
Tips for choosing the right city for your needs

🇻🇳 Why Vietnam Is a Global Hiring Hotspot

Vietnam’s remote talent market has exploded in recent years, thanks to:

✅ A young, tech-savvy population
✅ Strong university pipeline (especially in STEM)
✅ High English proficiency in urban centers
✅ Excellent internet and remote-work infrastructure
✅ Cost-effective salaries — often 50–70% less than U.S. equivalents

But not all cities in Vietnam are created equal. Each has unique strengths depending on your hiring goals.

🏙️ Top Cities in Vietnam for Hiring Remote Talent

1. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)

The tech and innovation capital. As Vietnam’s largest city, HCMC is home to top universities, most of the country’s major startups and international tech firms, and a massive talent pool in software development, design, and digital marketing.

Best for hiring: Full-stack developers, Product designers (UI/UX), Digital marketers (SEO, paid media), and Customer success and support roles.

Average monthly salaries (USD):

Role	Mid-Level	Senior
Software Engineer	$1,200–$2,000	$2,000–$3,200
UI/UX Designer	$1,000–$1,800	$1,800–$2,500
Digital Marketer	$800–$1,500	$1,500–$2,200
Support Specialist	$600–$1,000	$1,000–$1,500

2. Hanoi

The academic and government hub. Hanoi boasts strong universities and a deep pool of highly educated professionals. It’s also the center of government-related IT and finance, leading to a more structured and formal work culture.

Best for hiring: Backend engineers, Data analysts & BI specialists, Finance & accounting professionals, Legal & compliance support.

Average monthly salaries (USD):

Role	Mid-Level	Senior
Backend Developer	$1,100–$1,900	$1,900–$2,800
Data Analyst	$1,000–$1,600	$1,600–$2,400
Accountant	$700–$1,200	$1,200–$1,800

3. Da Nang

Vietnam’s rising remote work paradise. With a laid-back lifestyle, lower living costs, and solid infrastructure, Da Nang is attracting remote professionals and digital nomads from across Vietnam and the world. It’s a great place to find loyal, lifestyle-focused employees who are likely to stay longer.

Best for hiring: Frontend developers, QA testers, Graphic designers, Virtual assistants.

Average monthly salaries (USD):

Role	Mid-Level	Senior
Frontend Developer	$900–$1,500	$1,500–$2,000
QA Tester	$700–$1,300	$1,300–$1,800
Virtual Assistant	$500–$800	$800–$1,200

4. Can Tho, Hue, and Emerging Tier-2 Cities

Lower-cost talent with growing skills. These cities don’t have the same depth of talent or English proficiency as the big three, but they offer lower salary expectations, strong loyalty and retention, and increasing remote-work experience.

Best for: Entry-level roles, Data entry, Admin & back-office support, Content moderation. Salaries can be 20–30% lower than in Hanoi or HCMC.

💰 Quick Salary Reference Chart (2025 Benchmarks)

Role	HCMC	Hanoi	Da Nang
Full-Stack Dev (Mid)	$1,500	$1,400	$1,200
UI/UX Designer (Mid)	$1,300	$1,200	$1,000
Digital Marketer (Mid)	$1,200	$1,100	$1,000
QA Engineer (Mid)	$1,100	$1,000	$950
Customer Support Rep	$800	$750	$700

🧠 Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ho Chi Minh City if you want fast-scaling tech talent, startup experience, and top English fluency.
Choose Hanoi if you need analytical roles, finance/compliance strength, or more traditional structure.
Choose Da Nang if you prioritize retention, affordability, and a relaxed work culture.
Choose Tier-2 cities if you’re looking for loyal entry-level hires and support roles at a lower cost.

✅ Pro Tips for Hiring in Vietnam

Use an Employer of Record (EOR) to handle legal employment, payroll, and benefits — without opening a local entity.
Offer remote perks like flexible hours, holiday bonuses (13th month salary), and online training.
Hire in clusters — multiple hires in one city can create community and lower churn.
Work with local experts (like VietAssist) to source and vet top talent.