Can foreigners legally work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam?

Legal work is possible if an employer sponsors your work visa — but first you need to find a company willing to go through the process.

Based on friends' experience, most foreigners working locally do so without an official employment contract — employers avoid formal hiring due to mandatory insurance contributions and income tax.

To hire a foreigner officially, a company must justify why a local candidate can't fill the role — so many employers skip the process entirely.

Instead of formal employment, some employers just cover the cost of a visa run — a regular border crossing to renew a tourist visa.

Whether you can find legal work depends heavily on your qualifications and whether an employer specifically needs a foreign specialist for the role.