Vietnam continues to attract foreign professionals, teachers and entrepreneurs, and Hanoi in particular has a steady demand for international talent in education, manufacturing, technology and services. Finding a role is only half of the process, though. Working legally means meeting the conditions of the Labour Code 2019, holding a work permit (or a confirmed exemption) under the current rules, and entering on the right visa before applying for a temporary residence card. This guide covers the five things foreigners most often ask us about before moving to Hanoi for work, with the regulations updated to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, which replaced the old Decree 152/2020/ND-CP in August 2025.
1. Popular jobs for foreigners in Vietnam
Teaching English and other subjects
Teaching remains the most common entry point for foreigners working in Vietnam. Language centres, private and bilingual schools, international schools and universities recruit foreign teachers throughout the year, with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offering the widest choice. Employers increasingly expect a university degree plus a recognised teaching certificate such as TEFL, TESOL or CELTA, and international schools usually require a teaching licence from your home country. Pay varies widely by employer, qualifications and hours, so compare offers and confirm the school will sponsor your work permit.
Manufacturing, engineering and corporate roles
Foreign direct investment, much of it in manufacturing, keeps creating demand for experienced managers, engineers, quality specialists and executives, especially in the industrial zones around Hanoi, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong. Multinationals, banks and professional firms also hire foreigners for leadership and specialist roles. Technology is another growth area: software development, data, digital transformation and newer fields such as AI and semiconductors are all sectors where foreign expertise is sought, and Decree 219/2025 specifically eases requirements for experts in several priority fields.
Freelancing, creative work and remote jobs
Some foreigners work as freelancers in design, writing, translation or content creation, or appear in commercials and media productions. Be careful: work for a Vietnamese employer or client generally falls under the work permit rules, and a tourist visa or e-visa does not allow you to work, so get professional advice on your visa and tax position before relying on freelance income.
2. How to find jobs for foreigners in Vietnam
Most professional roles are advertised online. LinkedIn is the main channel for corporate and management positions, while local recruitment platforms such as VietnamWorks, CareerBuilder Vietnam, CareerLink and TopCV list thousands of vacancies, many with English-language filters. Teaching jobs are widely posted on specialist job boards and in expat community groups, and international schools usually recruit through dedicated education recruitment fairs and agencies months ahead of the school year.
Networking matters just as much. Many expats in Hanoi find their next position through referrals, chambers of commerce such as AmCham and EuroCham, industry events and specialist recruitment agencies. Whichever route you take, confirm early that the employer will apply for your work permit, as this determines your visa and residence options.
Foreigners can also set up their own company as investors. Owners and capital contributors who meet the legal capital thresholds may qualify for a work permit exemption, but plan the licensing and tax steps with a local lawyer or accountant.
3. Conditions for foreigners to work in Vietnam
Under Article 151 of the Labour Code 2019, a foreign worker in Vietnam must meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old and have full legal capacity;
- Have the professional qualifications, skills and work experience required for the job;
- Be in good health according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health;
- Not be serving a criminal sentence, have an unexpunged criminal record, or be under criminal prosecution in Vietnam or abroad;
- Hold a work permit issued by the competent Vietnamese authority, unless the person falls under an exempt category.
Foreign workers are generally employed as managers, executive directors, experts or technical workers. Decree 219/2025 keeps these categories but relaxes some thresholds. According to law-firm summaries of the decree, an expert with a university degree now needs at least two years of relevant experience (previously three), and the requirement is lower again for experts in priority sectors such as finance, science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
4. Work permits under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP
Decree 219/2025/ND-CP was issued on 7 August 2025 and took effect the same day, replacing Decree 152/2020/ND-CP and its amending Decree 70/2023/ND-CP. The most practical change for employers is that the old two-step process, in which the company first obtained approval for its demand to use foreign workers and then applied for each work permit, has been merged into a single procedure. Employers also no longer have to file the old half-yearly reports on foreign labour.
A work permit, or a confirmation of exemption, is valid for a maximum of two years and can be extended once for up to two more years. The application is filed by the employer and typically includes a health certificate, a criminal record check, degrees and proof of experience (legalised and translated where required), passport copies and photos. Obtaining and legalising documents from your home country is usually the slowest step, so start early.
Who is exempt from a work permit?
The Labour Code 2019 (Article 154) and Decree 219/2025 set out a list of exempt cases. Common examples include:
- Owners or capital contributors of a company, and board members of joint-stock companies, whose capital meets the legal threshold;
- Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens and living in Vietnam;
- Foreigners working in Vietnam for a total of less than 90 days in a calendar year, subject to notification requirements;
- Lawyers licensed to practise in Vietnam, and certain cases under international agreements;
- Some experts in priority sectors, with confirmation from the competent authority.
Exemption does not mean no paperwork: in many cases the employer must still obtain a certificate of exemption or notify the labour authority. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also consulted on a draft decree amending Decree 219 during 2026, so check the latest rules with your employer or a lawyer before you apply.
5. Work visas and the temporary residence card
Foreigners who will be employed in Vietnam should hold a work visa: LD1 for those exempt from a work permit, and LD2 for those who hold a work permit. Vietnam’s e-visa, valid for up to 90 days since the 2023 amendments to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, is convenient for exploring the job market but does not allow you to work.
Once your work permit or exemption is issued, your employer can sponsor a temporary residence card (TRC). The card replaces the need for repeated visas and lets you leave and re-enter Vietnam freely. LD1 and LD2 cards are generally valid for up to two years and cannot run longer than your work permit or passport. Applications are handled by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security or the immigration office of the provincial police, so in Hanoi most applicants deal with the city police’s immigration office through their employer. Your residence status also matters if you later decide to buy a home here, since foreign buyers must be legally permitted to enter Vietnam; our foreigner’s guide to buying property in Vietnam explains the requirements.
Where to live in Hanoi when you start working
Your choice of neighbourhood usually depends on where your office or school is. Tay Ho (West Lake) remains the favourite of many expat families, while Cau Giay and the newer western urban areas suit those working in the business districts. Our list of apartment buildings in Hanoi is a good starting point for comparing locations and building types.
Kensington Vietnam regularly works with employers and HR teams on relocation. For a longer stay you can also browse second-hand properties for sale, or read our Hanoi real estate FAQs for practical answers on leases, deposits and registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which decree regulates work permits for foreigners in Vietnam now?
Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, issued and effective on 7 August 2025, is the current decree. It replaced Decree 152/2020/ND-CP and Decree 70/2023/ND-CP, and works alongside the Labour Code 2019.
How long is a Vietnam work permit valid?
A work permit or confirmation of exemption is valid for up to two years. It can be extended once, for a maximum of two further years.
Can I work in Vietnam on a tourist visa or e-visa?
No. Foreign employees should hold an LD1 or LD2 work visa, backed by a work permit or a confirmed exemption, and can then apply for a temporary residence card.
Do I need a work permit if I am married to a Vietnamese citizen?
Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens and living in Vietnam are an exempt category, but the employer usually still needs to complete the exemption procedure with the labour authority.
How long is a temporary residence card for workers valid?
LD1 and LD2 temporary residence cards are generally valid for up to two years, and no longer than your work permit and passport validity.
