Hiring in Vietnam for Australian Companies: Complete Playbook

Solution by Linh Phạm · operations

Hiring in Vietnam for Australian Companies

After helping 12 Australian companies build teams in Vietnam — from a single developer to fully-remote operations of 30+ — I've built a system that consistently works.

When to use an EOR vs. set up an entity

Below 10 hires, an Employer of Record (EOR) is almost always faster and cheaper. Above 10, the math flips: a Representative Office or LLC reduces ongoing costs and gives you proper IP protection.

Salary benchmarks that match reality

Public salary data lags by 18-24 months in Vietnam. The current market for senior software engineers in HCMC is $2,800-$4,200 USD/month. Mid-level marketers $1,200-$1,800. Don't try to lowball — top talent has 3 offers within a week.

Interview adaptation

The "tell me about yourself" question works poorly. Vietnamese candidates often interpret it as a CV recital. Replace it with situation-based questions and walk-throughs of past projects.

Day-1 onboarding mistakes to avoid

Don't import the AU onboarding deck verbatim. Localise the welcome video, add bilingual policies, and assign a culture buddy. Retention in the first 90 days is everything.