WHY IS VIETNAM ATTRACTING MORE INTERNATIONAL TALENT TO WORK AND LIVE?

Vietnam is becoming more than just a destination for international investment and business. The country is also seeing a growing presence of foreign workers. By the end of 2025, Vietnam had 162,858 foreign workers from approximately 110 countries and territories.

Notably, Vietnam ranked 5th out of 46 destinations worldwide in InterNations' Expat Insider 2025 survey and took first place in the Personal Finance Index.

These figures suggest that Vietnam's appeal goes beyond employment opportunities. The living experience of its international community is also an important factor.

162,858 FOREIGN WORKERS: AN OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL TALENT IN VIETNAM

According to data presented in the Global Expertise in Vietnam infographic, Vietnam recorded 162,858 foreign workers from approximately 110 countries and territories by the end of 2025.

This diversity of nationalities shows that Vietnam has become a workplace for international professionals with different experiences, expertise, and cultural backgrounds.

It also reflects an important aspect of the country's economic integration. Alongside the movement of investment capital, goods, and manufacturing activities, international talent contributes to a more diverse working environment for businesses operating in Vietnam.

SKILLED PROFESSIONALS ACCOUNT FOR A LARGE SHARE OF FOREIGN WORKERS

One notable feature of Vietnam's foreign workforce is the high proportion of positions requiring professional knowledge and technical skills.

Of the total 162,858 foreign workers:

• Technical Workers: 85,951.
• Experts: 44,342.
• Managers: 22,416.
• Executives: 10,149.

Experts and technical workers together account for 130,293 people, representing nearly 80% of the total foreign workforce.

This structure shows that international talent in Vietnam is not limited to management positions. Foreign workers also participate directly in jobs requiring specialized knowledge and technical expertise.

Their presence can create more opportunities for knowledge sharing, exposure to international working methods, and skills development among the domestic workforce.

ASIAN COUNTRIES ACCOUNT FOR THE LARGEST SHARE OF FOREIGN WORKERS

In terms of origin, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan are the four leading sources of foreign workers in Vietnam.

China accounts for 31.1%, followed by South Korea at 18.5%, Taiwan at 12.9%, and Japan at 9.5%.

Together, these four markets represent approximately 72% of Vietnam's foreign workforce.

This distribution reflects the significant workforce connections between Vietnam and other Asian economies. These markets also have a presence in various business, manufacturing, and economic cooperation activities in Vietnam.

Nevertheless, with workers coming from approximately 110 countries and territories, Vietnam's international community is much more diverse than these four leading groups alone.

VIETNAM RANKS 5TH WORLDWIDE AS A DESTINATION FOR EXPATS

A country's ability to attract international talent depends not only on employment opportunities but also on the quality of everyday life.

According to InterNations' Expat Insider 2025 report, Vietnam ranked 5th among 46 destinations surveyed worldwide.

Vietnam also secured first place globally in the Personal Finance Index. This notable result reflects positive feedback from survey participants regarding their personal financial situation while living in the country.

For foreigners considering long-term employment abroad, financial conditions can directly influence their ability to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, manage expenses, and pursue personal plans.

Vietnam's strong position in this international survey further strengthens its image as a destination worth considering for the global expat community.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CREATES NEW DEMAND IN VIETNAM'S URBAN AREAS

The presence of more than 162,000 foreign workers is significant not only for the labor market but also for the development of various service industries.

As foreigners move to Vietnam for work and daily life, demand may expand across sectors such as housing, education, healthcare, retail, dining, and entertainment.

In urban areas with concentrated international communities, convenient living environments, integrated amenities, and access to multilingual services can become important factors in meeting residents' needs.

In the real estate sector, international customers also create demand for housing options that suit their rental, residential, and daily commuting requirements.

However, the impact on individual locations or property segments should be assessed based on the actual distribution of foreign workers rather than drawing conclusions directly from nationwide figures.

FROM A WORK DESTINATION TO A LIVING ENVIRONMENT CHOSEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The figure of 162,858 foreign workers and Vietnam's 5th-place ranking in Expat Insider 2025 offer two perspectives on the country's appeal: the presence of international talent in its economy and positive assessments of the living experience among foreign residents.

As Vietnam continues its international integration, improvements in working conditions, service quality, and living standards will remain important factors in strengthening its attractiveness to global talent.

This presents opportunities not only to attract international knowledge and expertise but also to support the long-term development of service industries and urban environments.