Negotiating salary and benefits in Vietnam

As many questions, I will quote you:

"Is salary and benefits negotiation regarded as common practice in Vietnam? If yes, how should you go about negotiating your package (during the hiring process, on a monthly/yearly basis...)?"

All shall be done before/during hiring. Do not negotiate once all has been agreed....

"What do you expect to be included in terms of benefits in your package? Which benefits do you deem necessary in Vietnam?"

Beside traditional/compulsory benefits, you can negotiate housing, transportation, health insurance package, school fees, extra days off,...

"Is tax on the salary of an expat applicable in Vietnam or do you have to turn to tax bodies in your country of origin to pay your taxes?"

Check if your country does have double tax agreement with VN. If yes, you only pay PIT in VN. Usually salaries are gross.

"Do the exchange rates of currencies impact your salary as an expat?"

Expats can have USD contracts paid in USD .

Vietnam is NOT a cheap place to live as an expat.  There are several components to negotiate before coming to Vietnam.  The cost of schooling is one of the highest in the world. If you have school going children, especially in high school, try and get yr company to pay the school fees.  If they dont, look elsewhere.  The cost of decent accommodation should be included in the package as well as a car with driver.  The other item to negotiate is a home leave ticket for you as a minimum but also for the entire family (within reason).  I would also say to negotiate at least one week additional weeks leave as you will find that you need to get out of Vietnam from time to time for a few days to recharge. Vietnam is NOT an easy place to live and work.  It is so unlike what you will be used to coming from a first world country.  Work ethic is different, conditions are different, the way business is done is different.  Dont underestimate these challenges.  I have been here for nearly 12 years and I still find it difficult. If you can succeed here you can succeed anywhere.  Also ask what support the company offers to the non working partner.  How do they assist you in your move to Vietnam.  What guidance and support do they offer. Hope this helps.

I should also add Medical Insurance with evacuation cover for all family members.  Company should pay all taxes and quote you a net after tax salary in USD, not in vnd!!!  If your company is not willing to do grant most of these itmes, my advice is to look at another country.  Dont come to Vietnam.  If you have to pay school fees and housing from your monthly salary, stay at home, you will be better off. Also negotiate an annula review. COL increases every year.

I want to find job in Phu Quoc I can speak English

Seems like you have the answers to most of the queries, as an expat living in Ho Chi Minh for a long time (with the experience with the hiring people as well), I can say you can always Negotiate on the salary. Just know that, in general, Vietnamese are very active and skilled in what they do. And companies often find it troublesome and costly to employ foreigners here. If you are (exceptionally) good you can always bargain with the salary prior to signing any contract. But keep in mind that the employer will always make a cost benefit analysis (Vietnamese or foreigners) when he or she will be talking to you.

Always ask how long your passport will be asked to be out of your hands. Make sure that they commit to giving you your passport back after a certain agreed upon amount of time.
   Also, ask about the work visa. If you have to go through the trouble of getting a work visa for two years, is this work visa going to cover you if you change jobs? Or, do you have to get a whole new work visa if you change jobs after one year?

I have my marriage visa here now for 5 years

... and just what experience do you have with the Vietnam job market?

live here do, you?

know a lot of Viet employers? and job seekers?

do you know any vietnam expats and their job experiences?

kind regards

macintyre wrote:

... and just what experience do you have with the Vietnam job market?

live here do, you?

know a lot of Viet employers? and job seekers?

do you know any vietnam expats and their job experiences?

kind regards

And what sort of experience do you have in the forum?

Know how to "quote", do you?

You were in such a rush to post a negative comment that you didn't even let us know the target of your barbs.

Thanks for the meaningless post.

Thankyou very much