Outdoor offices: The rise of international remote work in Vietnam

After graduating from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, he tried his hand at various jobs, including as an IT programmer in a school and a civil servant. But he kept seeking freelance jobs to improve his income.

In 2021, one of Quan's freelance projects led him to a full-time job with the Swedish company without even having to leave his country, entering the world of remote working.

Quan works from a coffee shop in central Vinh town on Oct. 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of Quan

He says working remotely for a foreign company has advantages like high salaries, saving time on daily commute to work and flexibility of choosing a workplace.

"I wake up at 7:45, and still comfortably start working by 8," he says.

Thanks to the flexible nature of his job, he often takes his family on impromptu trips. In the summer of 2024, they spent a month in Da Lat, where he continued working during weekdays and explored places on weekends.

"As long as I have a computer and internet, I can work from anywhere."

Discussing the potential of remote work, Tran Ngoc Tuan, CEO of a platform dedicated to freelancers, says: "The number of people working remotely is increasing, especially among technology professionals such as website and applications developers, cybersecurity experts and business analysts."

In the 2023 Global Remote Work Index, Vietnam ranked 59th out of 108 countries as a popular destination for remote work, thanks to its quality internet and digital infrastructure.

The country also has a substantial technology workforce of over 530,000 people, mainly comprising Millennials and Gen Z, who make up the majority of the labour market.

For Hoang Trang, 32, of HCMC, the opportunity for remote work came unexpectedly. Soon after resigning from her nine-year-old office job, she was offered remote work by a Taiwanese company specializing in the barcode industry.

Hoang Trang participates in the Computex 2024 technology exhibition in June 2024. Photo courtesy of Trang

Unlike technological work, where tasks are clearly assigned, Trang's employers gave her full responsibility for developing their market, meaning she had to plan everything herself.

Initially the lack of instructions made her feel lost, but over time she adapted to the job.

"My task is to build the market, set up distribution channels, and develop the company's brand in Vietnam and Cambodia, and so I travel abroad frequently."

She now serves as a representative of hercompany. After 18 months, Trang now has full control over her work and schedule. Being able to work from anywhere, she can enjoy "free vacations" while on business trips.

"When working as a supply chain manager, the stress was high due to the heavy responsibility. This job is only stressful if I can not meet sales targets."

She reveals that her current salary is double her previous one, with occasional bonuses thrown in.

While her job mainly involves English, she’s learning Chinese to communicate better with her superiors and colleagues at HQ.

Khanh Duy, 24, says remote work has helped him balance work and personal life. He works for a foreign IT startup with flexible hours, allowing him to set his own meeting appointments.

Khanh Duy, 24, from HCMC, works remotely for an international IT startup. Photo courtesy of Duy

His usual workplace is a coffee shop, but he says sometimes he likes traveling to forests or beaches to work.

"I just spent a week in Da Lat. It was interesting. People came to the café to take photos while I sat there working from 8 AM to 9 PM."

When fresh out of university he used to believe he had to socialize and meet new people to succeed in the IT industry. He used to go for drinks several times a week, stay up late and lead a sedentary life.

One day, while working alone at home, he felt a sharp pain in his head and passed out. Twenty minutes later he woke up and found himself lying on the floor. That was when he realized he needed to have a healthier lifestyle.

"Now that I work remotely I can spend more time on my health. I also have a workspace that inspires me and a supportive boss across the ocean who guides me professionally."

However, not everything about remote work is great.

Duy points out downsides such as not receiving a 13th-month salary unlike in Vietnam, where an employee’s income often covers basic benefits such as social insurance. He pays for his social insurance himself.

As for Trang, she meets up with others in the same industry, learning from their experiences and keeping up with "office drama."

She often had to explain her remote job to her family, who did not fully understand this new working style, before deciding to move out and live by herself to avoid explaining.

As for Quan, thanks to his previous experiences as a freelancer, he knows how to negotiate with employers when issues arise. For example, instead of taking time off for Christmas like his foreign colleagues, he arranged to take a week off during the Tet holidays.

Contrary to the belief that remote workers often make little progress due to the lack of instructions, Quan has been gaining confidence as he continues to work. As he deals with problems without any support and constantly learns, he has seen his professional skills improve greatly.

He enjoys living near his parents in his hometown, where living costs are lower than in the city, and getting a high salary. With almost total control over his schedule, he even has his own business as a side hustle.

Tuan advises people interested in remote work to gain experience, become fluent in foreign languages and build a strong LinkedIn profile.

"Vietnam is becoming a hotspot for hiring for European and American companies, and those with suitable skills can earn much better than at local firms."