English proficiency boosted my salary tenfold

English has played a pivotal role in my career journey. In 2003, fresh out of university, I began working for a state-owned company with a monthly salary of over VND2 million. Part of the job requirement was to take the TOEIC test, and I scored over 800 points.

Fast forward three years to 2006, I landed a job at a foreign company entering the Vietnamese market. My salary jumped to over VND8 million per month - four times what I was earning at my previous job.

A year later, I received an offer from another international company, this time with a monthly salary of US$1,000. At the exchange rate then, my income translated to over VND20 million per month after taxes and excluding insurance. To put this into perspective, the average monthly income in Vietnam at that time was around VND2 million.

Throughout my 15-year career with foreign companies, English has been my primary working language. Beyond a competitive salary and bonuses, I've had the chance to travel overseas and gain unique experiences that broadened my horizons.

Six years ago, I applied for an overseas position, and my company's headquarters in Germany not only offered me the role but also supported my decision to relocate my family there.

English has undoubtedly been one of the key skills that have opened doors to better job opportunities and higher salaries. In a competitive job market, lacking English proficiency can be a significant disadvantage.

How has English changed your life?