'I almost had a stroke working for a monthly IT salary of $2,400'

Reader ssscnn1 shared their experience: "I used to earn between VND40-60 million (US$1,576-2,360) per month working in IT for a private company. But the pressure was enormous. My personal and family time was almost nonexistent. Late nights became routine, and it seriously affected my health. After several near-stroke incidents, I switched to a government IT job. Now, I make just over VND10 million (US$394) a month, but the stress is far less. While money is important, I value good health more because it allows me to truly enjoy life."

A woman coding on her computer. Illustration photo by Pexels

Many readers shared similar perspectives.

Reader Duong.tq.dev commented: "In any field, high pay means significant responsibility and contribution. I work in IT in Vietnam and know many colleagues who earn up to VND100 million (US$3,937) a month after tax. Most of them work for private companies or foreign-invested businesses, holding key positions like Project Manager or Solution Architect. They handle heavy workloads, manage large teams, and play critical roles in the success of projects. Such roles and salaries are rare in government projects, which makes it difficult for public organizations to attract top talent."

Recruitment experts with years of experience in IT staffing explained that government organizations struggle to match the competitive salaries, benefits, and flexible work environments offered by private firms.

Reader jasonngo.dev remarked: "Whether public or private, the key for IT professionals is that pay and benefits must reflect the demands of constant learning and unpredictable hours. Most importantly, skilled IT professionals can create real value for businesses. For instance, top talent can cut a project's cost by 10 times and deliver the same effectiveness."

Reader Tuan Bui Anh added: "I once worked in a private company. Despite holding no major position, I earned more than some department heads. Private firms allow employees to negotiate salaries directly, unlike the fixed pay scales in government roles. But income isn’t the only issue with public-sector IT jobs. The work environment and lack of freedom to innovate are also limiting factors. While developing IT tools is straightforward, ensuring they are effectively adopted and utilized within an organization—especially in the public sector—poses a greater challenge. When a company’s value increases, IT professionals will be valued and rewarded for their contributions."