Introduction

In today’s mobile-first world, the demand for talented mobile app developers is growing rapidly. Businesses of all sizes are seeking to build intuitive, robust mobile applications that meet the needs of an increasingly digital consumer base. One country that stands out for its rich pool of mobile development talent is Vietnam. However, hiring developers in a foreign country can present significant legal, administrative, and compliance hurdles — unless you work with an Employer of Record (EOR).

This guide explores why Vietnam is a leading destination for mobile development, the challenges of international hiring, and how working with an EOR company simplifies the process of hiring remote developers compliantly.

Why Vietnam is a Top Destination for Mobile App Development Talent

Vietnam has become a recognized hotspot for offshore software development, particularly for mobile app development. Several factors contribute to this growth:

1. Abundant Technical Talent

Vietnam produces thousands of IT graduates annually, many of whom are highly skilled in Android and iOS development using Swift, Kotlin, and Java. Local universities are well-aligned with industry demands, and many developers actively participate in coding bootcamps and freelance platforms.

2. Competitive Hiring Costs

Labor costs in Vietnam are significantly lower compared to Western countries. You can hire a top-tier mobile developer in Vietnam for 40–60% less than the cost of hiring in the US or Europe, without compromising on quality.

3. Strong English Proficiency

Vietnamese developers, especially in urban centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have good English communication skills, which makes remote collaboration seamless.

4. Thriving Tech Ecosystem

Vietnam has a vibrant tech community backed by government initiatives, coworking hubs, and startup accelerators. The country also enjoys reliable internet connectivity and a high mobile penetration rate, making remote work convenient.

The Challenges of Hiring in Vietnam Without a Local Entity

While Vietnam offers many advantages, hiring employees directly without a local presence is not straightforward. Foreign companies are required to:

• Set up a local legal entity
  
• Register with Vietnamese tax authorities
  
• Comply with local employment regulations and statutory benefits
  

Failing to meet these requirements can result in penalties, legal risks, or contractor misclassification. Here are some key issues:

1. Complex Labor Laws

Vietnam has strict labor regulations covering contracts, working hours, benefits, and termination. You must contribute to social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance, which can be difficult to manage from abroad.

2. Taxation and Payroll Compliance

Handling payroll in Vietnamese dong and calculating withholdings correctly can be complex without local knowledge. Errors can result in audits or fines.

3. Contractor vs. Employee Misclassification

Hiring developers as independent contractors might seem like a shortcut, but misclassification risks are high. Authorities may retroactively deem these individuals as employees, leading to back pay, fines, and reputation damage.

What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?

An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party organization that hires employees on behalf of a foreign company. The EOR becomes the legal employer, handling payroll, compliance, benefits, and HR functions, while you maintain control over day-to-day work and management.

This setup allows you to hire full-time employees in Vietnam without opening a local entity, reducing cost, time, and compliance risks.

How an EOR Company Works in Vietnam

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how EOR hiring works:

1. You identify and select a suitable mobile app developer.
   
   
2. The EOR company hires the developer under a legal, compliant employment contract in Vietnam.
   
   
3. The EOR takes care of:
   
   • Employment contracts
     
   • Monthly payroll and taxes
     
   • Statutory benefits
     
   • HR support and employee records
     
4. You manage the developer’s tasks, project deliverables, and performance.
   

This solution enables you to scale quickly while remaining compliant with local labor laws.

Benefits of Using an EOR to Hire Mobile Developers in Vietnam

1. No Entity Setup Required

With an EOR, you don’t need to register a company in Vietnam. The EOR handles all legal obligations for employment on your behalf.

2. Fast Hiring and Onboarding

EOR companies can onboard developers in days instead of months, helping you speed up product timelines and project launches.

3. Full Legal Compliance

The EOR ensures compliance with Vietnamese labor laws, social insurance contributions, income taxes, and other regulations.

4. Simplified Payroll and Benefits Management

EORs manage monthly salaries, mandatory benefits, leave policies, and local tax deductions. This relieves you of complicated administrative work.

5. Talent Retention Support

A good EOR provides localized employee benefits and support, helping you retain top talent long term.

6. Scalability and Flexibility

Whether you’re hiring one developer or building a full offshore team, an EOR can help you scale up or down based on your business needs.

Key Roles an EOR Can Help You Hire in Vietnam

With the help of a Vietnam-based EOR company, you can hire:

• iOS Developers
  
• Android Developers
  
• Flutter or React Native Developers
  
• Backend Developers (Node.js, Python)
  
• QA Testers
  
• UI/UX Designers
  

Whether you’re building a new app from scratch or scaling an existing one, EORs make it easier to assemble a skilled development team remotely.

What to Look for in a Vietnam EOR Company

Choosing the right EOR partner is critical. Here are some criteria to consider:

• Experience in tech hiring: Ensure they have worked with mobile developers and understand tech job roles.
  
• Local compliance expertise: The EOR should have in-country HR and legal teams.
  
• Transparent pricing: Understand the service fees and what’s included — salary processing, taxes, benefits, etc.
  
• Employee support: Good onboarding, benefits management, and local perks help keep your developers happy and productive.
  
• Scalability: Choose a partner who can grow with you and support additional hiring across APAC if needed.
  

Why Global Companies Choose Vietnam for Remote Tech Teams

Many global startups, agencies, and software companies are leveraging Vietnam’s remote talent pool to stay competitive. With:

• A robust education system
  
• Low operational costs
  
• Skilled developers across platforms
  
• Government support for IT outsourcing
  

Vietnam has become a top-tier destination for global employment solutions in the tech industry.

Hiring via an EOR company ensures your growth in Vietnam is fast, legal, and low-risk — without the overhead of establishing a foreign subsidiary.

Partner with Team Apac to Hire Mobile App Developers in Vietnam

At Team Apac, we help global companies hire remote mobile app developers in Vietnam quickly and compliantly. As a leading EOR company, we provide:

• Fully managed employment setup
  
• Monthly payroll processing
  
• Tax and labor law compliance
  
• Employee onboarding and engagement
  

Whether you’re building a new app or scaling your tech team across borders, Team Apac delivers seamless, cost-effective solutions that let you focus on innovation, while we handle the backend.

Contact Team Apac today to learn how we can help you build and manage your remote mobile development team in Vietnam.