The Hanoitimes – With its improved living conditions, high economic growth and rising demand for senior professionals, Vietnam is considered an attractive spot for skilled foreign workers, according to Careerintelligence. The website praised Vietnam’s geographical location, tucked between between the Gulf of Thailand and the Gulf of Tonkin, offering some of the world’s most unique landscapes. “Combined with a low cost of living, the country’s steady improvements in infrastructure have made it an increasingly attractive destination for expatriates,” it said. Early in 2012, Vietnam introduced an extensive reform programme focusing on public investment, the banking sector, and state-owned enterprises. These measures have spurred economic growth, and turned the country into an attractive destination for foreign investment, leading to more employment opportunities. The current short-term economic climate provides good investment opportunities, and the real estate market is improving along with the country’s GDP growth. Besides the capital city of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City is the second best city for expatriates. Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Hai Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau are also attracting foreign direct investment, promising numerous career-building opportunities, the website added. Ranking highly in Expat Experience league tables, Vietnam is rated particularly highly for the Disposable Income criteria. The website said 53 percent of expats agreed that living and working conditions in Vietnam had improved, whilst employers were offering attractive relocation packages. Given the low overall cost of living and higher earning potential, Vietnam is considered one of Southeast Asia’s ‘most cost-effective places for expats’. Although agriculture, forestry and fishery constitute the biggest sectors of Vietnam’s economy, they are giving way to industry and the services sector. Western and Chinese multinational companies are relocating their production units to Vietnam due to lower manufacturing costs. Increased investments from Japan and the Republic of Korea further support this trend. The stable political situation, incentives for foreign investors and the promising market are factors attracting foreign direct investment flows to the Southeast Asian nation. By Tuan Minh
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:05:14 +0000