Hanoi’s labour market
Hanoi is developing at the speed of sound in regards to its GDP, its services sector is growing exponentially, and foreign trade is at an all-time high. Agriculture has always been an essential part of the local economy, especially as Vietnam is one of the biggest rice exporters in the world. This industry has seen a dip in profits over the last few decades, but thanks to improving technologies, Hanoi’s agricultural sector is making a terrific comeback. This, as well as other entities, is creating a range of opportunities for the https://chivietnam.com
Top tip: You can get a feel for the labour market of Hanoi by checking sites like Vietnamworks and of course, Expat.com.
Language teaching
Let’s get the most obvious out of the way first. Hanoi is peppered with ESL teachers, many of whom are not even from native English countries. If you are looking for well-paid and challenging work, this could be the career shift you are searching for. As Hanoi is still developing its education sector, many companies are willing to bend the rules slightly. It is advisable to study for at least a TEFL, but a more prestigious teaching certificate like a CELTA is preferred. To qualify for a work permit in this sector, one must have a credible teaching credential and also a degree in any field. Basic salaries for English teachers start around 15 USD per hour, but should you have a degree in English or education, look into the more illustrious centres like APAX. Salaries here are significantly higher, but these companies are much stricter in their recruitment process.
Startups
The startup scene in Hanoi is also thriving at the moment. Although Ho Chi Minh in the south is more blatantly regarded as a modern and innovative city, Hanoi is quickly catching up. From a political standing, Hanoi may be the capital of a socialist regime, yet well over 90% of the local population are in favour of free market capitalism. Roughly two-thirds of Hanoi locals are active on Facebook and other forms of social media, and for many startups, web developers and social media managers are in high demand. In a short-term sense, startups revolving around food technology and e-commerce are currently the most viable.
Technology
Hanoi is also firmly rooted within the realm of technology, with several universities dedicated to this field situated here. From the playground upwards, students are churned into mathematicians with the integrity of an oil drill, and it is statistically evident that Hanoi is adamant about the development of STEM fields.
What’s the bottom line?
This is not Bali, a place where acquiring a work permit as a foreigner is notoriously tricky. Nowadays in Hanoi, it is possible as an expat to work in almost any industry, providing one has all the necessary credentials. The locals here are very proud and patriotic, but they are not pretentious. Foreigners are treated with respect and are given credit for anything they bring to the table in their chosen sphere. That’s not to say that some jobs aren’t more popular than others in Hanoi; if you strike up a conversation with an expat, chances are they will be an English teacher. Following that, freelance marketing, graphic design, web development, and anything else that requires a marathon of laptop time, also ranks high on the list.
Unemployment and wages
According to Dang Cong San, Vietnam’s central online newspaper, unemployment rates in Hanoi have dropped to below 2% during the first half of 2019. Salaries vary significantly between occupations and their sectors, but as an example, working as a director of human resources, one can expect to rake in at least 60 million VND (US$ 2,567) per month. Working as a branch manager of an international bank also accumulates a similar pay packet. Overall, finding a job in Hanoi is undoubtedly much easier compared with similar cities around the world.
