Average salaries in Vietnam vary by sector, but in general, Vietnam has a reputation for abundant, relatively low-cost labour.
This has been instrumental to its rise as a key global manufacturing hub.
This article discusses the average salary in Vietnam and provides a glimpse into what firms can realistically expect to pay their staff when starting a business in Vietnam. Get updates delivered straight to your inbox
Average monthly salary in Vietnam by sector
The National Statistics Office of Vietnam keeps track of the average salary in Vietnam and reports quarterly on updates and changes.
Whole economy, average salary in Vietnam
| Economy Average | |||||
| Monthly Wage | Change QoQ | ||||
| Q2 2025 | 8,200,000 | 311.31 | 700,000 | 26.58 | 8.43 |
| Q3 2025 | 8,374,000 | 317.92 | 774,000 | 29.38 | 9.44 |
| Q4 2025 | 8,700,000 | 330.30 | 500,000 | 18.98 | 5.97 |
| Q1 2026 | 9,000,000 | 341.69 | 700,000 | 26.58 | 8.05 |
Industry and construction, average salary in Vietnam
| Industry and construction | |||||
| Monthly Wage | Change QoQ | ||||
| Period | VND | US$ | VND | US$ | % |
| Q2 2025 | 9,000,000 | 341.69 | 700,000 | 26.58 | 7.69 |
| Q3 2025 | 9,130,000 | 346.62 | 630,000 | 23.92 | 7.00 |
| Q4 2025 | 9,300,000 | 353.08 | 300,000 | 11.39 | 3.29 |
| Q1 2026 | 9,800,000 | 372.06 | 700,000 | 26.58 | 7.53 |
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, average salary in Vietnam
| Agriculture, forestry and fishery | |||||
| Monthly Wage | Change QoQ | ||||
| Period | VND | US$ | VND | US$ | % |
| Q2 2025 | 4,900,000 | 186.03 | 500,000 | 18.98 | 10.20 |
| Q3 2025 | 4,840,000 | 183.75 | 540,000 | 20.50 | 11.02 |
| Q4 2025 | 5,200,000 | 197.42 | 400,000 | 15.19 | 8.26 |
| Q1 2026 | 5,500,000 | 208.81 | 600,000 | 22.78 | 11.54 |
Service sector, average salary in Vietnam
| Service sector | |||||
| Monthly Wage | Change QoQ | ||||
| Period | VND | US$ | VND | US$ | % |
| Q2 2025 | 9,800,000 | 372.06 | 1,100,000 | 41.76 | 11.11 |
| Q3 2025 | 9,970,000 | 378.51 | 870,000 | 33.03 | 8.88 |
| Q4 2025 | 10,300,000 | 391.04 | 600,000 | 22.78 | 6.02 |
| Q1 2026 | 10,600,000 | 402.43 | 700,000 | 26.58 | 6.80 |
Vietnam’s average salary versus ASEAN
Vietnam’s average monthly wage remains in the lower-middle range within ASEAN, though steady gains in 2025 reflect gradual productivity improvements and a shift toward higher-value manufacturing and services.
Thailand
Wages in Thailand are substantially higher than in Vietnam, reflecting a more advanced industrial structure and higher living costs.
Thailand’s diversified economy continues to sustain stronger wage growth across both manufacturing and services.
See also: Average Wage in Thailand: Insights, Trends, and Sector Breakdown
Malaysia
Malaysia maintains one of the region’s highest average wage levels, far exceeding Vietnam’s.
This gap is driven by greater capital intensity, higher skill requirements, and stronger institutional frameworks for labour protection.
See also: Average Salary in Malaysia: Insights, Trends, and Sector Breakdown
Indonesia
Indonesia’s average wages are moderately above Vietnam’s, though regional variations are wide.
Both economies rely heavily on manufacturing and construction, with similar challenges in productivity and informality.
See also: Average Salary in Indonesia: Monthly & by Sector
Philippines
The Philippines records somewhat higher wage levels than Vietnam, led by its services sector, particularly outsourcing and remittances-driven domestic demand.
However, income inequality and regional disparities remain more pronounced.
Minimum wage in Vietnam
Vietnam’s minimum wage is decided by the National Wage Council (NWC) but officially approved by the government.
Typically the NWC consults both industry groups and Vietnam’s only trade union, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.
When a wage hike is set by the council it is submitted to the government for approval.
Vietnam’s last wage rise was in July of 2024.
Vietnam’s minimum wage is set by region of which there are four.
These are somewhat haphazard and determined relative to the cost of living.
As a general guide, the higher the cost of living in an area the higher the minimum wage–Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, for example, are region one with the least developed areas, region four.
Minimum wage from January 1, 2026 (approved November 10)
| Region | VND Month | VND Hour | US$ Month | US$ Hour |
| 1 | 5,310,000 | 25,500 | 202.85 | 0.97 |
| 2 | 4,730,000 | 22,700 | 180.70 | 0.87 |
| 3 | 4,140,000 | 19,900 | 158.16 | 0.76 |
| 4 | 3,700,000 | 17,800 | 141.35 | 0.68 |
Source: Lao Dong
Executive salaries in Vietnam
Executives working in Vietnam can command hefty pay packets.
That said, these paychecks are usually quite a bit higher for foreign executives versus their domestic counterparts.
SNAPSHOT: Company director salaries in Vietnam
The average salary of a company director in Vietnam is VND 2.5 billion or US$101,482 according to an analysis of 200 publicly listed companies performed by FiinGroup.
The study also found that salaries of the directors at state owned enterprises–or SOEs–were much lower, coming in at VND 1.4 billion or US$56,830 a year.
Vietnam salary guides
There are a number of high-profile human resources firms in Vietnam and most of them offer some form of salary guide.
Wages outlined in these guides are focused on skilled professions.
It should also be noted that foreign workers typically attract much higher wages than local workers.
These are some key Vietnam salary guides:
Entitlements in Vietnam
On top of their wages, workers in Vietnam have a number of entitlements enshrined in Vietnam’s Labour Code. This includes:
- 12 days of annual leave;
- Overtime including: time-and-a-half on regular days, double-time on weekends, and triple-time on holidays;
- 11 public holidays each year;
- Six months of parental leave; and
- One to three days for weddings or bereavement.
When calculating the costs of doing business in Vietnam in terms of wages, these entitlements also need to be taken into consideration.
Incomes tax in Vietnam for average wage workers
Personal Income Tax in Vietnam–locally known as the PIT–is the tax applied to a worker’s income.
This is a progressive tax with seven tiers.
Most workers on the average wage in Vietnam should find they are subjected to a 10 percent personal income tax.
That said, at peak periods and with overtime, average wage workers, particularly in manufacturing, may from time-to-time fall into the third tier which is 15 percent.
FAQ: Average wage in Vietnam
What is the current average monthly salary in Vietnam?
As of Q2 2025, the national average monthly salary is VND 8.7 million (approximately US$331), though this varies significantly by sector. Industry and services pay more than agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
How much do firms typically pay for executive positions?
Executive salaries vary widely. For company directors at listed firms, the average is VND 2.5 billion (about US$101,482) per year. Salaries at state-owned enterprises tend to be lower, averaging VND 1.4 billion (around US$56,830).
What is the minimum wage in Vietnam?
Vietnam’s minimum wage is region-based. As of July 2024, it ranges from VND 3.45 million (US$136) in the least developed areas to VND 4.96 million (US$195) in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
What additional entitlements do Vietnamese workers receive?
Workers are entitled to 12 days of annual leave, 11 public holidays, overtime pay (1.5x to 3x), six months of parental leave, and special leave for weddings or funerals. These costs should be factored into payroll planning.
What personal income tax applies to average wage earners?
Most average wage earners fall into the 10 percent income tax bracket. However, with overtime or bonuses, some may temporarily move into the 15 percent bracket under Vietnam’s progressive PIT system.
What’s next?
With a clear understanding of the average salary in Vietnam, key decision makers should be able to more adequately assess the strengths and weaknesses of doing business in this rapidly developing economy.
Moving forward, the-shiv has a broad range of how-to guides for different business types (cafes, English centres, gyms, etc.), as well as industry overviews (stocks, manufacturing, coffee, etc.), which should give readers a deeper understanding of these industry-specific business environments.
All of that said, Vietnam’s economy is rapidly developing and is ultra-dynamic and prone to change quickly.
To keep tabs on what is happening, including the latest data on the average salary in Vietnam, foreign firms should make sure to subscribe to the-shiv.
First published December 27, 2023. Last updated March 5, 2026.