Skip to content
Medium risk2026 rates

Cost to Hire a Developer from Vietnam in Singapore

A mid-level software developer in Vietnam typically earns $12,000–$30,000 a year. At the mid-point of SGD 25,660, after employer payroll taxes and mandatory benefits, the true cost to a company in Singapore is about SGD 31,690 — 23.5% above base salary.

Mid-level salary
$12K–$30K
Employer taxes
23.5%
Mandatory benefits
0%
Local currency
VND

Salary calculator

Drag the slider or type an annual gross salary for your Vietnam-based hire.

Market average

Typical mid-level developer in Vietnam: $12,000–$30,000 (mid-point $20,000). Accepts $1,000–$1,000,000.

$6K$60K
Seniority presets
Show results in

True annual business cost

SGD 40,912

SGD 3,409/month · 1.59× base salary

Base salary
SGD 25,660
Cost on top of salary
+SGD 15,252

Base salary vs. true business cost

Base salary12 months gross
SGD 25,660
Employer payroll taxes23.5% effective, after statutory caps
SGD 6,030
Mandatory benefitsNo statutory extra-month payments
SGD 0
EOR platform fee~$599 × 12 months
SGD 9,222
True business cost
SGD 40,912
How employer taxes are calculated
Social insurance (incl. occupational accident fund)
SGD 4,491
Health insurance
SGD 770
Unemployment insurance
SGD 257
Trade union fee
SGD 513

Currency conversions

  • USDUS dollar

    Base salary

    $20,000

    True cost / month

    $2,657

  • SGDSingapore (HQ)

    Base salary

    SGD 25,660

    True cost / month

    SGD 3,409

  • VNDVietnam (local)

    Base salary

    ₫513,000,000

    True cost / month

    ₫68,160,600

Mid-market rates on 10 November 2026: 1 USD = 25,650 VND = 1.28 SGD. Payroll is usually funded at the provider’s live rate.

Employer taxes & mandatory benefits in Vietnam

  • Employer social insurance 17.5%, health insurance 3% and unemployment insurance 1% — 21.5% in total.
  • Social and health insurance stop at 20× the statutory base salary: VND 50.6M/month since 1 July 2026 (base salary VND 2.53M). Unemployment insurance stops at 20× the regional minimum wage (VND 106.2M/month in Region I).
  • A 2% trade union fee on the social insurance salary fund is payable by employers.
  • A 13th-month Tết bonus is customary in tech but not legally mandatory unless written into the contract.
  • Employers must withhold progressive personal income tax and file monthly or quarterly declarations.

Paid leave: 12 days of paid annual leave, plus one day per five years of service and 11 public holidays.

Paying talent abroad from Singapore

Singapore companies do not contribute CPF for foreigners working outside Singapore. Payments to non-residents for services performed abroad are generally outside Singapore withholding tax, but GST reverse charge may apply.

Contractor model in Vietnam

Individuals receiving foreign service fees self-declare personal income tax; companies often use labour-leasing partners for compliance.

Employee vs. contractor at the market average

Contractor invoicing the same amount
SGD 25,660
Employee (statutory cost)
SGD 31,690
Employee via EOR
SGD 40,912

Guides for hiring in Vietnam

Hiring in Vietnam from Singapore: FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a developer from Vietnam in Singapore?

At a typical 2026 mid-level salary of SGD 25,660 (₫513,000,000) per year, the true employment cost is about SGD 31,690 once 23.5% employer payroll taxes and 0% mandatory benefits are added. Through an Employer of Record at roughly $599 per month, budget about SGD 40,912 per year.

What employer taxes do you pay when hiring in Vietnam?

Employer social insurance 17.5%, health insurance 3% and unemployment insurance 1% — 21.5% in total. Social and health insurance stop at 20× the statutory base salary: VND 50.6M/month since 1 July 2026 (base salary VND 2.53M). Unemployment insurance stops at 20× the regional minimum wage (VND 106.2M/month in Region I). A 2% trade union fee on the social insurance salary fund is payable by employers. In total, employer statutory contributions are roughly 23.5% of gross salary.

Is it risky to hire a contractor in Vietnam?

Vietnam is rated medium compliance risk. Foreign companies cannot employ Vietnamese staff directly without a local legal entity or a licensed labour-leasing partner. Unregistered employment and long-running contractor arrangements expose the company to tax and social insurance assessments. At a typical salary, back-dated employer contributions and benefits could reach about SGD 6,030 per year of engagement if a contractor is reclassified.

Can a company in Singapore hire in Vietnam without a local entity?

Yes. An Employer of Record (EOR) becomes the legal employer in Vietnam, runs compliant local payroll, withholds taxes and provides mandatory benefits, while your company directs the day-to-day work. Alternatively, a genuinely independent contractor can invoice you directly. Individuals receiving foreign service fees self-declare personal income tax; companies often use labour-leasing partners for compliance.

How much paid leave do employees in Vietnam get?

12 days of paid annual leave, plus one day per five years of service and 11 public holidays.

Estimates use indicative 2026 statutory rates and reference exchange rates for planning. Contribution caps, regional surcharges, collective agreements and individual tax status can change real costs. This page is not tax or legal advice — confirm with a local adviser or an Employer of Record before hiring.