Vietnam IT Market Research and Tech Hub Comparison
Client Objective
A US-based IT outsourcing company was evaluating Vietnam as a potential location for establishing a fully foreign-owned operation.
Before making investment decisions, the client wanted to compare Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang to determine which technology hub best matched its recruitment strategy, operating model, and long-term growth plans. The study would support future incorporation, talent acquisition, and an exploratory business visit.
Challenges
Choosing the right location required more than comparing salary levels.
The client needed to understand:
- Which city offered the best balance between talent quality and employment costs
- Where the required software development and operational roles could be recruited
- Which ecosystem best supported a remote-first, fully foreign-owned company
- How each city compares in terms of talent pipeline, scalability, and business support services
The objective was to evaluate each location using practical market-entry criteria rather than relying on general information about Vietnam’s technology industry.
Solution
MoveToAsia conducted a comparative market-entry assessment covering Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, combining labor market research with business environment analysis to provide a practical evaluation of each technology hub.
IT Market Research and Location Comparison
The assessment included:
- Mapping leading technology universities and graduate talent pipelines
- Benchmarking salary ranges by city, seniority, and job function
- Assessing the availability of developers, business analysts, project managers, DevOps specialists, and network administrators
- Evaluating English proficiency, technical capabilities, and local working culture
- Comparing incorporation requirements and virtual office solutions
- Identifying recruitment agencies, payroll providers, accounting firms, legal advisors, and other business support services
- Reviewing the presence of international technology companies to assess ecosystem maturity
The findings enabled the client to compare each location using consistent operational criteria aligned with its planned business model.
Results
The market-entry study provided a structured foundation for evaluating Vietnam before committing to company incorporation.
As a result:
- The three technology hubs were evaluated using the same operational framework
- Recruitment costs, talent availability, and hiring scalability became significantly clearer
- The client gained a better understanding of the trade-offs between cost, talent depth, and long-term expansion potential
- Key legal, operational, and incorporation considerations were identified early in the decision-making process
- Future consultation, business visits, and meetings with local service providers could be planned more efficiently
- The client was better positioned to select the location that best aligned with its long-term recruitment and operational strategy