Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia located on the Indochina Peninsula. Its territory is 128,455 square miles. With a population of almost 93 million people, it ranks 14th largest in the world. The country has much natural diversity, with mountains and tropical forests accounting for more than 80% of its land. The coastline is long and picturesque. Vietnam has two World Natural Heritage Sites and six biosphere reserves. It is rated 16th in the world for its biodiversity. Because of its rich natural and cultural attractions, it is a popular tourist destination.

Vietnam is one of the fastest growing among the emerging economies of the world. It’s projected to become the 21st ranked economy on the globe by 2025. It is a planned economy whose strategy is shaped by the Vietnamese Communist Party. The country is a major exporter of technology, oil, and agricultural products. Its production is focused on manufacturing, IT, and high-tech fields, but agriculture remains a major activity for the rural population.

Urbanization levels are still low in Vietnam, with 34% of the population living in urban areas. However, the country is urbanizing quickly. The largest city is Ho Chi Minh City, with 8.3 million citizens. The capital, Hanoi, has about 7.4 million inhabitants. Other major urban centers are Hai Phong, Can Tho, Bien Hoa, and Da Nang. Each of them has more than one million citizens.

Top Skills

Vietnamese is the official language in the country. French is the most popular second language because of Vietnam’s historical connection with France. English is taught in schools and used in trade and business. The literacy rate is 90.3%.

There are a number of prestigious technological and economics universities in Vietnam. Some of the internationally acclaimed ones are Can Tho University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the University of Da Nang, Thai Nguyen University, the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Science. The most popular programs are in technology, sciences, and engineering.

Freelancing is one of the top work options for young and well-educated Vietnamese. Many professionals choose the freelance path because of the numerous opportunities, flexibility, and the better payment prospects. Top talents offer their services in IT, software development, design, marketing, and copywriting.

Income Range

The average monthly income in Vietnam is about 20 million VND, or $880. The salaries in the services sectors are lower, with monthly salaries of about 10 million VND ($440). IT and marketing specialists earn around 24 million VND ($1,050) per month.

The highest paying positions are in health, education, and publishing. Monthly salaries in these fields can reach up to 55 million VND ($2,420). The income in urban areas is higher, which means that city-based freelancers will have higher payment expectations.

Currency

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong. The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 22,730 VND.

Currency Exchange

Most well-known payment services like PayPal, Payoneer, and Transferwise operate in Vietnam.