From Brain Drain to Brain Gain – Vietnam’s Talent Reversal

GeneralDecember 05, 2025 15:46

Returning Vietnamese professional meeting an HR manager in a modern Ho Chi Minh City office after working abroad.

From Brain Drain to Brain Gain – Vietnam’s Talent Reversal

This article is written in English for readers in Vietnam. Vietnamese and Japanese translations are available on our website. 

After years of “brain drain,” Vietnam is now experiencing a reverse migration — thousands of Vietnamese professionals are returning home from Japan, Singapore, Korea, and Europe.

According to LinkedIn Talent Insights 2025, the number of returning professionals increased by 18% year-on-year, with the largest cohorts aged 28–40, mainly in engineering, finance, and information technology.

Several factors drive this shift:

  • Rising living costs in major global cities.

  • Pay parity in Vietnam’s urban centres such as HCMC and Hanoi.

  • Hybrid opportunities offered by both local and multinational firms.

  • Desire for cultural belonging and proximity to family post-pandemic.

Vietnam is no longer just exporting talent — it’s attracting it back.

📊 1. What Returning Professionals Bring Home

Vietnamese returnees are bringing more than skills; they’re bringing global perspective and leadership experience that local employers urgently need.

Key Strength

Value to Employers

Cross-cultural fluency

Bridges between local and global teams, easing communication.

Technical expertise

Experienced in ERP, automation, and AI systems.

Leadership exposure

Capable of managing regional or hybrid teams.

Language advantage

JLPT, TOEIC, or IELTS-certified professionals support MNC collaboration.

📘 Related Reading: [Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026 – Sectors to Watch as FDI Rises]

💡 2. Which Industries Are Benefiting Most

Based on the Reeracoen Vietnam Salary Guide 2025 and AON Southeast Asia Salary Report 2025, returning professionals are driving transformation in:

Industry

Drivers

Common Roles

Manufacturing & Supply Chain

FDI expansion and Kaizen culture

Production Manager, QA/QC Lead

Information Technology

Digital transformation & automation

Software Engineer, Project Manager

Finance & Banking

Fintech growth & ESG investments

Risk Analyst, Relationship Manager

Education & EdTech

Demand for bilingual education

Academic Director, EdTech Product Lead

Consulting & HR Services

Leadership hiring and talent mobility

Business Consultant, HRBP

🎯 3. How Employers Can Leverage the Brain Gain

  • Create re-entry programmes — Provide onboarding and mentorship to ease localisation.

  • Benchmark pay fairly — Returning professionals earn +15–25% more, especially for bilingual or leadership roles.

  • Offer hybrid options — Support flexible transitions from overseas life

  • Highlight purpose — Connect company culture with national development and sustainability.

📘 Related Reading:  [Cracking Retention in Vietnam 2026 – Onboarding Matters]

🧭 4. Tips for Returning Professionals

✅ Reconnect early — Rebuild professional networks through industry associations and LinkedIn groups.

✅ Show measurable impact — Quantify overseas achievements to demonstrate ROI.

✅ Stay language-ready — Update JLPT or English proficiency scores to stand out.

📘 Related Reading: [Beyond Pay: What Vietnamese Professionals Want in 2026]

🔍 FAQ

Q1. Why are more Vietnamese professionals returning?

Because Vietnam now offers competitive salaries, family proximity, and growth in high-value sectors.

Q2. Which cities attract most returnees?

Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang — hubs for FDI and digital investment.

Q3. How do companies support returning employees?

Through re-entry onboarding, bilingual mentorship, and fair pay benchmarking.

Q4. How does salary compare to regional markets?

Returnees earn 85–90% of equivalent roles in Japan or Singapore after adjusting for living costs.

👩‍💼 For Jobseekers: [Submit Your CV — Find leadership and bilingual opportunities in Vietnam’s top industries.] 

💼 For Employers: [Book a Consultation — Connect with globally experienced Vietnamese professionals ready to lead your 2026 growth.]

✅ Final Author Credit

  • By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

  • Published by Reeracoen Vietnam — a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

🔗 Related Internal Articles

📚 References


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