Hiring domestic help in Vietnam

Not legal or tax advice. Labour law and social-insurance rules change. Verify all obligations with a licensed Vietnamese lawyer or accountant before acting.

Vietnamese domestic help landscape

Domestic help is common across Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi where expat demand overlaps with a large pool of workers who have moved from rural provinces. Most arrangements are informal — a verbal agreement and cash payment — but Vietnamese labour law does technically apply to household workers, and enforcement has been gradually tightening. Foreigners hiring domestic staff face the same obligations as Vietnamese employers, with a few extra considerations around language, cultural expectations, and how to vet candidates without the networks that locals typically rely on.

Maid and house-cleaning

A part-time cleaning maid (often called a giup viec) is the most common hire. She typically comes two to five days a week for three to five hours per session — cleaning, laundry, ironing, and basic tidying. A full-time live-out maid works five or six days and handles most household tasks.

Expect a maid to speak little or no English outside of central expat areas. A bilingual intermediary or a staffing agency is useful in the early weeks to establish expectations clearly. Many foreigners keep a simple typed task list translated into Vietnamese.

Live-in nanny

A live-in nanny (nguoi giu tre) is practical for families with young children, especially given the long working days typical in Vietnam. Live-in arrangements usually include a private room and meals. The nanny is generally expected to handle childcare exclusively, though small household tasks are often negotiated in.

Qualifications vary widely. Nurses and trained childcare workers exist but command higher rates. Most live-in nannies are experienced mothers or grandmothers from rural provinces with no formal certification. Ask specifically about experience with young infants if that is relevant, and check at least two references before committing. Health screening, while not legally mandated for domestic staff, is a reasonable step that many expat families request and cover the cost of.

Driver

A private driver is a practical choice in HCMC or Hanoi given traffic conditions. Most drivers are male, aged 30-55, and drive a employer-supplied vehicle. Duties typically mean school runs, airport transfers, and daily errands. Some drivers double as informal fixers — running government-office queues or collecting documents — which can be genuinely useful for newly arrived expats.

Vietnamese driving licences and a clean driving record are the baseline checks. For longer trips or highways, ask directly about experience outside the city.

Cook

A dedicated home cook is less common than a maid or nanny but exists, usually in larger households or among expats who entertain regularly. Cooks may focus on Vietnamese cuisine, though those who have worked in expat households or international hotels often have broader repertoires. Rates are higher than for a maid at the same hours worked.

Indicative rates

These are rough 2026 estimates for Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Rates in smaller cities and towns run lower. Always confirm current local norms — see cost of living HCMC and cost of living Hanoi for broader context.

Figures are estimates only and vary by experience, English ability, and whether the candidate has prior experience with foreign employers.

Labour-law obligations

Vietnam's Labour Code covers domestic workers. In practice, most informal short-hour arrangements are never formalised, but full-time employees should have a written labour contract. Key points:

• Written contract: required for employment of three months or more. Oral agreements are enforceable but harder to prove.
• Social insurance: employers and employees share contributions for full-time workers. The thresholds and percentages change periodically — verify the current rates with an accountant or the local Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA).
• Minimum wage: regional minimums apply. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi sit in Region 1, which carries the highest floor. Check the current figure before agreeing on pay.
• Annual leave and public holidays: the Labour Code sets minimums. Most domestic workers expect Tet (Lunar New Year) as a significant paid break, often with a bonus (thuong Tet) equivalent to one month's salary — this is a strong social norm even where not strictly required.
• Termination notice: typically 30 days' written notice under a fixed-term contract, though informal arrangements are often ended more abruptly. Severance rules may apply depending on contract duration.

For a broader look at what hiring someone formally involves, see hiring locally in Vietnam.

How to find

• Agency: most large expat residential areas have domestic-staff agencies that vet candidates, handle translation, and sometimes offer replacement guarantees. Fees are typically one month's salary.
• Facebook groups: HCMC and Hanoi expat community groups on Facebook are active and candid. Recommendations carry real weight.
• Building management: serviced apartments and expat-oriented condos often maintain a roster of vetted staff or can make introductions.
• Word of mouth: the most reliable route once you have a network. A departing expat's trusted staff member is a common, lower-risk option.

Common pitfalls

• No written agreement: misunderstandings about days off, duties, and Tet bonus are the most common source of friction. A simple one-page agreement in Vietnamese and English reduces conflict.
• Skipping the probation period: most contracts allow a probation phase. Use it. Ending an arrangement after one week is far easier than after three months.
• Paying well above market without clarity: paying significantly above local norms can attract candidates who leave quickly once they find the work demanding. Confirm what duties are expected before agreeing on rate.
• Not budgeting social insurance: full-time employees are legally entitled to social-insurance contributions. Ignoring this creates retroactive liability.
• Language gaps leading to safety issues: for nannies especially, establish clear emergency protocols and confirm the nanny has a working phone and key contact numbers saved.

Related

• Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City
• Cost of living in Hanoi
• Hiring locally in Vietnam
• Renting an apartment in HCMC
• Banking for expats in Vietnam