Seasoned logistics expert left waiting over six months for Vietnam entry due to rigid rules, says EuroCham
A senior logistics expert with 25 years of industry experience was forced to wait more than half a year to enter Vietnam—because his university degree was in biology, not logistics. This striking case, revealed by EuroCham, has sparked renewed concern over Vietnam’s current visa and work permit policies, particularly among foreign professionals and multinational companies.
In a formal submission to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) raised serious objections to key aspects of the draft decree that aims to replace Decree 152—the regulation governing work permits for foreigners.
At the heart of the issue is Vietnam’s strict requirement that foreign experts hold formal academic qualifications relevant to their job title, even in rapidly evolving sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and digital transformation. EuroCham argues that this outdated standard disregards real-world expertise and hampers Vietnam’s competitiveness.
“The insistence on academic degrees in fields where they didn’t even exist a decade ago is unrealistic,” said EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert. “Forcing companies to spend over six months navigating red tape just to bring in a seasoned professional undermines business efficiency and innovation.”
The concern was echoed by EuroCham Vice-Chair Nguyen Hai Minh, who highlighted a global trend where professionals often study one subject but build their careers in another. “In today’s interdisciplinary world, experience should count as much as education,” Minh emphasized during a recent policy panel.
These remarks came at a high-level dialogue co-hosted by EuroCham and the Korean Chamber of Commerce on May 16 in Ho Chi Minh City—the only public consultation so far where foreign business representatives could engage directly with government officials on this issue.
The new draft decree is expected to be submitted to the Vietnamese government by May 31, 2025. While authorities have pledged to cut administrative procedures by at least 30 percent under the Prime Minister’s reform directive, concerns remain about whether the most pressing issues raised by the international community will be addressed.
One of EuroCham’s key recommendations is to allow technical professionals with at least five years of relevant experience to apply for work permits without being required to present diplomas or formal certifications. The chamber also called for removing burdensome requirements such as company charters, and urged greater clarity around exemptions for short-term assignments and intra-corporate transferees.
Despite government assurances that the experience-versus-degree requirement is under review, many foreign investors remain skeptical. With Vietnam aiming to attract high-quality foreign talent and investment, especially in high-tech sectors, many argue that its visa and labor policies must become more aligned with global best practices.
“The intention to streamline is welcome,” said Jaspaert. “But unless these policies become truly practical and business-friendly, Vietnam risks losing out in the global competition for talent.”
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Source: Vietnam Insider