Vietnam Offshore Development FAQ

Vietnam offers exceptional value for Australian businesses through:

• Cost efficiency: 60-70% cost savings compared to Australian developers
• Technical expertise: Strong education system producing 50,000+ IT graduates annually
• Time zone overlap: 3-4 hours behind Australian EST, enabling real-time collaboration
• Cultural compatibility: Strong work ethic and excellent English proficiency
• Government support: Significant investment in tech infrastructure and education

Vietnamese teams excel across the full development spectrum:

• Web applications: React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, Python, PHP
• Mobile development: iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter
• Cloud engineering: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud migration and optimization
• AI/ML projects: Machine learning models, data analytics, automation
• Enterprise software: Large-scale business applications and integrations
• Specialized domains: Fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, SaaS platforms

Our evaluation methodology focuses on 8 key criteria:

• Technical expertise: Portfolio quality and technology stack proficiency
• Communication skills: English proficiency and responsiveness
• Security practices: Data protection and compliance standards
• International experience: Track record with overseas clients
• Team stability: Employee retention and company longevity
• Financial stability: Business health and growth trajectory
• Client references: Verified testimonials and case studies
• Cultural fit: Understanding of Australian business practices

Vietnamese development costs vary by experience level and project complexity:

Note: These are typical ranges. Actual costs depend on specific skills, experience, and project requirements.

Transparent pricing is key. Consider these potential additional costs:

• Project management: Dedicated PM or scrum master (10-15% of development cost)
• Communication tools: Slack, Zoom, Jira licenses (typically $50-200/month)
• Travel costs: Optional site visits for team building (flights $500-1,000)
• Legal/compliance: Contracts, IP protection, security audits ($2,000-5,000 one-time)
• Training/onboarding: Domain knowledge transfer (varies by project)

Reputable companies provide detailed cost breakdowns upfront with no hidden fees.

Three main pricing structures are common:

• Dedicated team: Monthly rate per developer (most popular for long-term projects)
• Fixed price: Agreed upfront for well-defined project scope
• Time & materials: Hourly rates for flexible, evolving requirements

Dedicated teams offer the best value for ongoing development work, providing consistency and deeper domain knowledge over time.

Vietnam is 3-4 hours behind Australian EST, which actually facilitates collaboration:

• Morning overlap: 9am-1pm Sydney time = 6am-10am Vietnam time
• Afternoon handover: End of Vietnam day aligns with Australian afternoon
• Extended coverage: Teams can provide support during Australian business hours
• Flexible scheduling: Most teams adjust working hours for better overlap

Many companies offer dedicated overlap hours and weekend support for critical projects.

Quality assurance is built into our recommended approach:

• Code reviews: Mandatory peer reviews for all code changes
• Testing protocols: Automated testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing
• Regular demos: Bi-weekly or monthly progress demonstrations
• Milestone payments: Payment tied to deliverable acceptance
• Escrow arrangements: Secure payment holding until satisfaction
• Team replacement: Option to change team members if needed

Clear contracts should include quality standards, acceptance criteria, and dispute resolution processes.

IP protection requires proper legal framework and security practices:

• Comprehensive contracts: Detailed IP assignment and confidentiality agreements
• NDA protection: Signed by all team members before project start
• Secure development: VPN access, code repositories, encrypted communications
• Access control: Limited repository access, role-based permissions
• Legal jurisdiction: Australian law governing contracts where possible
• Regular audits: Security assessments and compliance checks

Work with established companies that have proven track records with international clients and understand IP protection requirements.

Timeline varies by project complexity and team availability:

• Initial consultation: 1-2 weeks (requirements gathering, team matching)
• Contract negotiation: 1-2 weeks (legal review, IP agreements)
• Team setup: 2-4 weeks (recruitment if needed, onboarding)
• Project kickoff: 1 week (environment setup, planning)

Total timeline: 1-2 months from initial contact to development start. Existing teams can start faster, sometimes within 2-3 weeks.

Site visits are beneficial but not required for success:

• Remote-first approach: Modern tools enable effective remote collaboration
• Video conferencing: Regular face-to-face meetings build relationships
• Team building: Optional visits can strengthen partnerships (recommended annually)
• Cost considerations: Flights $500-1,000, hotels $50-150/night
• Visa requirements: Tourist visa available for Australians (15-30 days)

Many successful partnerships operate entirely remotely, with visits reserved for major milestones or relationship building.

Prepare these key documents for efficient evaluation:

• Project requirements: Detailed scope, technical specifications, user stories
• Timeline expectations: Project duration, milestones, launch dates
• Budget range: Approximate budget or cost expectations
• Team preferences: Desired team size, skill requirements, experience level
• Communication preferences: Meeting frequency, reporting structure, tools
• Technical environment: Technology stack, existing systems, integration requirements
• Legal requirements: IP protection needs, compliance standards, security requirements

The more detailed your requirements, the better companies can assess fit and provide accurate proposals.