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Many foreigners work in Vietnam for years but do not receive their full financial benefits upon leaving. Besides salary, there are many other valuable benefits such as social insurance, unused vacation pay, bonuses, and contract payments. The problem isn't a lack of rights, but rather a failure to identify and address them at the right time. Once everything is over, claiming these benefits is often much more difficult and costly.
Many foreigners working in Vietnam focus only on their monthly salary without considering the overall financial benefits. In reality, besides salary, employees may have many other benefits arising from their employment contract and legal regulations.
Some important financial benefits that are often overlooked include:
Failing to fully recognize these benefits from the outset leads many people to focus only on receiving their final monthly salary, overlooking potentially larger benefits.
For foreign workers, social insurance is often the largest sum of money after many years of working in Vietnam. According to the 2014 Social Insurance Law and guiding documents such as Decree 143/2018/ND-CP, foreign workers can receive a lump-sum social insurance payment upon termination of their contract and cessation of their residence in Vietnam.
However, in reality, many people are unaware of their right to this benefit or do not fully understand the conditions for claiming it. Some have returned to their home countries without completing the procedures, leading to more complicated processing due to the need for remote handling.
Social insurance payments are not automatic. Without proactively following the correct procedures, this payment can be delayed for a long time. This is why, despite contributing for many years, many people leave Vietnam without receiving any benefits.
Besides social insurance, an often overlooked expense is unused annual leave pay. According to Clause 1, Article 113 of the 2019 Labor Code, if an employee has not used all their leave days, the employer is responsible for compensating them in cash upon termination of the contract.
However, many foreigners do not keep track of their leave days or are unaware that this is a right that can be converted into cash. In some cases, this amount is not clearly mentioned during contract termination, making it easy to overlook.
In addition, remaining salaries, overtime pay, or allowances should also be carefully checked before leaving Vietnam. Failure to check could result in the loss of seemingly small amounts that add up to a significant sum.
Not all bonuses are arbitrary. In many employment or service contracts, bonuses may be explicitly stipulated based on KPIs, performance, or working hours. The problem is that these terms are often written in English or bilingually, but their interpretation and application depend on Vietnamese law. Without careful review, employees may not know their right to claim payment.
Furthermore, in service or freelance contracts, there may still be outstanding payments. If these are not clearly defined before the contract ends, claiming payment later will be more difficult, especially after leaving Vietnam.
In some cases, foreign workers may be entitled to severance pay if they meet the conditions stipulated by law. However, not everyone knows or understands when they are eligible. This severance pay is usually not as large as social insurance, but it is still a legitimate benefit. Lack of understanding of regulations or failure to request clarification from the employer can lead to missed opportunities.
In addition, other benefits such as reimbursement of expenses, deposits, or work-related costs should also be carefully reviewed before terminating the contract.
Foreign workers in Vietnam are not only entitled to a salary, but also to many other accompanying financial benefits. From social insurance (a significant amount), vacation pay, bonuses, to contractual payments, all need to be fully understood. Loss of benefits is not due to a lack of entitlement, but rather to a lack of knowledge and improper handling of these matters. With proper understanding and preparation, workers can fully receive what they are entitled to.
Are you currently working in Vietnam or preparing to leave Vietnam but unsure about your financial rights? Contact DEDICA for advice and support tailored to your specific situation.
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