[Ho Chi Minh City, Tuesday, 27 June 2025] On 26 May 2025, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) submitted a formal letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), offering key recommendations to the draft decree intended to replace Decree 152 – Vietnam’s current regulation governing work permits for foreign professionals.
This followed a high-level policy dialogue organised by EuroCham in close partnership with the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Kocham) on 16 May in Ho Chi Minh City. Titled “Policy Recommendations on Work Permit Regulations and the Amendment of Decree No. 152/2020/NĐ-CP,” the event was the only public consultation to date where government officials directly engaged with the international business community during this amendment process. The draft decree is scheduled for submission to the Government by 31 May 2025.
Experience vs. Degree: A Critical Barrier to Global Talent
At the core of EuroCham’s submission is a widely shared concern amongst the international business community: the rigid requirement for formal academic degrees when applying for expert work permits, even in fast-evolving sectors where such majors did not historically exist.
Businesses – particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation – have called for greater flexibility to recognise professional experience in lieu of academic credentials. As EuroCham Chairman Mr. Bruno Jaspaert noted at the recent Whitebook Launch, “It took more than six months of paperwork and waiting to bring in a logistics expert with 25 years of experience – just because he had a degree in biology. That is not just a cost burden; it slows down innovation and disrupts business operations.”
In the past few decades, these industries have advanced faster than formal education systems can adapt, and Vietnam risks missing out on world-class talent due to outdated administrative criteria. “It has been increasingly common for professionals to study one thing and build careers in another,” added EuroCham Vice-Chair Mr. Nguyễn Hải Minh during the panel Q&A with MOHA. “In today’s interdisciplinary world, we need to value experience as much as formal education.”
From left to right. Mr. Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Quyên, and Mr. Nguyễn Hải Minh
chairing the Q&A discussion
A Strategic Consultation with Government
Recognising EuroCham’s track record of delivering structured and impactful policy advice, MOHA specifically invited the Chamber to lead this special consultation. The session welcomed high-level government participation, including Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Quyên, Deputy Director General of the Department of Employment (MOHA); Mr. Phạm Anh Thắng, Deputy Chief of Office of MOHA and Head of the Southern Representative Office; and Mrs. Nguyễn Nữ Thanh Nhàn, Senior Official at the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Quyên sharing about the new draft decree on work permits
Mr. Phạm Anh Thắng and Mrs. Nguyễn Nữ Thanh Nhàn speaking at the EuroCham conference
This engagement is part of the Vietnamese Government’s broader efforts to streamline procedures and reduce administrative burdens – goals that have gained strong momentum since late 2024. Deputy Director General Quyên shared that the draft decree aligns with the Prime Minister’s directive to cut procedures by at least 30%, with some measures proposing up to 40% simplification.
Officials also acknowledged the degree-versus-experience concern and confirmed they are reviewing whether relevant work experience may substitute for academic degrees, especially in innovation-driven sectors.
Business Feedback that Informs Policy
During the session, Mrs. Trương Ngọc Diệp, EuroCham’s Advocacy Manager, and Mrs. Nguyễn Thùy Dương, representative of the Human Resources & Training Sector Committee, presented key recommendations. These included clarifying exemptions for intra-corporate transferees, simplifying short-term expert assignments, adjusting job posting requirements for Vietnamese labour, and standardising submission procedures.
Mrs. Trương Ngọc Diệp and Mrs. Nguyễn Thùy Dương voicing the feedback from
the business community and EuroCham’s policy recommendations
Representatives from the international business community shared real-life stories that help government officials understand the perspectives of both employers and employees. Furthermore, they suggested regulation updates to enhance business efficiency and drive more quality investments and knowledge transfer into Vietnam.
Driving Reforms Forward
The session reaffirmed EuroCham’s commitment to shaping a more predictable, transparent, and business-friendly regulatory landscape in Vietnam. Work permit reform is one of EuroCham’s Top 5 Must-Win Battles for 2025, as outlined in the Whitebook Launch 2025.
EuroCham Vice-Chair Jean-Jacques Bouflet praised the Government’s openness to dialogue: “This consultation is a vital step toward regulatory clarity and a competitive talent environment. We are proud to serve as a bridge between the European business community and Vietnamese policymakers.”
As Vietnam aspires to become a regional innovation hub, EuroCham stands ready to continue working with authorities to ensure that regulations evolve in line with the needs of a globalised, high-tech economy.
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About EuroCham Vietnam
Founded in 1998, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has established itself as the unified voice of the European business community in Vietnam. With offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we represent a diverse spectrum of companies, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to multinational corporations. EuroCham plays a crucial role in shaping policy dialogues, fostering bilateral trade and investment, and fortifying economic ties between Europe and Vietnam, particularly within the framework of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
EuroCham Vietnam boasts a substantial membership base comprising over 1,400 companies, solidifying its position as one of the largest foreign chambers operating in Vietnam. We function as the “chamber of chambers,” encompassing nine prominent national European business associations in Vietnam, which include:
- Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Beluxcham)
- Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CEEC)
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Portugal-Vietnam (CCIPV)
- Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV)
- French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vietnam (CCIFV)
- German Business Association (GBA)
- Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM)
- Nordic Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (Nordcham)
- Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (SCCV)
EuroCham’s diversified influence is underpinned by our extensive network of 19 specialised Sector Committees. Serving as think tanks within their respective industries, these committees provide invaluable expertise, steer policy recommendations, and stimulate industry-specific dialogues. This organisational framework guarantees that the concerns and viewpoints of diverse sectors are actively considered, thereby moulding EuroCham’s cross-sectoral agenda and magnifying its overall influence.
For more information about EuroCham, visit: www.eurochamvn.org.
For media enquiries, please contact:
EuroCham Vietnam Media & Communications Officer
Ms. Tram Hoang – tram.hoang@eurochamvn.org
