Vietnam: Minimum Wages on the Rise in 2018

February 12, 2018 Posted by Vietnam Briefing Written by Koushan Das Reading Time: 2 minutes

In 2018, Vietnam along with several ASEAN countries will see a rise in their minimum wages to support the rising costs of living. The region’s growth in the past few years has been largely attributed to the manufacturing industry, driven by low labor costs. As more investors adopt the “China Plus One” strategy, understanding the rise in wages will be crucial for maintaining the delicate balance between labor costs and productivity in Vietnam and its neighboring countries.

Business Intelligence

Vietnam’s rising minimum wages

Vietnam has revised the minimum wage caps in effect from January 2018. Currently, there are two kinds of minimum wages.

Common Minimum Wage

The first type is the common minimum wage, which is used to calculate salaries for employees in state-owned organizations and enterprises. The common minimum wage has been increased by 90,000 VND/month from 1,300,000 VND /month (US$ 57) to 1,390,000 VND /month (US$ 61), in effect from 1 July 2018.

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Regional minimum salary

The second type of minimum wage is used for employees in all non-state enterprises and is based on regions as defined by the government. From 1 Jan 2018, the National Wages Council has finalized the regional minimum salary rates for 2018, as follows:

Region I: VND 3,980,000/month;
Region II: VND 3,530,000/ month;
Region III: VND 3,090,000/ month;
Region IV: VND 2,760,000/ month.

Region I covers the rural and urban districts of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Bien Hoa City, Thu Dau Mot City, Vung Tau City of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, and some rural districts of Dong Nai and Binh Duong Province. Region II covers the remaining rural districts of Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hai Duong City, Hung Yen City, and some rural districts of Hung Yen Province. Region III covers the remaining provincial cities, Chi Linh town, and some rural districts of Hai Duong and Vinh Phuc Province. Region IV covers the remaining localities.

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ASEAN minimum wages

In 2018, almost all the ASEAN nations will see a rise in minimum wages. Laos and Myanmar have already proposed new wages, while Malaysia is currently deciding on the new minimum wage structure.

ASEAN Minimum Wages
	2017 Minimum Wages (Local currency/month)	2017 Minimum Wages (USD/month)	2018 Revised Minimum Wages (Local currency/month)	2018 Revised Minimum Wages (USD/month)	Status
Vietnam	2,580,000 to 3,750,000	114.29 to 166.13	2,760,000 to 3,980,000	122.27 to 176.31	In effect 1st January 2018
Philippines	7290 to 15,360	140.26 to 295.53	7680 to 9300 (only for Region I – Ilocos)t	147.76 to 178.94 (only for Region I – Ilocos)	In effect 25th January 2018
Thailand	9000 to 9300	285.39 to 294.90	9240 to 9900	293 to 313.39	In effect 1st April 2018
Malaysia	920 to 1000	233.83 to 254.16	Same as 2017	Same as 2017	Government working on revised rates for 2018
Cambodia	612000	153	680000	170	In effect 1st January 2018
Indonesia	1,337,745 to 3,355,750	99.80 to 250.35	1,560,000 to 3,920,000	109.20 to 274.40	In effect 1st January 2018
Laos	900000	108	1200000	144	Under consideration
Myanmar	108000	81	144000	108	Under consideration
Exchange rate as of 13th Feb, 2018

Impact of rising wages

Wage increases often lead to an increase in consumer spending. With the domestic market growing in Vietnam and other ASEAN member states, the rising minimum wages will lead to an increase in consumption and offset any reduced investment and net exports to a certain extent. However, countries have to maintain the delicate balance between inflation, wage levels, and productivity so as to not to disrupt the overall labor market.

Low labor costs as a competitive factor, is not sustainable in the long-term and one should focus on the development of the service industry, high-tech industries, and domestic consumption for a sustainable growth like China.

Vietnam Briefing is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia and maintains offices in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and Russia.