Top 5 Reasons for Blockchain Development in Vietnam

Blog

Published September 26, 2025

A decade ago, few would have imagined Vietnam becoming a serious contender in the world of blockchain development. Known primarily for its manufacturing strength and outsourcing services, Vietnam was rarely mentioned in conversations about frontier technologies. Yet the story has changed dramatically. Today, the country is not only producing world-class developers but also creating blockchain innovations that capture global attention.

Behind it lies a unique blend of factors: a generation of young, tech-savvy engineers eager to master blockchain, a cost structure that appeals to startups and enterprises alike, and a startup ecosystem brimming with creativity. Vietnam is also leveraging its established reputation as an outsourcing hub to position itself as a trusted partner for international blockchain projects. Here are five reasons why international companies are increasingly turning to Vietnam for their blockchain development projects.

Skilled and Tech-Savvy Workforce

The country now employs over 1.2 million IT professionals across approximately 74,000 technology businesses, creating a strong foundation for advanced digital industries. Each year, Vietnamese universities train around 50,000 to 57,000 IT and computer science graduates, adding a steady stream of young talent to the market. However, only about 30% of these graduates are immediately ready to meet industry requirements, which highlights both the potential and the ongoing need for practical training.

When it comes specifically to blockchain development, Vietnam already has a notable talent base. Estimates show that there are more than 5,000 active Web3 and blockchain developers in the country. Many of these developers are self-taught through boot camps, online programs, and hands-on community initiatives such as hackathons, ETHVietnam, and Vietnam Blockchain Week.

Despite a forecasted shortage of 200,000 IT workers annually by 2025, Vietnam is actively working to close the skills gap. The government has set a target to produce 100,000 ICT graduates each year by 2030-2035, with at least 15% holding postgraduate qualifications. This long-term vision signals a strong commitment to creating a world-class tech workforce capable of supporting not only software outsourcing but also cutting-edge blockchain innovation.

Cost-Effective Development without Compromising Quality

The average hourly rate for hiring developers in Vietnam typically ranges from &10 – $28 per hour for junior engineers, $18 – $28 for mid-level professionals, $28 – $45 for senior specialists, and more than $80 for expert/lead positions. By contrast, similar roles in the United States or Western Europe often cost anywhere between $100 – $200 per hour. This means companies can save 50 – 70% on development costs while still gaining access to skilled engineers.

Vietnam offers lower overhead expenses, such as office space, utilities, and recruitment costs, which further reduce the total cost of ownership for blockchain projects. For instance, developing a mid-sized blockchain application in Hanoi is estimated to cost between $10,000 – $30,000, depending on features and complexity. This affordability allows businesses to experiment with minimum viable products (MVPs) and scale solutions without excessive financial risk.

Compared to other outsourcing hubs like India or Eastern Europe, Vietnam stands out by combining competitive costs with strong technical talent and a rapidly evolving blockchain ecosystem. For companies exploring Web3 initiatives, this balance of affordability and expertise makes Vietnam a highly strategic choice.

A Thriving Blockchain Development Community

Over the past few years, the country has seen a surge of blockchain meetups, hackathons, and conferences that bring together developers, entrepreneurs, and investors. Events like ETHVietnam, Vietnam Blockchain Summit, and Vietnam Blockchain Week attract thousands of participants and international speakers, turning the country into a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Online, Vietnamese developers are also among the most active contributors in Web3 forums, GitHub projects, and global hackathons. According to Chainalysis’s 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index, Vietnam ranked third worldwide in crypto adoption, reflecting the population’s openness to experimenting with blockchain-powered solutions. This enthusiasm translates into a robust community where talent can learn, test, and rapidly scale ideas.

The startup culture has strengthened this ecosystem. Vietnam has produced globally recognized blockchain projects such as Axie Infinity (Sky Mavis), which pioneered the play-to-earn gaming model and attracted millions of users worldwide. Success stories like these inspire younger developers and encourage investors to pour more resources into the local blockchain landscape.

A Dynamic Startup Ecosystem

Vietnam’s blockchain growth is inseparable from its rapidly expanding startup ecosystem. In recent years, the country has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most active startup hubs, supported by a young entrepreneurial population, increasing venture capital inflows, and government encouragement of digital innovation.

According to Do Ventures and NIC’s Vietnam Innovation & Tech Investment Report 2023, Vietnam attracted nearly $529 million in startup funding despite a global slowdown in venture capital. Fintech, gaming, and blockchain-related projects remain among the most attractive industries for both domestic and foreign investors. The success of Sky Mavis with Axie Infinity, Kyber Network in DeFi, and newer players in GameFi and NFT marketplaces showcases Vietnam’s ability to build and scale blockchain products to a global audience.

Incubators and accelerators are also playing a vital role. Programs such as VIISA (Vietnam Innovative Startup Accelerator) and support from large local tech firms provide mentoring, seed funding, and international connections to blockchain-focused startups. This ecosystem encourages experimentation, where even small teams of developers can turn ambitious ideas into market-ready solutions.

Strong Position as an IT Outsourcing Hub

Over the past two decades, the country has built a strong track record in IT outsourcing, with clients from Japan, South Korea, Asia, the United States, and Europe. This foundation in IT outsourcing has paved the way for blockchain-specific expertise to flourish.

According to the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA), Vietnam outsourcing industry has consistently grown 10 – 15% annually, with IT service exports contributing billions of dollars each year. Major global firms such as IBM, Microsoft, and Samsung already rely on Vietnamese talent for software solutions, demonstrating the industry’s maturity and reliability.

For blockchain-specific outsourcing, Vietnam provides a unique mix: cost-effective development, a rapidly growing talent base, and exposure to diverse projects through international collaborations. Companies can engage local teams for everything from smart contract development and DeFi platforms to NFT marketplaces and blockchain-based supply chain solutions. In short, Vietnam’s proven outsourcing capability provides international firms with confidence that their blockchain development needs will be handled with professionalism and reliability.

Read more: Top 5 Blockchain Countries in Asia

Practical Advice for Starting a Blockchain Development Project in Vietnam

Outsourcing blockchain development to Vietnam offers clear advantages, but to unlock real value, businesses need a structured approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide with actionable details:

1. Define Your Project Scope Clearly

Write down what problem your blockchain solution will solve (e.g., supply chain traceability, DeFi platform, NFT marketplace)

Specify whether you need end-to-end development or just specific components like smart contracts, auditing, or UX/UI

Prepare a list of must-have features and a timeline for MVP vs. Full product rollout

2. Select the Right Partner Strategically

Look for companies with blockchain-specific case studies, not just generic web/app projects

Verify their credentials: ISO 27001 for information security or CMMI Level 3+ for process maturity

Request code samples or GitHub repositories to evaluate coding quality and style

Interview the actual project team, not just sales reps, to confirm hands-on expertise in Solidity, Rust, or Go

3. Structure Your Engagement Model

Pilot/MVP first: Start with a 2 – 3 month project budgeted depending on scope

Use clear contracts: Include scope of work, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and penalty clauses for missed deadlines.

Decide in the engagement type:

Dedicated team (better for long-term blockchain products)

Fixed-price project (best for MVPs with clear scope)

4. Establish Strong Communication and Oversight

Set up project management tools (Jira, Trello, Asana) before work starts

Agree on weekly sprint reviews and daily stand-ups (even short ones via Slack/Zoom)

Assign a bilingual project coordinator if your team isn’t confident with English

Make use of version control (GitHub, GitLab) and request full access to repos for transparency

5. Ensure Security and Quality Control

Blockchain projects demand higher scrutiny, insist on:

Smart contract auditing (internal + external if budget allows)

Testnet deployment before mainnet launch

Automated testing & code review pipelines (CI/CD)

Ask the vendor to provide a bug bounty or warranty period (usually 1–3 months post-delivery) to cover post-launch fixes

6. Leverage Local Ecosystem Connections

Encourage your partner to tap into Vietnam’s hackathons, dev meetups, and blockchain summits for updated insights

Consider co-creating with a local startup accelerator to access innovative features (NFT utilities, DeFi protocols, GameFi integrations)

Network with VC-backed Vietnamese blockchain startups, many are open to joint ventures or pilot collaborations.

7. Think Long-term from The Start

Negotiate knowledge transfer: Ensure your internal team receives proper documentation and training

Secure agreements on intellectual property (IP) ownership upfront

Plan for scaling: Clarify whether the partner can expand the team quickly if your project grows

Conclusion

Years from now, Vietnam will be recognized as one of the places where the foundation of global blockchain development was quietly but firmly laid. What began as an unexpected rise, a handful of startups, and a few bold hackathons has already evolved into a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem.

The timeline is clear, those who act early will enjoy the compounding advantages of experience, trust, and market position. Those who hesitate may find themselves competing in a space where Vietnam is already crowded with first movers. The question for your project is simple: which side of that story will you be on?

Get in touch with Relipa for more insights about blockchain technology!