Vietnam’s Next Growth Chapter: Where Does Global Talent Fit In?

For many overseas Vietnamese, returning to their homeland has traditionally been a decision shaped by family ties, cultural identity, or the desire to reconnect with their roots. Yet as Vietnam becomes more deeply integrated into the global economy, the decision to return may increasingly be driven by professional ambitions and business opportunities.

What capabilities does a growing economy need to sustain its momentum? What kinds of talent are Vietnamese companies looking for? And is international experience alone enough to succeed in Vietnam?

These were among the questions explored at Global Talent Salon 2026, held on October 21 in Paris, France, and October 24 in London, the United Kingdom. Co-organized by Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory and Vietcetera, the two events brought together business leaders, industry experts, and internationally experienced professionals to discuss Vietnam’s emerging opportunities.

Through perspectives spanning capital markets, executive recruitment, media, and personal entrepreneurial journeys, the conversations offered a broader look at the role of human capital in Vietnam’s next chapter of growth.

Where Are Vietnam’s Next Opportunities Emerging?

At Global Talent Salon Paris, Vu Huu Dien, Executive Chairman of HD Securities, shared his perspective on Vietnam’s evolving capital market, examining the country’s growing investment needs and the opportunities arising as its financial landscape becomes increasingly connected to international capital.

The development of capital markets has implications beyond financial institutions and investors. Access to capital can enable Vietnamese businesses to scale operations, develop new products, and pursue opportunities beyond domestic borders. Yet access to funding does not automatically translate into business success.

As companies transition from operating locally to competing across multiple markets, their leadership, governance, and operational requirements become more complex. The capabilities needed to manage an established business may not be the same as those required to lead it through rapid expansion. This is where human capital becomes particularly important.

Drawing on Vietcetera’s experience connecting founders, business leaders, and international partners, Hao Tran - CEO of Vietcetera, offered another perspective on Vietnam’s emerging opportunities and its growing connections with the global business community.

Career opportunities in Vietnam are not necessarily limited to securing a position at an established company. They can also involve building new businesses, developing cross-border partnerships, or introducing solutions to emerging market needs.

Taken together, these perspectives suggest that Vietnam’s growth story is not simply about attracting more investment. It is also about finding people with the expertise, leadership, and ambition to turn economic potential into tangible progress.

What Kind of Global Talent Are Vietnamese Companies Looking For?

If Vietnam’s evolving business landscape helps explain where opportunities are emerging, the next question is who will be equipped to seize them.

At the event, An Vo, Founding Partner & Managing Director of Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory, explored the changing demand for senior leadership talent in Vietnam, particularly as domestic companies seek specialized expertise and international experience.

As businesses expand, hiring needs increasingly extend beyond professionals who can manage existing operations. Companies also need leaders capable of shaping strategy, driving innovation, and guiding organizations through unfamiliar challenges. For such roles, international experience can provide a valuable advantage.

Professionals who have led digital transformation initiatives, developed products, or managed regional expansion in other markets may bring fresh perspectives and approaches to Vietnamese organizations. However, international experience does not automatically guarantee success in Vietnam.

A management model that works effectively in Europe may not translate seamlessly into a Vietnamese organization. Differences in workplace culture, decision-making processes, available resources, and organizational expectations can create challenges for professionals entering the local market.

Attracting talent, therefore, goes beyond hiring someone with an impressive international résumé. It requires identifying professionals whose expertise aligns with the company’s actual needs and operating environment.

Equally important is the organization's willingness to embrace new approaches, allowing international experience to be adapted rather than simply replicated.

For both employers and candidates, finding the right fit may matter just as much as finding the right opportunity.

Does Returning to Vietnam Mean Starting Over?

Beyond discussions of market opportunities and executive recruitment, Global Talent Salon Paris also featured the personal journey of Duc, a French entrepreneur of Vietnamese descent.

Having grown up in France, he maintained a desire to reconnect more deeply with his Vietnamese heritage. That connection eventually became one of the motivations behind his decision to explore professional and business opportunities in Vietnam.

What began as an opportunity in Vietnam gradually developed into a business presence across several Asian markets and France. His experience offers a different perspective on what it means to return to one's roots.

For someone who has already built a life and career abroad, choosing Vietnam does not necessarily mean leaving behind international connections or starting from scratch.

Instead, the experience, professional networks, and cultural understanding gained overseas can become valuable foundations for building businesses that operate across borders.

Of course, not every overseas Vietnamese professional shares the same motivations or follows a similar path. Some may be drawn by career advancement, others by entrepreneurship, while many simply want to reconnect with family and cultural identity.

Yet Duc's journey illustrates an important possibility: Vietnam can be more than a place to return to. It can also be a starting point for the next phase of a global career.

Vietnam’s Appeal Through An International Lens

The conversation continued at Global Talent Salon London on October 24, where participants further explored Vietnam's business environment, talent landscape, and future opportunities.

Among the perspectives shared was that of Jeff, who had previously organized educational trips to Vietnam. Reflecting on his experiences, he spoke about how the country continued to surprise him with its pace of development and the opportunities emerging across different sectors.

His observations offered a different perspective from those of overseas Vietnamese professionals. While cultural identity and family connections may encourage members of the Vietnamese diaspora to reconnect with their homeland, international professionals without those ties may be attracted by the changes they see taking place in the country. However, being interested in a market and deciding to build a long-term career there are two different things.

A fast-growing economy may present exciting possibilities, but it can also require professionals to navigate uncertainty, understand local business practices, and adjust to different workplace expectations.

For global talent considering Vietnam, the question is not simply how many opportunities exist. It is whether those opportunities align with their expertise, professional goals, and personal priorities.

Attracting Talent Is Only The Beginning

Across Paris and London, Global Talent Salon 2026 highlighted how Vietnam’s human capital story extends beyond encouraging overseas Vietnamese professionals to return home.

For businesses, the challenge lies in accessing the expertise and leadership capabilities needed to support their ambitions. For professionals, the decision involves balancing career opportunities with workplace culture, personal aspirations, and the ability to make a meaningful contribution.

From a broader perspective, developing domestic talent and attracting internationally experienced professionals do not have to be competing priorities.

Professionals with deep knowledge of Vietnam's local market and those with experience working abroad can bring complementary strengths, exchanging expertise, networks, and approaches that benefit both organizations and individuals.

This raises an important question: How can companies ensure that international experience becomes more than an advantage on a résumé and instead translates into meaningful value within Vietnamese organizations?

The two conversations in Paris and London may not have provided a definitive answer, but they helped expand the discussion around Vietnam’s place in the global talent landscape.

As the country continues to develop, attracting talent will remain important. Creating an environment where people can contribute, grow, and build lasting careers may prove just as essential.

After all, the appeal of a market is not measured solely by the opportunities it creates, but also by its ability to turn those opportunities into compelling reasons for people to come, contribute, and stay.

Global Talent Salon 2026 Co-organized by Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory and Vietcetera, Global Talent Salon 2026, themed The Human Capital Opportunity in Vietnam, is a panel discussion series taking place in Paris and London. The events aim to connect experienced overseas Vietnamese professionals with business leaders, including those who have returned to build their careers in Vietnam.Combining expert discussions with an intimate networking reception, the program will explore leadership opportunities, the value of international expertise, and practical considerations for professionals contemplating a career move to Vietnam.Thanks to Our Community PartnersGlobal Talent Salon 2026 would like to extend our sincere thanks to our community partners for their support in bringing these events to life.Paris: GCVF, Officience, and DVAN.
London: London Business School and VietSocials.