Business · Companies · 15 hrs ago
92% of South Korean firms in Vietnam have no plans to leave
A survey found that 92% of South Korean companies in Vietnam do not plan to leave.
The Korea International Trade Association surveyed 113 companies operating in Vietnam between July 27 and September 16.
Vietnam’s monthly minimum wage rose 4.5 times from 2010 to 2024, reaching $205.30, while companies also cited government regulation and approval procedures as challenges.
Most companies said Vietnam still offers cost advantages over other countries, considering factors such as productivity, staffing, sourcing and logistics.
Many entered Vietnam to sell to its domestic market or use it as a base for Southeast Asia and exports to other countries.
59.3% expect their business conditions to improve over the next three to five years, and 71.7% expect Vietnam to remain a key overseas base.
The trade association says companies should review costs and returns across their operations and adapt how they work to changing conditions.
A survey found that 92.0% of South Korean companies operating in Vietnam have no plans to leave.
The companies cited cost advantages over other countries as the main reason for staying, despite rising labor costs and regulatory burdens.
The survey covered 113 South Korean companies in Vietnam from July 27 to September 16.
A Korea International Trade Association report said companies should review costs and improve operations to adapt to changing conditions.
- Who
- South Korean companies operating in Vietnam.
- What
- 92.0% said they had no intention of leaving Vietnam.
- When
- The survey ran from July 27 to September 16; the report was released on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Vietnam.
- Why
- 87.5% cited cost advantages over other countries as a reason to stay.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Korea International Trade Association surveyed 113 South Korean companies operating in Vietnam.
The Korea International Trade Association released a report on changes in the business environment for South Korean companies in Vietnam.
- Companies with no plans to leave
- 92.0%
- Survey respondents
- 113 South Korean companies
- Main reason for staying
- 87.5% cited cost advantages over other countries
- Monthly minimum wage in Vietnam
- Rose from $45.4 in 2010 to $205.3 in 2024
- Top reported business difficulty
- Government regulations, cited by 67.3% of respondents
- Future business outlook
- 59.3% expected improvement over the next three to five years
What people are saying
The sustainability of Vietnam businesses depends on using the advantages of existing locations while improving operational capabilities to meet changing conditions.
Rather than maintaining businesses based only on past cost advantages or expectations of future growth, companies should continuously review productivity, local demand, regulatory responses and organizational operations.