Vietnam Labour Law: Prior Notice Period on Unilateral Termination of Employment Contracts

Companies doing Business in Vietnam need to be aware of the country’s labour regulations on the prior notice period for the unilateral termination of labour contracts. This is relevant for international companies appointing managing officers in subsidiaries, branches or representative offices in Vietnam.

For some special works and lines of business there are extended deadlines. These include:

• Aviation: aircrew members, aircraft maintenance technicians, aviation repairmen, flight coordinators
• Marine: crewmembers working on Vietnamese vessels operating overseas, crewmembers dispatched to foreign vessels by Vietnamese agencies
• Business: the owner, chairperson or member of the board of members, president or member of the board of directors, director, general director or deputy director, chief accountant

Under Vietnamese labour law, certain deadlines must be observed when a contract is unilaterally terminated. We know the pitfalls. Contact us.

Vu Manh Quynh, Managing Partner, ECOVIS Orient Counsel/ECOVIS Vietnam Law, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

What Must Companies Know?

• The notice period before unilaterally terminating a labour contract for special works and lines of business is substantially longer than in other areas.
• If an employee or employer unilaterally terminates an employment contract, a specific period of notice must be observed before the termination date (see table).

For further information please contact:

Vu Manh Quynh, Managing Partner, ECOVIS Orient Counsel/ECOVIS Vietnam Law, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Email: quynh.vu@ecovislaw.vn