How To Hire Software Engineers/Developers in Vietnam? 

Let’s face it: finding the right software developer to hire for a startup, especially in its early stages, is no easy task. With limited resources and a bare-bones team structure, startups often struggle to compete with established companies when it comes to offering perks, salaries, and career stability.

Even if a startup manages to offer competitive packages, many developers still gravitate toward larger organizations that promise steady growth, better benefits, and a more predictable career path.

But here’s the good news: there’s a proven alternative. In recent years, many early-stage startups have turned to outsourcing their development needs to third-party teams. Big names like Slack and WhatsApp relied on outsourced talent during their early days—and look where they are now!

Outsourcing has become a game-changer in the industry, allowing companies to hire software engineers without the overhead of full-time employees. According to a 2023 Clutch survey, 83% of small businesses plan to maintain or increase their spending on outsourced services this year. And the trend isn’t slowing down. The Business Research Company predicts the IT outsourcing market will grow to $171.5 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%.

With these numbers in mind, it’s clear that outsourcing is here to stay—and it’s a powerful strategy for startups looking to compete and grow. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, outsourcing your development team might just be the solution you need.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to hire developers for your startup, overcome common hiring challenges, and save costs while securing top talent.

I. 7 Steps to Hiring Developers for Your Startup

When you’re building a startup, hiring the right developers can make or break your success. But without a clear plan, you could end up wasting time on endless interviews—or worse, hiring the wrong person.

To make the process smoother, we’ve put together a simple 7-step guide to help you find and hire top-notch developers for your startup.

Hire software developer

Step 1: Define Your Business Needs

Every startup is different, and so are its hiring needs. Before you start searching for developers, take a step back and ask yourself:

• Do you need developers to build an MVP quickly?
• Are you looking for iOS specialists to launch an app on the Apple Store?
• Do you want web developers to create a user-friendly website?
• Is your current team missing expertise in a specific technology?

If you already have a development team but need extra hands, outsourcing can be a great way to bring in specialized expertise without hiring full-time employees.

By clearly defining your needs upfront, you’ll have a better idea of what kind of developers to look for and how much you should budget.

Step 2: Choose the Right Employment Model

Once you know what you need, it’s time to decide how you want to hire. There are three main models to consider:

1. Project-Based Model

Best suited for small, well-defined projects with clear requirements.

• You hand over the entire development process to an outsourced team.
• Developers work within a fixed budget and timeline.
• Less flexibility—making changes later can be difficult.

2. Dedicated Team Model

Ideal for startups that need long-term, flexible development.

• You get a team of developers who work exclusively on your project.
• You can communicate directly with them and make changes along the way.
• Requires ongoing investment, as developers work with you for a set period.

3. Extended Team (Staff Augmentation) Model

Best for startups that already have an in-house team but need extra skills.

• You keep full control over development while outsourcing specific tasks.
• Great for filling skill gaps without hiring full-time employees.
• Requires strong internal project management to integrate outsourced developers.

Choosing the right model will help you optimize costs and efficiency while ensuring you get the right talent for your project.

Step 3: Decide Which Country to Hire From

Not all countries offer the same balance of cost, quality, and convenience when it comes to hiring developers. Here’s a quick comparison:

If you’re looking for the best combination of affordability and quality, Vietnam is a strong choice. Software developers in Vietnam offer high-quality work at competitive rates, making it an excellent outsourcing destination. Whether you need a software engineer in Vietnam for a short-term project or long-term collaboration, the country provides a deep talent pool of skilled professionals.

Step 4: Find the Right Specialists

Before you can hire software engineers for your startup, you need to find the right candidates. If you don’t know where to start, the process can feel overwhelming. Some founders turn to recruitment agencies, but these services can be expensive and may not always align with your exact needs.

For startups, a direct search is often the best approach. Whether you’re looking for a software developer in Vietnam or a global specialist, here are some of the most effective places to find developers:

If you’re looking for individual developers and want flexibility in hiring, platforms like:

• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Guru

…are great places to start. These marketplaces allow you to filter candidates by skill set, experience level, and pricing model (hourly or per project). This makes it easier to find developers who fit your budget and requirements.

Later in this article, we’ll provide a deeper comparison of these marketplaces to help you choose the best one for your needs.

If you prefer working with a dedicated development team, check out platforms like:

• Clutch – Features client reviews of IT development agencies, helping you assess credibility.
• GoodFirms – Lists top-rated software firms by category and region.
• SoftwareWorld – Offers curated lists of IT development agencies based on expertise and location.

These platforms make it easy to compare agencies, read client testimonials, and choose a team that aligns with your startup’s goals.

And, of course, since this article is published by an experienced IT development agency, we may already have the right developers for your project! If you’re looking for reliable, high-quality tech talent, feel free to contact us—we’d be happy to help.

Step 5: Verify Their Expertise

Whether you’re hiring a freelancer or a development agency, it’s crucial to verify their skills and experience before making a commitment. Here’s how:

If you’re hiring through platforms like Upwork or Guru to hire a software developer, take the time to:

• Read reviews from previous clients – Look for consistent positive feedback.
• Check their work history – Have they successfully completed similar projects?
• Ask for a portfolio – Reviewing past work gives you insight into their capabilities.

This filtering process helps you avoid hiring developers who lack the necessary skills for your project.

If you’re considering a software development firm, apply the same due diligence:

• Read client testimonials – Clutch and GoodFirms provide verified reviews.
• Ask for case studies – Reputable agencies should be able to provide real-world examples of their work.
• Reach out to past clients – If possible, get direct feedback from startups that have worked with them.
• Check LinkedIn profiles – A company’s LinkedIn presence can provide insights into its reputation and expertise.

Taking these steps ensures you select experienced professionals who can deliver high-quality results.

Hire a software development team

Step 6: Conduct Interviews

Finding a software developer to hire with the right skills is important, but technical ability alone isn’t enough. You also need to assess how well they fit your startup’s culture and workflow.

What to Cover in the Interview

1. Technical Skills – Ask about their experience with relevant programming languages, frameworks, and tools.
2. Problem-Solving Ability – Give them a real-world coding challenge or ask how they would tackle a specific issue.
3. Previous Projects – Learn about their role in past projects and how they contributed to success.
4. Communication & Collaboration – Can they clearly explain their ideas? Are they comfortable working in a team?
5. Adaptability – Startups often require quick pivots. Ask how they handle changing requirements.

How to Compare Candidates

• Prepare a list of key questions in advance.
• Take notes on each candidate’s responses.
• Compare candidates not just on technical expertise, but also on soft skills (problem-solving, teamwork, and reliability).

If you’re hiring for a long-term role, consider running a small test project before making a final decision. This allows you to see how they work in a real setting.

Step 7: Start Working Together

Once you’ve found your ideal developer (or team), it’s time to finalize the hiring process and kick off the project.

1. Define clear expectations – Outline the project scope, deliverables, and timelines.
2. Sign a contract – Ensure legal protection for both parties, covering payment terms, confidentiality, and intellectual property rights.
3. Set up communication channels – Use tools like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams for smooth collaboration.
4. Use project management software – Platforms like Jira, Trello, or Asana help track progress and keep everyone aligned.
5. Schedule regular check-ins – Frequent updates and feedback loops help avoid miscommunication and ensure progress stays on track.

A well-structured onboarding process sets the foundation for a productive and successful working relationship.

II. Essential Skills to Look for When Hiring a Software Developer

Bringing a software developer into your team is more than just checking their technical abilities. The best developers have a combination of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and strong collaboration habits that make them valuable assets to any project.

Before making a hiring decision, here are the key skills and characteristics you should look for in a software developer.

Strong Communication Skills

With the rise of remote and hybrid work, communication has become more important than ever. According to Demandsage, 14% of employees work fully remotely, while 29% operate in a hybrid environment.

In software development, clear communication is essential for:

• Collaborating with other developers
• Working with non-technical roles like designers, QAs, and product managers
• Sharing ideas and processing feedback effectively

A developer who can clearly explain their thoughts and understand project requirements will help ensure smoother development cycles and fewer misunderstandings.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Teamwork goes beyond just communication—it’s about how well a developer integrates into your business processes and culture.

Even if coding is done individually, software development is always a collaborative effort. Developers need to:

• Participate in code reviews to maintain high coding standards
• Engage in pair programming for knowledge-sharing and mentorship
• Work with other departments to align technical solutions with business goals

According to research, teams that collaborate effectively rate themselves 81% more successful, and leadership rates them 61% higher. This highlights the importance of hiring developers who can work well with others.

Specialized Technical Skills

The trend in software hiring has shifted toward skills-based evaluations, where hands-on experience is often valued more than formal degrees.

A 2024 TestGorilla report found that 81% of companies now use skills-based hiring, and in the tech industry, that number jumps to 88%.

When hiring a developer, make sure to:

• Review their portfolio or GitHub to see real-world projects they’ve worked on
• Verify their knowledge with a test or coding challenge, especially for advanced roles in AI, data science, or cybersecurity

This approach ensures that you’re hiring based on actual capabilities rather than just credentials.

Software developer to hire

Problem-Solving Ability

Software development is rarely a straightforward process—it often requires critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

A strong developer should be able to:

• Analyze an issue and break it down into manageable parts
• Identify the root cause of a problem
• Develop and implement effective solutions

According to Robert Half, 90% of tech hiring managers struggle to find professionals with strong problem-solving skills. By testing a candidate’s ability to troubleshoot real-world scenarios, you can avoid hiring someone who may struggle under pressure.

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

The tech industry is constantly evolving, with breakthroughs in machine learning, cloud computing, and cybersecurity emerging every year.

A great developer is someone who:

• Stays updated with new technologies
• Participates in coding boot camps, workshops, or side projects
• Learns from mentorship or peer collaboration

Hiring developers who embrace continuous learning ensures your team remains competitive and innovative.

Attention to Detail

Quality software development requires precision and accuracy. Developers who pay attention to detail can:

• Write clean, efficient code that’s easy to maintain
• Produce well-documented code for future developers
• Reduce bugs and security risks, saving time and money on fixes

A small mistake in code can lead to major system failures, security vulnerabilities, or unnecessary debugging. Prioritizing candidates who focus on quality from the start will help prevent costly errors down the road.

III. Common Challenges in Recruiting Software Developers

Recruiting software developers isn’t without its hurdles. Here are some of the most common challenges startups face—and how to tackle them:

1. Recruiters Who Lack Technical Knowledge
   For a successful hiring process, your recruiters need to understand the roles they’re filling. Without this knowledge, they can’t ask the right questions or identify the best candidates.

2. Looking in the Wrong Places
   Finding the right developers means knowing where to look. Depending on the technologies you need, there are specific online communities, forums, and job boards tailored to software developers.

3. High Recruitment Costs
   A solid recruitment strategy often comes with a price tag. It’s essential to weigh the costs against your budget and determine how much you’re willing to invest in finding the right talent.

4. Fierce Competition
   You’re not the only one searching for top-tier developers. To stand out, you’ll need to offer more than just a job—think unique perks, a compelling mission, or a standout company culture.

5. Slow Recruitment Processes
   In today’s fast-paced job market, delays can cost you top candidates. Streamline your hiring process and maintain clear, consistent communication to keep candidates engaged and interested.

Conclusion

Hiring the right software developer is a game-changer for your startup. By focusing on technical skills, problem-solving ability, and adaptability, you can build a high-performing development team that drives innovation and success. Whether you’re looking for freelancers or a dedicated software development team, following a structured hiring approach ensures you bring in top-tier talent that aligns with your business goals.

Need expert developers to bring your vision to life? TECHVIFY specializes in helping startups and businesses hire software developers with top-tier expertise. Whether you’re looking for a software developer in Vietnam or assembling a global team, we provide cost-effective, high-quality development solutions tailored to your needs.