Moving to Vietnam at 43, looking for work advice in construction/project management
Hi all, I'm seriously considering relocating to Vietnam and would love some advice from people with boots on the ground.
A bit about my background: I've been in construction my whole life in Spain and the UK. I became a site manager at 23, added electromechanical experience along the way, and have been running my own company for the past 13 years covering new builds, renovations, and industrial/commercial projects. I've also built and managed a brand on Amazon, so I'm comfortable with this side of business too.
A few questions I'm hoping the community can help with:
- Is there demand for experienced Western construction PMs or site managers, particularly with electromechanical knowledge? I've seen references to a lot of foreign-invested development projects in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
- What's the realistic visa/work permit situation for someone wanting to work legally in construction management?
- Are international contractors or developers (e.g. Singaporean, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, European firms operating there) more likely to hire someone with my profile than local companies?
- Would my Amazon/e-commerce experience open any parallel doors while I get established?
- Any expat communities or specific subreddits, Facebook groups, or forums worth joining for leads?
I'm not looking for a teaching job; I want to use my actual skills where they are needed. Any honest advice, including the hard truths, is very welcome.
Thanks in advance.