Average salary in Vietnam compared to Australia's national index

What is the average salary in Vietnam?

When an Australian reader asks about the average salary in Vietnam, they are usually trying to place a foreign pay figure against the familiar Australian benchmark. The Salary Index measures Australian full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, where 100 equals $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Unfortunately, our reference does not contain a precise average salary for Vietnam. We cannot invent a figure. Instead, we can explain how to think about the comparison using Australian state and industry differences as a lens.

Why no precise figure?

The on-site reference is built from Australian Bureau of Statistics data, Fair Work Ombudsman awards, and ATO tax tables. It does not include international salary surveys. The average salary in Vietnam varies by source (e.g., World Bank, ILO, local statistics offices) and by methodology (mean vs median, urban vs rural, formal vs informal sectors). Without a verified, consistent figure, any number would be misleading. The honest answer is that the average salary in Vietnam is uncertain from this reference.

Using the Australian index as a comparison tool

Even without a Vietnam number, you can use the index to understand relative pay levels. For example, Australia's national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, annualised $52,255, giving an index of 48.2. A casual worker gets $33.05 per hour (including loading). Entry-level award floors start at $25.74 per hour. These are the lowest legal pay rates in Australia. Most estimates place Vietnam's average salary well below these figures in nominal Australian dollar terms. However, cost of living in Vietnam is also much lower, so purchasing power may be different.

State differences in Australia

The index varies significantly by state and territory, reflecting local labour markets and industry mix. For instance:

• Australian Capital Territory has the highest index at 109.9 (annualised $119,090), driven by public administration and professional services.
• Western Australia follows at 106.9 ($115,825), boosted by mining and resources.
• New South Wales is 101.2 ($109,658), close to the national line.
• Victoria is 98.0 ($106,137), slightly below.
• Queensland is 97.9 ($106,064).
• South Australia is 94.6 ($102,450).
• Northern Territory is 95.2 ($103,173).
• Tasmania is the lowest at 88.6 ($96,008).

If you were to compare the average salary in Vietnam to Australian states, even Tasmania's index of 88.6 is likely higher than Vietnam's average in nominal terms. But the gap narrows when you consider that many Vietnamese workers are in lower-cost regions.

Industry differences in Australia

Industry is a stronger driver of pay than location. The index for selected industries:

• Mining: 154.7 (highest)
• Professional, scientific and technical: 114.7
• Education and training: 105.5
• Health care and social assistance: 97.8
• Retail trade: 75.9
• Accommodation and food services: 72.5 (lowest)

Vietnam's economy has a large manufacturing, agriculture, and services sector. Its average salary is likely closest to Australia's lower-index industries like retail or hospitality. But again, without a precise figure, this is only a rough orientation.

How to approach a real comparison

If you have a specific salary offer in Vietnam, you can convert it to Australian dollars and then compare it to the Australian index. For example, if the offer is 500 million Vietnamese dong per year, at an exchange rate of 16,000 VND to 1 AUD, that is about $31,250 AUD. That figure is below Australia's national minimum wage index of 48.2. But you must also consider:

• Cost of living: Rent, food, and services are cheaper in Vietnam, so the real purchasing power may be higher.
• Tax: Vietnam's personal income tax rates are lower than Australia's 2026–27 rates (nil to 18,200; 15% to 45,000; 30% to 135,000; 37% to 190,000; 45% above, plus 2% Medicare levy).
• Superannuation: Australia has a 12% super guarantee; Vietnam has a mandatory social insurance contribution (about 8% employee, 17.5% employer) that covers pension, health, and unemployment.

The bottom line

The average salary in Vietnam is not a figure we can give from this reference. The Salary Index is a tool for Australian earnings, not international comparisons. However, by understanding Australian state and industry indices, you can see that even Australia's lowest-paid industries and states are likely above Vietnam's average in nominal terms. For a meaningful comparison, always adjust for purchasing power and local conditions.

For more on how the index works, see how the index works. To explore state-by-state benchmarks, visit states. Industry breakdowns are available on industries.