Hiring Software Developers in Vietnam vs. Colombia: Which Is the Better Fit for Your Business?

If you want software developers for cheap, you go to an Asian market like Vietnam, right? That may be true if “cheap” is the only factor you’re considering. But for cost-effective, high-quality engineers, US businesses are increasingly turning to Latin American countries like Colombia.

Vietnam tends to offer slightly lower price tags, but you’ll save on costs with developers in Colombia, too—and in terms of value, Colombia often wins, thanks to less communication friction and synchronized workflows. 

Both Vietnam and Colombia offer advantages. However, when speed and collaboration are priorities, should you hire software developers in Vietnam or Colombia?

Let’s take a closer look. 

Time Zone Alignment & Real-Time Collaboration

Time zone alignment matters for real-time collaboration with developers. Colombia is a nearshore development partner, while Vietnam is an offshore option.

Colombia is directly aligned with EST, making it easy to work with businesses in the US. Vietnam, in contrast, has a 12+ hour time difference with the US. That can be beneficial if you want to adhere to the “follow-the-sun” model, meaning you’ll have constant, 24/7 coverage. But for stronger collaboration, agile ceremonies, daily standups, iteration speed, emergency problem resolution, and synchronous communication, Colombia is the clear choice. 

Colombia is also physically located much closer to the US, just a several-hour flight from New York City. To get to Vietnam, it will take about a day of flying. So, if you want to collaborate or meet in person, working with developers in Colombia makes this much more feasible.

Cultural Alignment with U.S. Companies

Colombia’s general population is about half the size of Vietnam’s, so it comes as no surprise that its share of software developers is much smaller—about 65,000 to Vietnam’s several hundred thousand. But volume alone is not enough of a reason to deem Vietnam a better option.

Colombia’s robust talent pool also shares cultural alignment with the US, with similar business norms and collaboration styles. Given that many Colombian developers have experience working with US partners, they understand the expectations and are familiar with their work styles.

This cultural overlap is less prevalent in Vietnam, on the other side of the world. Business norms and expectations are different. That can make it difficult to work together seamlessly. Colombia’s alignment with US business standards makes the working relationship more fluid.

This is further evidenced by Colombia’s rapidly growing and thriving startup culture in hubs like Bogotá and Medellín. While Vietnam also has a strong emerging startup scene, Colombia’s nearshore alignment with the US makes it particularly primed for innovation in fields like fintech and AI.

Tech Ecosystem and Government Support

Both Colombia and Vietnam have strong tech ecosystems, with government-backed tech initiatives. Both are home to branches of global tech companies and invest in digital transformation. However, Vietnam emphasizes outsourcing, while Colombian developers can facilitate more of a partnership with US businesses. 

Data protection is another striking difference between the two countries’ tech scenes. Colombian data protection laws are more mature than Vietnam’s and closely mirror global standards. 2012’s General Data Protection Law and Decree 1377 of 2013 are key and ensure personal privacy, confidentiality, security, and more. Additional laws concern particular areas like finance and credit data.

Because these laws are heavily influenced by global standards like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the laws in neighboring LatAm countries, they are both robust and familiar to US businesses.

Vietnam’s data protection laws are newer and still evolving. The recently implemented 2026 Personal Data Protection Law (PDP Law) replaces a 2023 law and is the first comprehensive PDP law in Vietnam.  

The new law more closely aligns with international standards and addresses compliance gaps, as well as clarifies topics like data subject rights, cross-border transfers, data processing, and violations. Previously, data protection was fragmented and inconsistent, and compliance was deprioritized, without strong enforcement.  

It’s important for businesses to be aware of and understand how data protection in their developers’ countries works. Given the nature of their roles, you will be entrusting them with enormous amounts of sensitive information.

You need to know that there are measures in place to protect you and your consumers. While Vietnam is taking strides to improve its infrastructure, Colombia has a longstanding system in place and has stood the test of time.

Key Considerations When Hiring Software Developers in Vietnam AND Colombia

Whether you hire software developers in Vietnam or Colombia, there are several key considerations to have in mind. 

• Nearshore vs. offshore models
• Seniority level of the developers
• Flexibility and scalability
• English proficiency
• Availability of employer of record (EOR) services
• Contractors, full-time developers, or dedicated teams
• Ramp-up time
• Soft skills and technical skills
• Current tech stack
• Cost vs. value
• Ability to interview candidates directly

Conclusion: Hiring Software Developers in Vietnam vs. Colombia

When you’re thinking about cost alone, Vietnam may seem like the best option. Both Vietnam and Colombia offer rates that are considerably lower than in the US. But hiring from Vietnam can present hidden costs and complications. 

Colombia offers the best of all worlds: lower costs, specialized skills, and nearshore alignment. Want to get started?
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