Discover how nearshoring fintech operations to Vietnam unlocks faster innovation, enhanced risk management, and access to specialized talent – delivering meaningful returns well beyond cost savings.
Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a premier destination for fintech companies seeking to accelerate development and scale operations. Thanks to a strong talent pool, favorable time zone alignment, supportive government policies, and expanding digital infrastructure, nearshoring in Vietnam has become a strategic choice for fintech leaders aiming to boost agility and competitive advantage.
Unlocking Vietnam’s Fintech Talent Potential through Nearshoring
Vietnam boasts over 500,000 IT professionals and produces approximately 55,000 new engineering graduates annually. This highly skilled talent pool encompasses experts in blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, payments integration, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance – areas essential for fintech innovation and growth.
Vietnamese developers combine robust technical skills with bilingual capabilities and a cultural work ethos that enables effective collaboration with offshore clients. The country’s strong emphasis on IT education and ongoing upskilling programs ensures fintech teams in Vietnam stay at the forefront of agile methodologies and emerging technologies.
Complementing this talent pool are Vietnam’s modern technology parks and business-friendly environment, supported by tax incentives and government initiatives aimed at growing the country’s technology and fintech ecosystems.
The Time Zone Advantage Supporting Agile Delivery
Vietnam’s location within a favorable time zone window allows for real-time communication and collaboration with global fintech clients. This alignment enables daily stand-ups, immediate sprint reviews, and swift resolution of blockers, fostering rapid innovation cycles and enhanced product delivery.
For fintech products such as digital payment platforms, fraud detection systems, and digital lending solutions, this time zone proximity means faster feedback loops and more agile responses to market changes and regulatory requirements.
Mitigating Risks and Simplifying Regulatory Compliance
Nearshoring fintech operations in Vietnam also offers risk reduction benefits. The country’s stable political climate, legal frameworks aligned with international standards, and strong data privacy regulations provide a reliable environment for fintech companies.
Operating nearshore in Vietnam reduces exposure to logistical and geopolitical risks often faced with offshore models located further afield. Vietnam’s proximity allows for quick incident response and easier navigation of regulatory compliance, crucial factors for fintech firms focused on minimizing downtime and reputational risks.
Case Study: NAB in Vietnam
National Australia Bank (NAB) partnered with CBTW in 2019 to establish a Technology Delivery Center in Vietnam under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Starting from scratch, the team grew to 150 engineers in the first 18 months and surpassed 600 by the time of transfer, just 3.5 years later.
Today, NAB’s Vietnam presence exceeds 2,000 specialists.
These teams drive innovation across fintech domains, from digitized loan processes and fraud detection systems to mobile banking solutions, open data frameworks, and cloud-native infrastructure.
NAB’s journey illustrates how nearshoring in Vietnam – supported by CBTW’s BOT model – delivers rapid scale, operational efficiency, and long-term innovation capacity.
The impact of this collaboration is best captured in the words of NAB’s Chief Technology Officer:
“With the support of the CBTW APAC, we’ve been able to tap into the fast-growing technology talent in Vietnam which is helping NAB deliver critical projects which are improving experiences for our customers every day. Thank you to the CBTW APAC team for building and developing our innovation centre into the highly capable team it is today”
Steve Day, Chief Technology Officer of National Australia Bank (NAB)
Strategic Nearshoring: Unlocking Fintech Growth Through Regional Partnerships
To fully realize the benefits of fintech nearshoring in Vietnam, companies should:
- Choose partners with deep fintech domain experience and strong knowledge of local regulatory frameworks
- Focus on cultural compatibility to optimize communication and teamwork
- Define comprehensive KPIs beyond delivery speed, including innovation impact, alignment with strategic goals, and operational agility
- Invest in continuous team development and technology advancement with a focus on AI, cloud, and modern fintech tools
In addition, partnering with providers that implement structured frameworks such as CBTW’s Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model can further enhance scalability, operational control, and long-term success by establishing high-performing offshore teams efficiently and securely.
For fintech leaders, the choice is no longer whether to nearshore, but how to do it strategically. Vietnam provides the talent, infrastructure, and partnership models to make it a success.
