Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to key questions about software outsourcing, engagement models, Japanese quality standards, security compliance, and working with ISB Vietnam.

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General Questions

It depends on the scope and complexity of your project, but most clients are up and running within four to six weeks. The process typically starts with an NDA, followed by a requirements discussion, CV screening from our extensive talent pool, and interviews with shortlisted developers. Once the team is confirmed, we handle onboarding so you can focus on the work itself.

We offer flexible pricing models based on your requirements. The most common options are a dedicated team model, where you have full control over a committed team billed on a monthly basis, and project-based arrangements for more defined scopes. We can walk you through what makes sense for your situation during an initial call.

Cost & Pricing

It varies depending on team size, seniority, and project complexity. Vietnam offers some of the most competitive rates in the region without compromising on quality. Senior developers typically charge significantly less than their counterparts in the US, EU or Australia. We are happy to provide a cost estimate once we understand your requirements.

Beyond lower hourly rates, outsourcing removes the overhead of recruitment, benefits, office space, and HR administration. With IVC, you also skip the lengthy hiring cycle. You get a team that is ready to contribute quickly, with all the support infrastructure already in place.

Senior software developers in Vietnam typically charge $17 to $27 per hour, compared to $61 to $80 per hour for senior developers in the US, EU and Australia. Rates vary depending on seniority, technical stack, and engagement model. We are transparent about pricing from the start, so there are no surprises.

Both options are available. Fixed price works well when requirements are clearly defined upfront. Time and material gives you more flexibility as projects evolve. For longer engagements, our dedicated team model is billed monthly based on the developers assigned to your project.

Quality & Process

Quality is built into every stage of the process, not just the final review. We apply clear standards for software acceptance testing, unified development and test environments, and evidence-based communication throughout. As one of the earliest Japanese IT companies to obtain ISMS certification in Vietnam, quality management is central to how we operate.

Most of our teams work within Agile frameworks, adapting to the methodology that fits your project best. We also support Adaptive Software Development (ASD) for R&D projects where requirements shift frequently. The approach is always tailored to your workflow, not the other way around.

We use structured communication practices to keep projects on track regardless of time zone differences. This includes regular updates, scheduled syncs, and defined escalation paths so nothing falls through the cracks. Our teams have experience working with clients in the US, Australia, and Europe.

We start with signing an NDA and aligning on requirements, then move into team selection, interviews, and contract signing. Once onboarding is complete, development begins with clear role visibility, defined schedules, and regular check-ins. You have full visibility at every stage.

Code reviews are part of our standard process, not an optional add-on. We apply clear acceptance test standards and maintain unified development and test environments to catch issues early. QA is handled by a dedicated section within IVC, separate from the development team.

Working with Vietnam

Vietnam combines competitive rates with a strong and growing engineering talent pool. The country produces between 50,000 and 60,000 IT graduates annually, and the government actively supports the technology sector. For companies looking for reliable, long-term outsourcing partnerships, Vietnam has a well-established track record.

Most developers working with international clients have solid written English, which covers the majority of day-to-day communication: documentation, code reviews, and async updates. For client-facing roles, we also have a dedicated communication support team with strong English and Japanese language skills.

Vietnamese engineers tend to be detail-oriented, committed to deadlines, and highly collaborative within the team. One thing worth knowing is that direct pushback is less common culturally, so we actively build in feedback loops to make sure concerns surface early. This is something we address through structured communication practices from day one.

Japanese quality management is built on principles like continuous improvement (Kaizen) and structured, proactive communication (Horenso). At IVC, these are embedded into how we run projects. We leverage the best of Agile's daily standups and retrospectives through Horenso, ensuring transparency before misalignment can occur. Kaizen means we review not just what was built, but how it was built, improving the process with every iteration.

Yes. Vietnam has maintained strong economic and political stability over the past two decades, with consistent GDP growth and a government that actively supports foreign investment in the technology sector. Many global companies have built long-term engineering partnerships here, and IVC has been operating since 2003.

Security & Compliance

Every engagement starts with a signed NDA. We also include IP ownership clauses in our contracts to ensure full protection of your work. IVC was one of the earliest Japanese IT companies to obtain ISMS (ISO 27001) certification in Vietnam, so data protection is built into our processes at every level.

We maintain high security measures to protect customer data, including access controls, secure communication tools, and internal systems managed by a dedicated network and security section. Our ISO 27001 certification reflects a formal and auditable approach to information security management.

We work with clients across regulated industries including fintech, healthcare, and enterprise systems. Compliance requirements vary by project and region, and we address these during the contract phase. Our security practices align with international standards, and we are open to discussing specific compliance needs upfront.

ISO 27001 is the most important certification to look for. It means the partner has formal, auditable systems for managing information security. IVC holds this certification and was among the first Japanese IT companies in Vietnam to do so.

Getting Started

Ask about their QA process, how they handle communication across time zones, what happens when requirements change mid-project, and whether they can share references from similar engagements. You should also ask how they handle team changes and what their onboarding process looks like. A good partner will welcome these questions.

A project brief covering your goals, technical requirements, team size, timeline, and budget is enough to get the conversation going. The more context you can share, the more accurate our team recommendations and cost estimates will be. We will guide you through anything that is missing.

Absolutely. Starting with a focused pilot is something we actively encourage. It gives you a chance to evaluate the team's technical capabilities, communication style, and delivery quality before scaling up. Many of our longest partnerships began as small initial engagements.

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