India or Vietnam: where should a Japanese company offshore?
Vietnam is the most common offshore destination for Japanese companies, followed by China, the Philippines and India. Each has real strengths. Here is a fair comparison of India and Vietnam.
When Vietnam fits
When you want many Japanese-speaking engineers in direct contact, standard web or mobile development at mid scale, and a long track record with Japanese firms.
When India fits
When you need senior talent in AI/LLM, data, cloud infrastructure or complex enterprise systems, plan to scale to a large team, or build for a global audience with English documentation.
- AI, machine learning and LLM features
- Cloud migration and architecture
- Large, long-running product development
- Products for global markets
Closing the Japanese-language gap
Language is the main concern with India. We place a Japanese-speaking bridge SE or coordinator at the front so requirements, reports and meetings happen in Japanese. English as the engineering language is an advantage: the team reads the latest technical documentation directly.
Side by side
| Factor | India | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rate (mid-level) | ¥350k–500k | ¥400k–550k |
| IT workforce | ~5.5 million (largest globally) | ~500 thousand |
| English | Working language | Limited; English speakers cost more |
| Japanese speakers | Few (bridged by bridge SEs) | Relatively many |
| AI / ML / data talent | Very deep | Limited |
| Cloud architects | Deep (global tech hubs) | Moderate |
| Time difference | 3.5 h (overlaps Japanese afternoon) | 2 h |
| Scaling to large teams | Easy | Up to mid-size |
| Track record with Japan | Growing | Extensive |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, India or Vietnam?
At mid-level India is slightly lower. For senior and AI talent India has far more supply, which often makes those roles cheaper still.
Is quality a concern with India?
Quality depends on the company and process, not the country. We rely on senior-led teams, automated testing, demos every two weeks and Japanese-language reporting.
Can we use both?
Yes. Some companies keep Japanese-facing work in Vietnam and AI or cloud work in India. We have collaborated with other vendors in such setups.
We will tell you honestly which fits your project
If India is not the right choice we will say so. Start with a 30-minute call.