[DigitalToday reporter Choi Jae-won] U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla is recruiting employees in Vietnam, stepping up its entry into the local market. Competition with domestic EV maker VinFast, which dominates Vietnam's auto market, is expected to be tough.

Electrek reported on Oct. 28 that Tesla Asia-Pacific recruiting manager Ricky Ip said on X (Twitter) that the company was entering Vietnam and had started hiring local staff.

The company is hiring for five positions: sales manager, service manager, HR officer, procurement manager and charging project developer. Its recruitment for charging infrastructure staff has led to analysis that Tesla is also preparing to build a local Supercharger network.

Tesla set up Tesla Motors Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 11. It registered capital of about 7.77 billion dong (402,486,000 won) and registered its business scope as the import, distribution and sale of cars and parts.

Tesla has not yet disclosed the models and prices it will launch in Vietnam, store locations or the start date for sales. A local production plan has also not been confirmed, raising the possibility that it will initially sell imported vehicles.

Its biggest rival is local EV maker VinFast. VinFast delivered 177,697 vehicles in Vietnam from January to September, accounting for about 36 percent of the overall new-car market. That is more than the combined sales of five major brands including Toyota, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Ford and Kia.

VinFast has production facilities in Hai Phong and has also secured an edge in charging infrastructure through affiliate V-Green. Tesla, by contrast, needs to address import tariffs and a relatively limited proprietary charging network.

Vietnam's government has extended the exemption of first registration fees for pure electric vehicles through the end of 2030, a positive factor. The benefit also applies to imported EVs.

VinFast's sales include vehicles supplied to GSM, an affiliated electric taxi and ride-hailing company, and need to be distinguished from competitiveness among general consumers.

How quickly Tesla can build sales operations and a charging network in Vietnam is expected to determine competition with VinFast.