Seeking work/visa help

Hi everyone, I’m Sonny, I’m currently in the U.S. and looking to move to Vietnam to be with my fiancée. Da Nang is my first choice, but I’m open to other cities. I have over 20 years of restaurant management experience, including general manager roles with KFC, Burger King, and McDonald’s. My background is in running day-to-day operations, hiring and training staff, and managing labor and food costs. I have a high school diploma and extensive hands-on experience.
For those of you who moved to Vietnam and found work there, how did you find employers willing to hire someone from overseas and handle the work permit paperwork? I’m especially interested in restaurant, hotel, and hospitality operations roles where English is enough to get started. If you know of employers that consider management experience in place of a college degree, I’d appreciate any leads. That is my experience but I am open to any other possibilities and pride myself on being a quick learner.

If anyone has any advice or knows anyone looking for help or possibly point me in the right direction.

Thanks for any firsthand advice or leads you’re willing to share. - @Sonny the bewildered

Welcome to the Vietnam Forum, Sonny.

You've got a difficult, next to impossible road in front of you, as any employer must petition the government to be able to hire you as an expert to fill a position that can't be filled by a Vietnamese citizen.

Without spending any time going down that rabbit hole, I recommend you focus on the alternative: come over here and immediately marry your Fiancée.

You're going to make sure that you have all required documentation with you before you come to Vietnam, because the embassy and consulate here is no longer allowed to assist you with the notarization of documents from America for use in Vietnam.

Once you are married you immediately file for your marriage/spousal TRC (Temporary Resident Card).

Once you are here legally on a marriage TRC, you can be hired for work without petitioning the federal government (you will have a work permit exemption) although you/your employer must notify the local government about your proposed employment, and there are restrictions as to which fields within which you can be employed.

For instance, you cannot be employed as a bouncer or a security guard.

Good luck with your plans.

O.B.