Vietnam will be the most desirable destination for outsourced services ahead of China and India by  2012, claims Paul Smith, managing director of Harvey Nash outsourcing.

With the addition of business  process outsourcing to its service line following the acquisition of Ho Chi Minh City-based SilkRoad Systems, the global recruitment consultancy forecasts a pending boom in the region as investment moves away from traditional offshore locations. Vietnam is already Asia’s fastest growing market outside China and this growth is set to  continue, claims Smith, thanks to its young and highly-skilled workforce.

Vietnam had the second highest GDP growth after  China with 8.4% in 2005 and 2006, and is now the third  largest offshore software services destination in South East Asia.

We’re pleased to have established a strong and early presence in the  region, but don’t expect to be the exception for long, as more and more  businesses look to Vietnam for future offshore  expansion,” commented Smith.