Vietnam Welding Certification: Global Credential Behind Excellency

Welding quality begins with certification. For European companies seeking reliable labour sources, understanding the Vietnam welding certification system is key to unlocking skilled, compliant, and contract-ready workers. From ISO 9606 and ASME IX to EN 1090 and PED-compliant procedures, Vietnam’s certification pipeline has evolved to meet the exacting standards of the international marketplace.

Vietnamese welders are not only trained to pass tests—they hold valid certifications and demonstrate consistent on-site performance under inspection-heavy conditions. These conditions are standard in industries such as shipbuilding, petrochemicals, food processing, and pressure piping. Therefore, this article explores the certification infrastructure, international recognition, industry alignment, and deployment processes that make Vietnam’s welding workforce globally competitive.

Why Vietnam Welding Certification Matters for EU Projects

In the European Union, welding is more than a trade—it is a regulated profession. Welds must comply with:

• EN ISO 9606-1: Welder qualification for steel
• EN 1090: Structural steel and aluminium compliance
• ASME Section IX: For pressure vessels and boilers
• ISO 3834: Welding quality requirements for fusion welding

Consequently, certified welders reduce the risk of weld failure, inspection rejections, and project delays. For companies importing manpower, ensuring that welders have the right Vietnam welding certification recognised under EU frameworks is critical to compliance and operational continuity.

Training and Testing Infrastructure in Vietnam

Vietnam has built a strong domestic infrastructure for welder training and certification, aligned with international norms. The key institutions include:

• Vietnam Welding Society (VWS) – Affiliated with IIW (International Institute of Welding), responsible for training standards.
• Labour Export Centres – Accredited training providers preparing candidates for overseas projects.
• Private technical schools and testing centres – These centres conduct ISO 9606 and ASME IX qualification tests.

Common Welding Certification Types for Export Welders

• ISO 9606-1: Manual arc (MMA), TIG, MIG/MAG pipe and plate
• ASME IX: For high-pressure welds in refineries, energy, and process industries
• EN 287 (legacy): Still valid in some ongoing contracts
• TÜV and DNV witnessed certs: For offshore and EU-bound work

Most skilled welders from Vietnam pursue dual certification to meet client-specific demands. For example, a welder may qualify in both ISO 9606 (Europe) and ASME IX (USA/international) standards.

How Vietnam Welding Certification Is Awarded

Welders undergo practical and theoretical evaluations administered by accredited institutions. The typical process includes:

1. Welding Test – Conducted per WPS (Welding Procedure Specification) provided by the certifying body
2. Visual Inspection (VT) – Assesses the surface quality of the weld
3. Non-Destructive Testing (RT, UT, PT) – Depends on joint type and project requirements
4. Documentation Review – Verifies welder ID, continuity logs, and qualification records

Qualified inspectors such as CSWIP 3.1, AWS-CWI, or TÜV-authorised personnel typically witness these tests and validate the results through formal Welder Qualification Test Records (WQTRs).

Validity, Renewal, and Recertification Protocols

• ISO 9606-1 certificates remain valid for 2 to 3 years, assuming continuity is maintained.
• Continuity Logs require welders to record activity every six months on the certified process.
• If discontinuity or repeated defects are observed, refresher training and requalification become mandatory.

To simplify this, Labour Link Vietnam tracks expiration dates, manages recertification logistics, and stores digital records accessible to employers. Thus, compliance stays consistent and seamless.

Documentation Readiness for the EU Market

Vietnamese welders deployed to Europe are prepared with:

• Notarised and translated certificates (in English, German, or local language)
• Client-specific WPS familiarity tests completed in advance
• Comprehensive document packs containing CVs, passports, weld certs, and continuity logs
• Pre-deployment test footage for client approval

Labour Link completes all these steps before visa processing or mobilisation. As a result, compliance rejections become highly unlikely.

Case Study: Structural Steel Welding in Denmark

A Danish contractor required 12 EN 1090-compliant structural welders for a bridge expansion project. Labour Link Vietnam delivered certified welders with:

• Valid ISO 9606-1 credentials for plate welding (135 MAG process)
• TÜV-witnessed documentation for quality assurance
• Proven familiarity with pre-heating and multi-pass procedures

As a result, all welders passed local inspections without rejections. Inspectors praised the consistency between documented qualifications and live performance. This demonstrated the reliability of Vietnam’s certification system.

What Employers Gain from Certified Welders

Hiring certified Vietnamese welders delivers several benefits:

• Audit compliance improves thanks to traceability from WPS to welder
• Higher inspection pass rates reduce the need for costly rework
• Liability risks are minimised due to adherence to recognised codes
• Retention and return rates improve for previously qualified and proven teams

Therefore, investing in certified workers saves time, enhances safety, and increases project profitability.

Compliance with European Welding Protocols

Vietnamese certification programmes prepare welders to meet EU standards by covering:

• WPS interpretation for EN and ASME formats
• Heat input control and interpass temperature monitoring
• PED-compliant filler traceability
• ISO 3834 weld logbook documentation

Welders trained with this foundation adapt quickly to European job sites, including:

• PED-based pressure piping
• EN 1090 structural modules
• GMP-regulated cleanroom installs

Moreover, clients benefit from reduced onboarding times and more autonomous execution.

Labour Link Vietnam’s Oversight and Support System

Labour Link ensures smooth certification oversight by:

• Conducting internal weld testing before client selection
• Verifying all certificates with issuing authorities
• Offering pre-deployment refresher training
• Formatting and digitising document packages for client review

With this comprehensive process, clients avoid administrative burden and gain a partner that ensures documentation integrity.

Verification of Welding Certification Before Deployment

To verify compliance, employers should request:

• Video evidence of weld testing
• Digital scans of certificates with expiry dates
• Sworn and sealed translation copies
• Client-specific WPS trials, if needed

Labour Link responds within 24 hours and also arranges live weld testing via Zoom. Therefore, verification becomes efficient and secure.

Final Thought: Vietnam Welding Certification Means Readiness

In today’s compliance-driven marketplace, proper certification is essential—not optional. The Vietnam welding certification system delivers internationally recognised quality, enabling Vietnamese welders to meet the demands of Europe’s most regulated industrial sectors.