Your company in Vietnam should handle all this for you. The most time consuming 'paper' is the police check from your home country. Get that for sure before you go.

Not the end all "how-to" guide, but an ok jumping off point if you're an American:

http://vatovn.blogspot.com/2006/09/vn-work-visa.html

You can get things translated locally. Make sure to bring the originals of documents (such as your diploma). Also, if you can, get your school (college, post-grad, etc.) transcripts stamped by the registrar of the school.

And erm dont forget to get a police clearance in your country! Some embassies out here offer the service but you could wait for 9 months.

What? You need a "police check" to get work permit in Vietnam? To get that from my country you need a written application from those you need to show the "police check" to. I assume the Vietnamese government have better things to do than to write an application to get my "police check" :S In other words it is impossible for me to get work permit in Vietnam?

Yes you need a police clearance (like most countries) for a work-permit. The application must come from a company. You as a citizen of a country are allowed to request a police clearance, I really dont see why you should have a letter of request from a company or organisation. In addition to a police clearance from your country you will also need a local police clearance, evidence that you have paid tax and a medical clearance. I think its a great idea, keeps the riff raff out of this country.