The Vietnamese labor market is showing signs of recovery in early 2025, but challenges looming over supply-demand balance remain significant, according to a report released by Vieclam24h. This report, based on surveys from workers and businesses, indicates that recruitment demand has surged by 19% compared to the same period last year, reflecting the expanding workforce of many companies. However, this growth is uneven across sectors.
The sectors with the highest recruitment needs include retail and trade, real estate and construction, and manufacturing and processing, which together account for nearly 60% of all job openings. Noteworthy is the sales and business sector, which leads with over 20% of recruitment demand, showcasing the trend of companies pushing to expand markets and boost revenues. Manufacturing and processing have recorded a 41% increase in recruitment demand, yet they still face challenges in finding skilled labor.
Particularly, the textile, garment, footwear, and fashion industry has noted a 7% rise in recruitment needs, but job seekers in the sector have decreased by 18%. The surge in the real estate and construction sectors, driven by government support policies, shows an impressive recruitment increase exceeding 40%. With over 50% of workers seeking new job opportunities, this sector creates a strong shift in personnel.
Trends in logistics and supply chain have exhibited a recruitment demand increase of about 35% as well, while companies report difficulties in sourcing qualified candidates. Conversely, the finance and accounting sector has seen an 18% demand increase, yet more than half of the workforce in that field is trending towards new job searches.
The retail sector has recorded a 14% increase in recruitment; however, positions related to language and translation services have witnessed a sharp decline in demand, dropping over 30%. Furthermore, general labor roles represent the strongest shortage, with a demand increase of over 10% post-Lunar New Year, making up 44% of total recruitment needs across the nation.
This imbalance between recruitment demand and labor supply stands as a significant challenge, particularly concerning the skill gap between job seekers and requirements from employers, which is increasingly evident in fields such as technology, logistics, and business.
The labor market is characterized by a dynamic atmosphere influenced by technology, business trends, and macroeconomic factors. As workers become more cautious when searching for new opportunities, companies are urged to adapt their recruitment strategies, focusing on competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain talent effectively.
Technology is reshaping traditional hiring practices, with online platforms like Vieclam24h enhancing their services using AI to help businesses connect with candidates more efficiently.
Moreover, the essence of developing high-skilled human resources to manage technology effectively and participate in the global supply chains of foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises is increasingly recognized. Despite Vietnam being a prime destination for foreign investors, the existing training systems regarding high-level skilled labor have not kept pace with the actual market needs.
Ngô Thị Ngọc Lan, Director of Navigos Search for Northern Vietnam, affirmed this view by stating that the ongoing surge of investments in the region is creating vast employment opportunities. However, as the labor market demands rise, many of the current workforce members fail to meet employers' expectations. “The noticeable turnaround we observe shows that previously, a job requirement would attract a handful of applicants, now the application numbers have doubled or tripled, yet it doesn't guarantee that companies find suitable candidates as their hiring criteria have elevated significantly,” she remarked.
Phạm Minh Huân, a labor expert and former Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, added that while the government has developed many targeted programs to improve workforce quality, some areas remain inadequate. The pressing issue is the lack of alignment between the training provided by vocational institutions and the demands of employers. “We have made many strides, but it is clear that the education sector and employer requirements are still disconnected. Legally and policy-wise, things are relatively complete; however, the practical training facilities still face numerous challenges,” he stated.
The need to enhance the quality of the workforce is critical, with training institutions expected to align their curriculums to reflect industry demands closely. Ngọc Lan also stressed the necessity of a collaborative effort between educational institutions and businesses to ensure that programs are tailored to the specific needs of the market.
Given the significant shift in the labor landscape, it is crucial for training systems to adapt accordingly and create pathways that better serve the dynamic needs of employers.”
