Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026: Sectors to Watch as FDI Rises

GeneralNovember 04, 2025 10:55

Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026 when FDI Rises

Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026: Sectors to Watch as FDI Rises

This article is written in English for readers in Vietnam. Vietnamese translations are available on our website.

The Next Growth Chapter: Vietnam’s Workforce in 2026

Vietnam’s job market continues to evolve at remarkable speed. As global investors seek stable, cost-efficient, and high-skill destinations, Vietnam is emerging as the FDI powerhouse of Southeast Asia. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the country attracted US$36.6 billion in registered FDI in 2024, a 32 percent jump year-on-year — and this upward momentum shows no sign of slowing in 2026.

Driven by supply-chain shifts from China + 1 strategies, nearshoring for electronics, and rapid digitalisation, both domestic and multinational employers are expanding headcount and reshaping job profiles. Based on Reeracoen’s observations and insights from the Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025, the following sectors are expected to define Vietnam’s hiring landscape in 2026.

1. Manufacturing & Semiconductors: The Core Engine of FDI

Manufacturing remains Vietnam’s economic backbone, contributing roughly 25 percent of GDP. FDI continues to pour in from Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, particularly for high-tech manufacturing and semiconductor assembly.

  • Intel Products Vietnam is expanding operations in Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon Hi-Tech Park.

  • Samsung Electronics and LG Display are increasing investment in Bac Ninh and Hai Phong.

  • The government’s National Semiconductor Strategy aims to create 50,000 skilled engineers by 2030.

In-demand roles (2026): process engineers, QA specialists, EHS managers, supply-chain analysts, and bilingual production managers (English + Japanese or Korean).

2. Renewable Energy & Green Manufacturing: ESG Takes Centre Stage

As Vietnam pursues its Net Zero 2050 commitment, demand for professionals in clean energy and green transformation is accelerating. The Asian Development Bank forecasts that the renewable energy sector could generate 90,000 new jobs by 2030.

Key drivers include:

  • Government incentives for solar, wind, and hydrogen projects.

  • Corporate ESG reporting requirements aligned with EU CBAM and Global Compact standards.

  • Growing foreign partnerships with energy developers from Japan, Denmark, and Singapore.

Top hires in 2026: sustainability managers, environmental engineers, ESG reporting specialists, and project finance professionals.

3. Technology, AI & Digital Transformation: Where Innovation Meets Talent

Vietnam’s digital economy is projected to reach US$50 billion by 2026 (Google–Temasek–Bain e-Economy SEA Report). Start-ups and established firms alike are racing to deploy AI, data analytics, and automation across logistics, manufacturing, and financial services.

According to LinkedIn Talent Insights, AI-related job postings in Vietnam grew 58 percent in 2025, one of the fastest rates in ASEAN.

Hot roles: data scientists, prompt engineers, machine-learning ops specialists, full-stack developers, and cybersecurity consultants.

Companies that previously focused on cost efficiency are now competing on tech capability. This shift demands not just digital skills but also cross-functional communication and creative problem-solving — areas where upskilling will play a decisive role.

4. Banking, Finance & Fintech: Balancing Growth with Regulation

Vietnam’s fintech industry grew 15 percent in 2025, powered by mobile payments, e-wallet adoption, and blockchain-based lending. The State Bank of Vietnam is drafting an AI governance framework to ensure safer fintech innovation.

Hiring is expanding in:

  • Risk & Compliance, particularly in anti-money-laundering and ESG finance.

  • Data Analytics for customer-insight-driven product design.

  • Product Managers and UX specialists in digital banking.

Reeracoen’s salary data shows fintech product managers in HCMC commanding monthly packages 20–30 percent higher than traditional banking peers.

5. Logistics, Supply Chain & Infrastructure: Connecting Vietnam to the World

With exports exceeding US$353 billion in 2024 (GSO Vietnam), the logistics and infrastructure boom continues. Global companies are seeking to streamline their supply chains via automated warehouses, cold-chain tech, and port modernisation.

FDI inflows into logistics real estate have risen 28 percent year-on-year, while domestic 3PLs are investing heavily in warehouse management systems (WMS).

Top roles: warehouse engineers, procurement analysts, transport planners, and sustainability logistics specialists.

6. Consumer & E-Commerce: Vietnam’s Rising Middle Class

Vietnam’s consumer base — now 100 million people with GDP per capita exceeding US$5,000 by 2026 (World Bank projection) — is fuelling unprecedented retail demand. Local and international brands are hiring aggressively for:

  • E-commerce operations and merchandising

  • Omnichannel marketing

  • Customer-experience management

TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Lazada continue to expand cross-border selling hubs in Vietnam, spurring demand for logistics coordinators and digital-marketing specialists fluent in English and Mandarin.

7. Education & Upskilling: Preparing Vietnam’s Next Generation Workforce

The Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025 revealed that 78 percent of Vietnamese professionals plan to pursue further training in 2026 — the highest among surveyed APAC countries.

Universities and corporate L&D programs are responding with AI-based learning, industry-certified micro-credentials, and English-for-Business courses.

Recruitment demand is increasing for academic coordinators, instructional designers, and bilingual trainers in IT and business English.

Insights for Employers: Compete Through Value, Not Just Cost

While Vietnam’s labour cost advantage remains a draw, the competition for skilled, tech-savvy, and bilingual talent will intensify in 2026.

Employers can stay ahead by:

  • Offering career growth pathways and structured upskilling.

  • Embedding ESG and well-being programmes to attract purpose-driven Gen Z workers.

  • Partnering with recruitment experts such as Reeracoen Vietnam to access real-time salary benchmarks and talent insights.

🔍 FAQ: Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026

Q1. Which sectors will hire the most in 2026?

Manufacturing, semiconductors, technology, green energy, and logistics will lead growth.

Q2. What skills will be most in demand?

Data analytics, digital marketing, engineering, bilingual communication, and leadership skills.

Q3. How can employers attract better candidates?

Offer training, transparent career progression, and flexible work arrangements.

Q4. What salary growth is expected?

According to AON Southeast Asia Salary Survey 2025, Vietnam salaries may rise 5 – 7 percent in 2026, led by manufacturing and IT roles.

💼 For Employers: [Book a Consultation — Find Vietnam’s best-qualified candidates faster with Reeracoen Vietnam.]

👩‍💼 For Jobseekers: [Submit Your CV — Let Reeracoen help you connect with top international and local employers in Vietnam.]

✅ Final Author Credit

  • By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager, Reeracoen Vietnam) 

  • Published by Reeracoen Vietnam — a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

📚 References

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