Should You Change Jobs Before or After Tết 2026? What Vietnam Professionals Need to Know

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

As Tết Nguyên Đán 2026 approaches, many professionals in Vietnam find themselves asking the same question every year:

Should I change jobs before Tết, or wait until after the holiday?

The answer is not the same for everyone. Timing a job move around Tết can significantly affect your bonus, interview success, negotiation power, and even long-term career growth.

Based on hiring patterns observed across Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and key industrial hubs, as well as employer and candidate behaviour data, this guide breaks down when it makes sense to move before Tết, when waiting is smarter, and how to decide what is right for you in 2026.

Why Tết Timing Matters in Vietnam’s Job Market

Tết is not just a holiday. It is a structural reset point for Vietnam’s labour market.

Every year around Tết, companies experience:

• Budget resets

• Organisational restructuring

• Headcount re-approval

• Resignations and workforce movement

• New hiring mandates

According to labour market data and recruiter observations:

• Resignation rates spike immediately after Tết

• Hiring activity typically accelerates from February to April

• Many roles discussed pre-Tết only close after the holiday

This makes timing especially important.

Changing Jobs Before Tết 2026: Pros and Cons

When Moving Before Tết Makes Sense

You may consider switching jobs before Tết if:

• Your bonus is not guaranteed or already paid

• Not all companies provide a full Tết bonus, especially in smaller firms or contract roles.

• You are in a toxic or unstable environment

• Prolonged stress, unclear leadership, or delayed salaries are valid reasons to move early.

• A new employer offers a confirmed sign-on or guaranteed bonus replacement

Some companies offer:

• Guaranteed bonus buy-outs

• Higher base salary to compensate for Tết bonus loss

• Your current company is downsizing or restructuring

•  Early movers often have more options than those forced into the market later.

Risks of Moving Before Tết

However, moving before Tết also comes with trade-offs:

• Fewer active interview processes: Many hiring managers pause interviews 2–3 weeks before Tết.

• Limited negotiation flexibility: Budgets are often frozen until the new financial year.

• Higher emotional decisions: Year-end fatigue can push professionals to resign without a clear plan.

For most professionals, pre-Tết moves should be strategic, not reactive.

Changing Jobs After Tết 2026: Why Many Professionals Wait

For the majority of Vietnam professionals, post-Tết is the strongest hiring window.

Advantages of Waiting Until After Tết

• Fresh budgets and approved headcount: Companies finalise hiring plans after year-end reviews.

• Higher resignation volume creates more vacancies: Many employees resign after receiving their Tết bonus.

• Stronger bargaining power: Candidates can negotiate:

1. Better salary

2. Clearer job scope

3. Improved benefits

• More interview momentum: Recruiters report faster shortlisting and decision-making from February onwards.

Data from recruitment agencies shows that offer volumes typically peak in Q1 and early Q2, especially for mid-level and specialist roles.

When Waiting Might Not Be Ideal

Waiting until after Tết may not be suitable if:

• Your role is at high risk of redundancy

• You are struggling with health or burnout

• Your industry is slowing sharply and opportunities are shrinking

In these cases, preparation before Tết becomes critical.

The Smarter Strategy: Prepare Before Tết, Move After

For many professionals, the best approach is a hybrid strategy:

• Prepare before Tết

• Execute after Tết

What to Do Before Tết 2026

• Update your CV and LinkedIn profile

• Clarify your target roles and industries

• Benchmark your salary expectations

• Start informal conversations with recruiters

• Apply selectively to priority roles

This positions you to move quickly once hiring accelerates.

Industry Differences: Timing Matters by Sector

Not all industries follow the same rhythm.

Industries That Hire Strongly After Tết

• Manufacturing and engineering

• Supply chain and logistics

• IT, data, and digital roles

• Sales and business development

• Finance and accounting

Industries With Year-Round Hiring

• Fast-growing startups

• E-commerce

• Project-based roles

• Technical niche positions

Understanding your sector’s cycle helps avoid missed opportunities.

Common Mistakes Professionals Make Around Tết

• Resigning without an offer

• Waiting too long to prepare

• Accepting rushed offers pre-Tết

• Underestimating post-Tết competition

• Not factoring in notice periods

Strategic planning reduces these risks significantly.

How Recruiters View Candidates During Tết Periods

Recruiters do not penalise candidates for:

• Waiting until after Tết

• Taking time to plan carefully

• Wanting to secure bonuses

However, recruiters do notice:

• Lack of preparation

• Unrealistic salary expectations

• Poor responsiveness

• Emotional decision-making

Being prepared signals professionalism and readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is it bad to resign right after Tết?

No. It is extremely common in Vietnam. Employers expect movement during this period.

2. Will I miss opportunities if I wait until after Tết?

Only if you do not prepare. Well-prepared candidates move quickly post-Tết.

3. Should I apply for jobs during Tết holidays?

You can prepare applications, but expect responses mainly after the holiday.

4. Can I negotiate bonuses if I join after Tết?

Yes. Post-Tết hires often have more flexibility in compensation discussions.

5. Should I work with a recruitment agency during this period?

Yes. Agencies help align timing, manage negotiations, and access unadvertised roles.

✅ Final Author Credit

• By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

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

🔗 Related Articles 

• Vietnam Hiring Outlook 2026: Skills, Sectors & Salary Signals

• Retention Without Big Budgets: Practical Strategies for Vietnam Employers

• New Year, New Career: A 30-Day Job Search Plan for Vietnam Professionals

📚 References

• Vietnam General Statistics Office (GSO) labour data

• Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) reports

• AON Southeast Asia Salary Outlook

• LinkedIn Talent Insights (Vietnam)

• Reeracoen Vietnam hiring observations

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