Vietnam’s Talent Competitiveness in 2025: What the GTCI Ranking Means for Companies and Workers

Vietnam’s Talent Competitiveness in 2025: What the GTCI Ranking Means for Companies and Workers

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

Vietnam has officially ranked 76th out of 135 countries in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2025, outperforming many countries in the same economic bracket. For a lower-middle-income nation, this is a significant accomplishment. Vietnam has a GTCI score of 42.25, well above the income-group average of 33.64, signalling rapid progress in human capital, workforce quality, and future-readiness.

But what does this mean for hiring managers, HR leaders, and jobseekers navigating Vietnam’s fast-changing labour landscape?

Below, we break down Vietnam’s strengths, growing talent gaps, and the opportunities that companies and workers should pay attention to in 2025.

1. Vietnam Is Outperforming Its Income Group — A Sign of Strong Talent Momentum

Vietnam’s ranking reflects one key message: companies operating in Vietnam have access to a rising, competitive workforce.

Key strengths highlighted in the GTCI include:

High youth inclusion (Rank 33)

Vietnam’s young workforce is digitally connected, highly adaptive, and eager to participate in the economy. This puts the country in a strong position for industries like manufacturing, fintech, logistics, green energy, and digital services.

Strong delegation of authority (Rank 12)

Vietnamese companies are increasingly empowering mid-level and junior employees to make decisions. This indicates a shift toward modern, decentralised leadership — attractive for multinational firms entering Vietnam.

High use of virtual social networks (Rank 32)

The Vietnamese workforce is extremely active online. This benefits employer branding, recruitment marketing, knowledge sharing, and cross-border collaboration.

2. Strong Foundation in Secondary Education Supports Stable Talent Pipelines

Vietnam ranks in the Top 15 globally for secondary education attainment, which strengthens its base of mid-level talent.

Highlights include:

• Workforce with secondary education: Rank 12

• Population with secondary education: Rank 13

This gives employers a stable pipeline of mid-skilled talent who are ready for vocational training, upskilling, and technical roles — especially in manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, logistics, and engineering.

3. Critical Talent Gaps Employers Must Address in 2025

Despite its strengths, Vietnam’s ranking also reveals areas requiring immediate attention — especially for companies facing talent shortages.

Very low lifelong learning (Rank 120)

Vietnamese employees receive fewer upskilling opportunities compared to the region. This impacts readiness for digital transformation, automation, and higher-value roles.

Low prevalence of training in firms (Rank 108)

Many companies still rely heavily on “learn on the job” approaches.

In 2025, with AI, automation, and evolving workflows, structured capability-building is essential.

Weak labour market flexibility

Indicators such as labour rights (Rank 127) and pay-to-productivity alignment (Rank 126) affect competitiveness and employee confidence.

Skills mismatch in fast-growing sectors

Shortages continue in:

• AI & data

• software development

• cloud engineering

• manufacturing technicians

• supply chain specialists

• quality engineers

• green energy roles

Companies hiring in these areas face strong competition for talent.

4. What This Means for Employers in Vietnam

Based on the ranking, employers should prioritise three major actions in 2025:

A. Invest in Workforce Upskilling

Companies that invest in employee development will immediately differentiate themselves.

High-impact areas include:

• digital skills (AI literacy, data, analytics)

• leadership and management training

• cross-functional and hybrid skills

• technical certifications

B. Strengthen Employee Retention and Career Growth

Vietnam’s low employee development scores mean workers are seeking clearer career paths.

Companies should improve:

• internal mobility

• leadership pipelines

• mentorship programmes

• learning opportunities

C. Modernise Hiring Strategies

As Vietnam climbs the competitiveness ladder, the war for talent intensifies.

Winning companies will:

• enhance employer branding

• offer competitive and transparent salaries

• hire based on competency and potential

• use digital recruitment strategies

• streamline hiring processes

5. What This Means for Workers and Jobseekers

Vietnamese workers should see the ranking as proof that the country is rising — and so can they.

Invest in future skills

AI literacy, automation, data, cloud platforms, and sustainability will dominate demand.

Build hybrid skillsets

Employers prefer talent who can bridge multiple functions:

• marketing + data

• engineering + automation

• HR + analytics

• operations + digital tools

Take advantage of early leadership opportunities

Vietnam scores highly in delegation of authority, meaning young professionals can access leadership roles earlier than in other markets.

Choose employers who invest in development

Workers should select companies with clear training, certification, and progression pathways.

6. Regional Context: How Vietnam Compares to Neighbours

Vietnam ranks:

• above its income-group average

• below Singapore and Malaysia

• competitive with Thailand in several pillars

• ahead of many emerging economies in Asia

This positions Vietnam as one of the region’s fastest-rising talent markets, supported by strong demographics, rising investment, and accelerating digital adoption.

Conclusion: Vietnam’s Talent Ecosystem Is Evolving — and 2025 Is a Pivotal Year

The GTCI 2025 ranking confirms what companies in Vietnam already see: the workforce is rising, but so are expectations and competition.

Companies that invest early in training, capability-building, and modern hiring will secure the best talent in a tightening market.

Workers who develop future-ready skills will gain access to higher salaries, better mobility, and more career options.

Vietnam has momentum.

The question now is who will take advantage of it.

FAQ: Vietnam’s Talent Competitiveness in 2025

1. Is Vietnam’s ranking good?

 Yes. Ranking 76 out of 135 is strong for a lower-middle-income country.

2. What are Vietnam’s biggest strengths?

 Youth inclusion, decision-making empowerment, and digital participation.

3. What are Vietnam’s main weaknesses?

 Lifelong learning, employee training, and labour market flexibility.

4. Which job sectors will grow fastest?

Manufacturing, semiconductors, logistics, fintech, AI/data, and green energy roles.

✅ Final Author Credit

• By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

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

🔗 Related Articles 

• Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026: Sectors to Watch as FDI Rises

• Level Up Your Hiring: How Vietnam’s Gaming Generation is Shaping Tomorrow’s Tech Talent

• The Rise of E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Jobs in Vietnam

References

• INSEAD – Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2025

• Vietnam General Statistics Office (GSO) – Labour & Workforce Data

• ILO Vietnam – Skills & Labour Market Trends

• World Bank – Vietnam Education & Skills Indicators

• Reeracoen Vietnam – Talent & Hiring Insights 2024–2025

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