Vietnam 2025 in Review: Lessons for 2026 Recruiters

GeneralNovember 28, 2025 17:22

Recruiters in Vietnam reviewing 2025 labour data and hiring trends on a laptop in a modern HCMC office.

Vietnam 2025 in Review: Lessons for 2026 Recruiters

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

2025 – A Year of Resilience and Reset

Vietnam’s labour market in 2025 proved both resilient and revealing. Amid global inflation pressures, supply-chain realignments, and AI-driven transformation, companies continued to expand hiring across manufacturing, technology, and logistics — but with sharper attention to productivity and retention.

Despite slower GDP growth (projected ~5.6%), Vietnam remained one of APAC’s most competitive talent markets. Recruitment demand stayed strong for bilingual professionals, ESG specialists, and mid-level leaders able to manage multi-market teams.

Key Trends That Defined 2025

Hiring stabilised after post-pandemic volatility

While 2024 saw surges in contract and project-based roles, 2025 brought a return to long-term hiring. Companies in manufacturing, energy, and IT favoured permanent placements with structured career paths — a clear sign of confidence in Vietnam’s economic trajectory.

Bilingual and cross-border talent led salary growth

Japanese and English-speaking professionals continued to earn 10–20 percent more than monolingual peers, especially in project coordination and client-service roles. This trend will intensify in 2026 as Japanese FDI and manufacturing expansion accelerate.

Middle management became the critical gap

As highlighted in the Reeracoen Vietnam Salary Guide 2025, mid-tier leaders remain scarce. The country’s rapidly expanding SME and tech ecosystem requires managers who can bridge strategic vision with execution — not just technical competence.

AI and green transformation reshaped hiring criteria

Employers increasingly valued digital literacy and sustainability awareness. Roles in automation, data analytics, and renewable energy grew steadily, reflecting Vietnam’s commitment to carbon-neutral development by 2050.

Employee expectations evolved toward purpose and balance

Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight’s APAC Whitepaper 2025 found that 80 percent of Vietnamese professionals prioritised learning and CSR over salary alone — an insight that pushed many HR teams to redesign engagement and retention programmes.

Lessons for 2026 Recruiters

Build stronger pipelines for mid-level leadership.

Upskilling and mentorship programmes will be key to closing the leadership gap.

Incorporate AI in talent acquisition.

Vietnamese companies increasingly adopt AI interview and screening tools to streamline recruitment while reducing bias.

Invest in employer branding around purpose.

Candidates — especially Gen Z — gravitate toward organisations that value social impact and career growth over short-term rewards.

Re-benchmark pay for 2026 budgets.

Average salary growth is forecast at 5–7 percent in 2026, driven by technology and manufacturing sectors. Use the latest salary guide data to stay competitive.

“The Vietnam labour market is moving from speed to stability. Employers who balance competitive pay with development and purpose will win the race for talent in 2026.”

🧭 Conclusion

2025 was the year Vietnam proved its adaptability amid regional uncertainty. For 2026, recruiters must pair data-driven insights with a human-centred approach — valuing people not just for skills but for their capacity to learn, lead, and contribute to Vietnam’s future growth.

 [Book a Consultation — Benchmark your 2026 hiring strategy with Reeracoen Vietnam’s market insights.] 

 [Submit Your CV — Explore new roles aligned with Vietnam’s fastest-growing industries.] 

✅ Final Author Credit

  • By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

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

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📚 References

reeracoen

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