Vietnam Labour Market 2025: What the Latest GSO Data Means for Hiring and Careers in 2026

By Valerie Ong, Regional Marketing Manager
Published by Reeracoen Vietnam, a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

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

Why Vietnam’s Labour Market Data Matters More in 2026

Vietnam’s labour market in 2025 reflects stability, but also structural transformation.

According to Vietnam’s General Statistics Office (GSO), the national labour force remains above 52 million people, with unemployment stabilising around 2 to 2.5 percent. However, the story is not about low unemployment alone.

The real shift is in how companies are hiring and what skills are rewarded.

Employers are prioritising governance, digitalisation, and productivity.
Professionals are prioritising stability, structured progression, and long-term employability.

The Vietnam labour market in 2025 is not slowing. It is maturing.

Vietnam’s Labour Market in 2025: Key Signals

Based on GSO labour releases and Reeracoen Vietnam’s market observations:

• Labour force participation remains strong above 52 million

• Youth unemployment remains higher than national average

• Manufacturing and services continue leading job creation

• FDI-driven industries sustain steady hiring

• Mid-level talent mobility remains high

Vietnam’s economic positioning as a regional manufacturing and digital hub continues to support hiring momentum in:

• Manufacturing & engineering

• Banking, Financial Services & Fintech

• Corporate finance

• Compliance & governance functions

• Data and technology roles

However, hiring demand is increasingly selective and skill-driven.

3 Structural Shifts Defining Vietnam’s Labour Market in 2025

1. Governance and Digitalisation Are Driving Hiring Demand

According to Reeracoen Vietnam’s BFSF Talent Outlook 2026, hiring demand in Banking, Financial Services and Fintech is projected to grow between 8 and 12 percent year on year in 2026.

Strong demand is observed in:

• Risk management

• Compliance and regulatory reporting

• Internal audit

• Finance leadership

• Fintech product and engineering

• Data and analytics

The report highlights that salary pressure is strongest at Senior Executive to Manager level, where experienced professionals remain limited in supply.

This governance-focused hiring trend extends into manufacturing, logistics, and foreign-invested enterprises, where operational controls and bilingual management are increasingly important.

2. Mid-Level Professionals Are the Most Active Job Movers

Reeracoen Vietnam’s market intelligence shows that mid-management professionals are currently the most mobile segment in the labour market.

Employers report:

• Strong counter-offer activity

• Salary compression between junior and senior roles

• Limited supply of bilingual candidates

• Competition between banks, fintech firms, and FDI employers

This creates hiring risk for employers who delay decisions.

For professionals, mobility favours those with:

• Measurable performance impact

• Cross-functional experience

• Regulatory or governance exposure

• Strong English or Japanese proficiency

The labour market now rewards depth, not frequency of job changes.

3. Career Stability and Structured Growth Matter More

Beyond compensation, professionals in Vietnam increasingly prioritise:

• Clear progression pathways

• Organisational stability

• Exposure to regional stakeholders

• Transparent compensation structures

This aligns with broader workforce sentiment trends observed across APAC.

Professionals aged 25 to 35 are particularly focused on long-term capability building rather than short-term title changes.

Employers who communicate structured development frameworks are seeing stronger retention outcomes.

Salary Benchmarks: Where Pressure Is Highest

Based on Reeracoen Vietnam’s 2025 salary benchmarks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City:

Banking & Finance

• Analyst: 20 to 30 million VND

• Senior Executive / Assistant Manager: 30 to 45 million VND

• Manager: 45 to 70 million VND

• Senior Manager: 70 to 100+ million VND

Fintech

• Mid-level Product / Engineering: 35 to 60 million VND

• Senior / Lead: 70 to 120 million VND

Corporate Finance

• Analyst: 25 to 40 million VND

• Associate: 40 to 70 million VND

• Manager: 70 to 120 million VND

Salary pressure remains strongest at mid-level management, where supply constraints and mobility intersect.

Entry-level roles show more moderate growth due to graduate supply expansion.

What Employers Should Prepare for in 2026

Based on Vietnam labour market 2025 trends, employers should:

• Strengthen succession planning and internal mobility

• Benchmark compensation realistically

• Accelerate hiring decision cycles

• Build employer branding around stability and governance

Strategic workforce planning will be a key differentiator in 2026.

What Professionals Should Do Now

For Vietnamese professionals evaluating opportunities:

• Strengthen bilingual communication capability

• Gain exposure to compliance and governance projects

• Build cross-functional understanding

• Prioritise roles with structured development

The labour market rewards intentional positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Vietnam’s labour market strong in 2025?

Yes. Unemployment remains low and hiring continues in manufacturing, BFSF, finance, and technology. However, hiring is more selective.

Which sectors are hiring most in Vietnam?

Manufacturing, fintech, banking, compliance, data analytics, and corporate finance show sustained demand.

Are salaries increasing in Vietnam?

Yes, but unevenly. Mid-level specialised roles see stronger increases than entry-level positions.

Is 2026 a good time to switch jobs in Vietnam?

For experienced professionals with specialised skills and bilingual capability, 2026 presents strategic opportunities.

🔗 Related Articles 

You may also find these useful:

• Top In-Demand Jobs in Vietnam in 2026

• Jobs with the Lowest and Highest Expected Pay Raises in Vietnam in 2026

• Continuous Learning in Vietnam: How Upskilling Improves Employability

References

• General Statistics Office of Vietnam, Labour and Employment Reports 2025

• Reeracoen Vietnam, BFSF Talent Outlook 2026

• Reeracoen Vietnam, Salary Guide 2025

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