What SFF 2025 Means for Vietnam’s Tech Talent: 5 Global Trends Shaping Jobs and Skills in 2026

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

Introduction: Why SFF Matters to Vietnam, Even Though It Was Held in Singapore

Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2025 is the world’s largest fintech and digital innovation event, bringing together 65,000 global leaders in AI, cybersecurity, digital banking, data science, and emerging technologies.

Although the event takes place in Singapore, its implications extend far beyond one country.

For Vietnam — one of Asia’s fastest-growing digital economies, with more than 70,000 IT graduates per year, rising fintech adoption, and booming AI startups — the ideas shared at SFF 2025 offer a preview of skills, jobs, and technologies that will shape Vietnam’s workforce in 2026.

This article highlights five global tech and talent trends from SFF 2025 that Vietnam’s companies, workers, and young professionals should prepare for.

1. AI & Data Skills Will Become Essential for Vietnam’s Digital Workforce

AI was the most dominant theme at SFF 2025 — from generative AI to conversational AI, automated credit scoring, and real-time data analytics.

For Vietnam, this trend is not just relevant — it is transformational.

Vietnam Market Data

• Vietnam ranks among the top 10 countries globally for AI talent growth (LinkedIn Global Skills Report).

• Over 80% of Vietnamese companies plan to increase digital and data adoption by 2027 (World Bank).

• Vietnam’s AI industry is projected to reach US$1.2 billion by 2030.

High-demand AI/Data roles in Vietnam

• Data Analysts

• AI Engineers

• Machine Learning Specialists

• Business Intelligence Executives

• Data Governance & Risk Analysts

• AI Product Managers

What this means for Vietnam’s companies

Vietnamese employers should:

✔ Provide AI upskilling opportunities for existing staff
✔ Recruit hybrid talent (domain + data skills)
✔ Strengthen compensation structures to retain tech talent

AI is not replacing Vietnam’s workers.

It is creating an entirely new class of digital, analytical, and product-driven roles.

2. Cybersecurity Will Be One of Vietnam’s Most Urgent Talent Gaps

With Vietnam’s digital payments, online banking, and e-commerce industries expanding rapidly, cybersecurity risk has also multiplied.

At SFF, global leaders emphasised that cybersecurity is now a board-level priority, not just an IT function.

Vietnam Market Data

• Vietnam saw a 30% increase in cyberattacks in 2024 (VNISA).

• The country lacks over 3,000 cybersecurity specialists nationwide.

• 75% of Vietnam companies plan to strengthen digital security by 2026.

In-demand cybersecurity jobs

• Cybersecurity Engineers

• SOC Analysts

• Cloud Security Specialists

• Data Privacy Analysts

• Cyber Risk & Compliance Officers

Implications for Vietnam’s workforce

Vietnamese tech professionals who upskill in cloud, risk management, and security frameworks (ISO, NIST) will be highly sought after in 2026.

3. FinTech, Digital Banking, and Payments Talent Will Surge in Demand

Vietnam is already one of Southeast Asia’s most digitised payment markets.

SFF 2025 showcased the rapid advancement in:

• real-time cross-border payments

• embedded finance

• digital lending

• RegTech

• blockchain-based settlement

These innovations directly impact Vietnam’s fintech and banking ecosystem, which is accelerating in parallel.

Vietnam Market Data

• Vietnam’s fintech market will reach US$24 billion by 2027 (Statista).

• 68% of Vietnamese consumers prefer digital payments.

• Vietnam has over 150 fintech companies, with rapid hiring demand.

Roles in highest demand

• Digital Product Owners

• Payments Specialists

• KYC/AML Analysts

• Fraud Management Executives

• Blockchain Developers

• Compliance Managers

Companies hiring in 2026 must adapt quickly as finance becomes more technological and regulatory expectations become stricter.

4. Vietnam’s Young Workforce Wants Stability, Growth, and Purpose — Not Just High Salary

Vietnam’s Gen Z is digitally advanced, career-driven, and highly adaptive — but also values emotional safety, career progression, and work-life balance, similar to global trends highlighted at SFF.

Insights from the APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025 

Key Vietnam Worker Insights

• 72% of young workers rank stability as their top priority.

• 63% prefer companies that provide structured career growth.

• 58% want regular skills training and mobility opportunities.

• 45% are willing to switch jobs for better work-life balance.

Implication for employers

Vietnam companies must strengthen:

 ✔ Clear promotion criteria
 ✔ Mentorship programmes
 ✔ Training and upskilling pathways
 ✔ Hybrid work policies where possible

Talent is no longer just choosing a job.

 They are choosing a workplace experience.

5. Vietnam’s Future Workforce Will Be a Blend of Engineering, Tech, and Digital Skills

While SFF is known for fintech and finance, many discussions centred on broader digital infrastructure — including semiconductor expansion, data centres, and advanced manufacturing.

Vietnam stands to benefit from these global shifts.

Vietnam Market Data

• Vietnam’s digital economy grew 19% year-on-year, the fastest in Southeast Asia (Google e-Conomy SEA).

• Data centre investments are expected to reach US$1 billion by 2027.

• Engineering and manufacturing remain the largest hiring sectors in Reeracoen Vietnam.

Skills that Vietnam workers should build

• Software engineering

• Cloud computing

• Automation & robotics

• Data engineering

• Digital product management

• Electrical & mechanical engineering

• Project management & agile frameworks

Vietnam’s workforce is becoming one of Asia’s most versatile — combining engineering fundamentals with digital capabilities.

Conclusion: SFF 2025 Shows That Vietnam Is Ready for Its Next Stage of Workforce Transformation

Vietnam is entering a new era where:

• FinTech becomes mainstream

• AI adoption accelerates

• Digital payments grow rapidly

• Cybersecurity becomes essential

• Young talent demands better development

• Engineering and tech skills merge

For companies, this is the time to strengthen:

 ✔ Hiring strategies
 ✔ Workforce planning for 2026
 ✔ Training programmes
 ✔ Compensation benchmarking
 ✔ Employer branding

For workers, the message is clear:

 ✔ Build future skills
 ✔ Stay adaptable
 ✔ Combine core expertise with digital skills

Vietnam is no longer following global trends — it is part of shaping them.

FAQ Section

1. How is SFF relevant to Vietnam?

SFF offers early insight into global tech and fintech trends that will influence Vietnam’s digital economy, hiring needs, and skills in demand.

2. What tech roles are most in demand in Vietnam for 2026?

AI engineers, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, digital product managers, software engineers, and compliance professionals.

3. Is AI replacing jobs in Vietnam?

No. AI is transforming roles, not eliminating them. Workers who combine domain expertise with digital skills will have strong career opportunities.

4. What can Vietnamese companies do to remain competitive?

Invest in upskilling, build stronger employer branding, adopt hybrid work policies, and accelerate digital transformation.

✅ Final Author Credit

• By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

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

🔗 Related Articles

• Digital Marketing Recruitment Trends in Vietnam: Navigating the Evolving Landscape

References

• Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA)

• LinkedIn Global Skills Report

• APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025 (Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight)

• Google e-Conomy SEA Report

• Statista Vietnam FinTech Forecast

• World Bank Digital Transformation Insights

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