VIETNAM’S HIRING OUTLOOK REMAINS POSITIVE IN Q3

Job seekers complete documents at a job bazaar in HCMC – PHOTO: MINH THAO

HCMC – Vietnam’s hiring outlook remains positive in Q3 2026, despite growing employer caution, according to the latest ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey.

The Q3 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, conducted during April 1-30, 2026, gathered insights from more than 40,500 employers across 42 countries and territories.

Among the 265 employers surveyed in Vietnam, 49% expect to expand their workforce in Q3/2026, 21% anticipate a decrease in headcount, and 27% plan to maintain current staffing levels.

“This quarter, we are seeing Vietnam’s labor market transition from strong optimism to more measured confidence. While rising energy costs and broader global disruptions are prompting employers to take a more cautious approach, hiring demand remains resilient,” said Nguyen Thu Trang, head of Manpower, Manpower Vietnam.

“Employers are still hiring but they are prioritizing critical roles and skills that directly support productivity, competitiveness and long-term growth,” she added.

Among businesses planning to increase staffing, 51% identify company expansion as the main driver, with this factor most pronounced in Trade & Logistics (61%) and companies with 250-999 employees (62%). Additionally, 32% of employers report that technological advancements are fueling hiring demand, as organizations seek specialized skills.

Economic challenges are the leading reason cited by employers expecting staffing declines in Q3. This concern is more pronounced in Vietnam (54%) than globally (37%) and across APME (38%), highlighting heightened sensitivity to external volatility.

Businesses in the southern region reported the strongest hiring outlook, with a NEO of 33% for Q3. Hiring activity is strongest among mid-sized organizations (50-249 employees), with a NEO of 39%.

AI is steadily transforming how organizations approach productivity and workforce management, but Q3 data suggests employers are still hesitant to fully rely on it.

Around 70-75% of employers in Vietnam identify AI adoption and upskilling, including both general capability building and AI-specific training, as key contributors to productivity gains over the past 12 months.

As digital transformation accelerates, employers in Vietnam are increasingly willing to pay a premium for future-ready talent.

AI literacy ranks as the most in-demand technical skill, with 83% of employers in Vietnam willing to pay more for candidates able to understand and use AI tools effectively and responsibly – rising to 88% among businesses in the south.

Other skills prioritized include customer service (80%), traditional IT & data skills (80%), sales & marketing (77%), AI model & app development (75%).

Source: The Saigon Times