Vietnam ranks among world’s top 10 hiring markets as tech, logistics drive demand

The survey of 265 employers in Vietnam points to a labor market where hiring demand remains strong even as businesses place greater emphasis on cost control and operational efficiency.

Vietnam’s Net Employment Outlook (NEO) index stood at 28 percent for the third quarter, placing the country third in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region and 10th among 42 markets surveyed worldwide.

While the outlook remains positive, the figure is down 19 percentage points from the previous quarter, suggesting that many companies are shifting from aggressive hiring earlier in the year to a stronger focus on cost management and operational efficiency.

Among the employers polled, 49 percent plan to increase staffing levels, 27 percent expect no change, and 21 percent anticipate workforce reductions.

Nguyen Thu Trang, head of Manpower Brand at Manpower Vietnam, said employers are taking a measured approach to workforce planning as they navigate rising energy costs and broader global uncertainties, though overall hiring sentiment remains positive.

The technology and IT services sector recorded the strongest hiring outlook at 50 percent, the highest among all industries surveyed.

The result reflects growing demand for digital talent as Vietnam accelerates its national digital transformation efforts.

Trade and logistics ranked second and posted the largest quarterly improvement, with their NEO rising by 26 percentage points from the previous quarter.

The increase highlights Vietnam’s expanding role in regional supply chains and the continued recovery of cross-border commerce.

Medium-sized companies with 50-249 employees reported the strongest hiring intentions, with a NEO of 39 percent.

Regionally, southern Vietnam remained the country’s most active recruitment market, posting a hiring outlook of 33 percent.

Artificial intelligence is also increasingly shaping recruitment priorities.

Around 70-75 percent of employers said AI tools and skills development have been key drivers of productivity gains over the past year.

Competition for AI-skilled talent is intensifying.

Some 83 percent of Vietnamese employers said they are willing to offer higher compensation to candidates with AI knowledge and the ability to apply it effectively in the workplace.

The figure rises to 88 percent among employers in southern Vietnam.

Employers continue to prioritize technical capabilities in areas such as information technology, data, and customer service, each cited by 80 percent of respondents.

At the same time, companies are placing growing value on adaptive soft skills.

Employers do not see AI as a substitute for traditional competencies but as a complement to them, Trang said.

She added that demand is rising for workers who combine technical expertise with adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to work effectively with emerging technologies.

Despite the positive outlook, the survey identified macroeconomic uncertainty as a major concern.

Among employers planning to reduce headcount, 54 percent cited economic instability as the primary reason, well above the global average of 37 percent, indicating the sensitivity of Vietnamese businesses to external economic fluctuations.

The report also forecasts a growing divide in Vietnam’s labor market in the coming months.

While lower-skilled positions could face pressure from cost-cutting efforts, workers in critical roles and those with strong digital capabilities are expected to maintain a stronger position in salary negotiations.