Employees in Vietnam prioritize learning opportunities, corporate culture, and compensation in their job selection.

A recent report titled “The Future of Work,” conducted by The Sentry and Decision Lab, sheds light on the factors that matter most to employees in Hanoi and HCMC when choosing their employers. Among the 503 individuals surveyed, nearly half of them placed a high emphasis on the availability of learning opportunities. The report, which surveyed professionals across various sectors, including technology, education, manufacturing, and construction, offers valuable insights into the prevailing trends shaping the present and future work environment. Following learning opportunities, “corporate culture” and “income and benefits” emerged as the second most important considerations for job seekers, with 46% of respondents expressing their agreement for each category. Nevertheless, these preferences vary among different demographic groups. While a majority of Generation Z members, currently aged between 14 and 26, are keen on enhancing their skills through education, individuals aged 27 to 42, belonging to Generation Y, prioritize financial security and benefits as their top concerns. Analysts suggest this difference is because Gen Z is at the early stages of their careers and eager to learn and grow, while Gen Y is well-established in their jobs and faces more financial pressures. Local applicants also take into account an employer’s commitment to their professional development, leadership opportunities, collaboration prospects, workplace flexibility, and work-life balance. In essence, a new concept of the “dream job” is emerging in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnamese employees are demonstrating a discerning approach as they seek their ideal workplaces. Amid numerous options, they carefully evaluate how these factors align with their career goals and aspirations at various stages of life. “It is not just about the money,” said analysts. Employee expectations in the workplace Thue Quist Thomasen, CEO of Decision Lab, emphasized, “The report highlights that a hybrid working model is the most preferred option among employees, offering them the best of both worlds: flexibility and collaboration.” He noted that people continue to value the advantages of office work, both in terms of social interaction and professional development, pointing to data indicating that only 9% of employees enjoy working remotely. According to the report, 15% of workers favor office environments, while 14% believe they can maintain their productivity equally well in a traditional office setting or from home. A significant majority of respondents (77%) cited the elimination of the daily commute as one of the advantages of working from home (WFH). Supporters of WFH believe it enhances adaptability, reduces work-related stress, and promotes work-life balance. On the contrary, self-discipline emerges as a major concern among respondents when it comes to the drawbacks of WFH, with 75% expressing apprehension. Many individuals facing challenges with WFH struggle to build relationships and networks, conduct meetings and communication effectively, and cope with distractions. Within the office environment, employees have distinct preferences for what makes a workspace ideal. According to the report, a majority of respondents (61%) value comfortable tables and chairs, while 54% indicate a need for robust security measures, and 51% prefer convenient locations. Additionally, 48% of workers express a preference for a quiet workspace. The appeal of an ideal office space encompasses various factors, including the presence of multi-purpose areas, pleasant lighting conditions, access to support services, and the availability of open spaces. The evolving face of modern offices Analysts from The Sentry and Decision Lab have pointed out that local workers in Vietnam are increasingly embracing innovations in the modern workplace. Notably, concepts like fostering a green and eco-friendly work environment, creating an office space that prioritizes well-being, and reducing the number of working days have gained substantial popularity among survey participants. Data reveals that every proposed idea received the support of two-thirds of local workers, with the notion of a green workplace garnering the approval of three-quarters of respondents. When it comes to future workplace trends, local workers see a world of opportunities. An astonishing 74% of respondents believe that robots hold the most promising potential, closely followed by augmented reality and virtual reality technology (AR/VR) at 72%, and artificial intelligence (AI) at 61%. Analysts highlight that these emerging trends are seen as opportunities to enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation, rather than threats, by local workers. However, experts have noted that some individuals harbor concerns regarding the potential impact of technological innovation on their careers. These concerns primarily revolve around the fear of being replaced or becoming obsolete. According to the research, 21% of respondents perceive AI as a potential threat, surpassing the number of individuals who view robots as a concern, standing at 13%, and those who consider AR/VR as a threat, at 11%.