British University Vietnam (BUV) and Decision Lab announced the "Elevating Vietnamese Human Resources 2026" report on 8/10. The announcement took place at an international conference on educational cooperation in the digital era, organized by the Ministry of Education and Training.
The report is based on a survey of 375 senior recruitment experts from Vietnamese and foreign direct investment (FDI) businesses in Hanoi and TP HCM. The survey also included 20 in-depth interviews.
Currently, the recruitment of new graduates often relies on limited information, such as degrees and academic scores. Approximately 56% of businesses favor candidates with international degrees, largely because these individuals typically possess stronger English proficiency, confidence, and the ability to ask questions, engage in critical discussions, and present views to senior colleagues.
However, few employers consider a degree a decisive factor, as it does not guarantee sustained work performance. They view it as an initial indicator, subsequently seeking more robust evidence of a candidate's capabilities through interviews, assessments, internships, recommendation letters, and job performance post-hire.
Other companies base recruitment decisions on a manager's judgment of how candidates communicate, reason when handling tasks, and react to unexpected questions.
When asked, "What factors can replace a prestigious university degree in hiring decisions?", 44% of employers cited work experience, followed by 26% who pointed to professional certifications.
The head of talent acquisition at one company noted that if a candidate only lists an internship and a series of job descriptions without specifying achievements or explaining their contributions, assessment becomes challenging.
"A specific project, a clear outcome, or an improvement against targets is far more convincing," the individual stated.
Le Quoc Vinh, Chairman of Le Group, encourages students to complete as many internships as possible, beyond mandatory school schedules. This approach helps them learn workplace etiquette and understand corporate culture, moving beyond theoretical knowledge.
Professor Rick Bennett, Vice Chancellor and Vice President of British University Vietnam, proposed the "Degree Plus" model. This model combines a university degree with certified professional competencies. Under this approach, universities and businesses collaboratively design practical training programs, equipping students with a competency certificate alongside their academic transcripts.
Duong Tam
