A Manpower Vietnam Q4/2026 recruitment trends survey, conducted across 285 businesses nationwide, revealed a very high demand for skilled personnel. 52% of these businesses plan to increase recruitment in the final three months of the year. However, 50% of businesses stated it takes longer to find suitable candidates compared to the same period in 2025, due to limited supply and an insufficient number of appropriately skilled applicants.

The demand for skilled personnel is concentrated in fields such as AI, semiconductors, logistics automation, supply chain, and high-tech manufacturing. Nevertheless, recruiting high-quality candidates for specialized technical positions and mid-level management or higher is challenging. For instance, the labor supply-demand imbalance in the semiconductor industry is significant: currently, there are about 15,000 workers nationwide in this sector, while the target for 2030 is 50,000 people.

The trend of recruiting entry-level personnel is also increasing across many sectors, including: construction and real estate (45%), finance and insurance (62%), information (77%), manufacturing (62%), professional, scientific, and technical services (58%), and trade and logistics (50%).

Semiconductor chips and electronic components from Vietnamese businesses and universities, displayed at an exhibition in november 2025. *Luu Quy*.

Vo Thi Bich Thuy, operations director at Manpower Vietnam, notes that businesses' requirements for high-quality human resources are evolving. Previously, recruitment prioritized qualifications, experience, foreign language proficiency, and management skills. Now, these factors are basic requirements, with demand shifting towards candidates capable of implementing digital transformation, optimizing operations, managing in international environments, and creating new value for organizations.

"In other words, businesses once hired people to operate tasks, but today they recruit individuals who can drive growth and innovation," she stated.

According to experts, competition for high-quality human resources was primarily localized within provinces or cities. In the coming years, this competition will expand. Vietnam therefore needs to develop a competent local workforce by continuing to invest in and improve the quality of its human resources through training. Special emphasis should be placed on training in potential fields such as semiconductors, AI, information technology, and high technology.

Beyond technical expertise, training should also focus on foreign language proficiency, communication, cross-cultural collaboration, and the ability to work according to global standards. Simultaneously, Vietnam should more actively attract overseas Vietnamese experts, as they represent an exceptionally valuable resource. They possess international experience, global networks, an understanding of Vietnamese culture, and a desire to contribute when suitable opportunities arise.

Hong Chieu