On the morning of 11/7, during its second session, 13 out of 16 members of the National Wage Council voted in favor of the 7.2% increase, achieving an approval rate of over 81%. The meeting took place earlier than the planned August schedule.
The proposal suggests increasing the monthly minimum wage in Region 1 from 4.96 to 5.31 million VND; Region 2 from 4.41 to 4.73 million VND; Region 3 from 3.86 to 4.14 million VND; and Region 4 from 3.45 to 3.7 million VND. Hourly minimum wages will also be adjusted accordingly.
| Region | From 1/7/2024 (million VND) | Proposed 1/1/2026 (million VND) | Increase (thousand VND) |
| I | 4.96 | 5.31 | 350 |
| II | 4.41 | 4.73 | 320 |
| III | 3.86 | 4.14 | 280 |
| IV | 3.45 | 3.7 | 250 |
| Average | 4.17 | 4.47 | 300 |
Nguyen Manh Khuong, Chairman of the National Wage Council, stated that the 7.2% increase is appropriate for the current economic climate.
Meanwhile, Hoang Quang Phong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), representing employers, expressed reservations, describing the increase as high. However, due to the principle of consensus, VCCI accepted the proposal. He noted that businesses will need time to adjust production plans and retain skilled workers.
Conversely, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor maintained its proposal for a 9.2% increase to offset living expenses and address rising inflation. Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice President of the Confederation, emphasized that wage increases are not a burden for businesses, but rather a motivation for mutual development.
This proposal is based on positive economic indicators, including an estimated 7.96% GDP growth rate in Quarter II, the second-highest in the 2020-2025 period. However, workers' lives are still affected by rising fuel and essential goods prices.
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The second meeting of the National Wage Council on the morning of 11/7. Photo: Hong Chieu |
The second meeting of the National Wage Council on the morning of 11/7. Photo: Hong Chieu
A survey conducted by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in April, involving over 3,000 workers across 10 provinces and cities, revealed that 55% of workers only have enough for basic expenses; 26% struggle with their expenses; and 8% do not have enough to live on and must work extra jobs. Notably, 73% of single workers cited their current wages as the main reason for delaying marriage due to concerns about providing a stable life or caring for children in the future.
According to the General Statistics Office, the average income in Quarter II reached 8.2 million VND, a decrease from Quarter I due to the absence of Tet bonuses. Male workers earned an average of 9.3 million VND per month, while female workers earned 7 million VND. In the first six months of the year, average income increased by 10% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 8.3 million VND.
The most recent regional minimum wage adjustment was on 1/7/2024, with a 6% increase. This was considered a balance between businesses and workers, ensuring the minimum standard of living in 2025. Currently, the hourly minimum wage ranges from 16,600 to 23,800 VND, depending on the region.
Hoang Phuong
