These findings were announced by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) at the National Wage Council's minimum wage negotiation for 2027 on 23/6. The survey was conducted in 3-4, involving 2,000 workers across nearly 200 businesses in 7 provinces and cities.

According to the survey, 55% of single workers cite wage pressure as the primary reason for delaying marriage. Many feel their current income is insufficient to secure a stable life for marriage, especially with rising living costs, housing, and child-rearing expenses.

Female workers on a garment production line at a company in Quang Chau Industrial Park, Bac Ninh, 3/2026. Photo: Pham Chieu

The labor organization notes that wages not only impact daily spending but also determine the ability to buy a home, save, and prepare financially for the future. When income barely covers living expenses, many workers are forced to postpone major personal life plans.

Financial pressure also significantly affects decisions about having children. Among married individuals, 73% state that their current wages influence plans to have more children. The increasing costs of education, healthcare, and raising children lead many families to choose postponement.

Education expenses remain one of the biggest burdens. 55% of workers report that their wages only cover a portion of their children's educational needs. Many resort to using savings, borrowing, or seeking support from relatives to cover education-related costs.

The ability to meet healthcare needs has also declined. Only 40% of surveyed individuals indicate their current income is sufficient for basic medical care, a decrease from 44% in 2025.

A worker's rented room in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Tung

Housing conditions for some workers continue to be challenging. Approximately 32% rent private rooms, and nearly 1% live in company dormitories. On average, a rented room of over 23 m2 houses about three people, equating to less than 8 m2 per person. The VGCL reports an increase in the proportion of workers renting compared to last year, while the average living space continues to shrink.

The survey also paints a picture of ongoing financial strain. 54% of workers report their income is just enough for basic family expenses; 17% must live frugally; 21% do not earn enough and must work overtime to supplement their income. Only 8% manage to save.

Notably, the percentage of workers who frequently borrow to cover spending shortfalls increased from 13% in 2025 to 27% this year. According to the labor organization, this indicates that living costs are rising faster than actual income improvement.

Although 64% of workers saw their regional minimum wage adjusted upwards in early 2026, many businesses only increased wages for low-income workers to meet social insurance regulations. As a result, the actual take-home pay for many workers remained largely unchanged.

Meanwhile, data from the General Statistics Office shows that the consumer price index (CPI) for the first 5 months of the year increased by 4,31% compared to the same period last year. Among the 11 main groups of goods and services, several saw significant increases: housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials rose by 6,6%; transportation by 5,2%; and food and catering services by nearly 4,8%.

Based on this reality, the VGCL proposes adjusting the regional minimum wage starting 1/1/2027, with two options: an increase of 9,8% or 8,5%. Under these proposals, wages for the four regions would be (unit: million VND):

In contrast, a representative from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) argues that wage adjustments must balance improving workers' lives with businesses' ability to maintain production and ensure employment amid economic fluctuations.

Hong Chieu