Vietnam’s economy is experiencing a pivotal moment, with GDP growth projected to exceed 8 percent. Yet, amid this economic optimism lies a dual challenge for the labor market: a shortage of high-skilled talent and the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various professions.
A key resource shedding light on these dynamics is the sixth annual recruitment market report titled “Recruitment Trends 2026: Being Proactive in an Era of Multiple Transformations,” conducted by TopCV Vietnam. This report provides a transparent and comprehensive analysis of labor supply and demand through quantitative methods, drawing insights from more than 3,000 recruitment representatives across diverse business sectors.
The data reflects a combination of feedback from enterprises and job seekers during the third quarter of 2025, along with nearly 300,000 job postings analyzed from the TopCV platform and other sources.
IT Average Income
Within the labor market, the IT & Software sector stands out with the highest average salaries. In a bid to attract top-tier digital talent amidst fierce competition, companies are rolling out exceptional compensation packages for specialized roles. For instance, the median monthly salary for a Solution Architect with over five years of experience reaches a staggering VND56.329 million. Similarly, senior IT management roles, such as department heads, command median salaries around VND53.572 million per month.
Notably, emerging technologies like AI have created substantial earning opportunities in the field. Roles like AI Engineers and Data Engineers can expect median incomes exceeding VND38.532 million per month, even without managerial responsibilities. Beyond IT, sectors such as Legal & Audit (VND45 million) and Business Management (VND40.087 million) also rank among the highest income earners.
However, recruitment remains challenging in the IT sector, with the five most difficult positions to fill identified as AI Engineer, Bridge Engineer, Solution Architect, Mobile App Developer, and Software Architect. The primary challenges cited include a shortage of highly skilled candidates (55 percent), intense competition from tech giants (49.6 percent), and limited candidate availability (34.3 percent).
Interestingly, the demand for Business/Sales roles has surged, with this sector prioritizing recruitment more than others, accounting for 47.5 percent of total market demand, demonstrating a significant shift towards skills in sales and business management.
Shifting Recruitment Landscape
The recruitment landscape for 2026 reflects a notable transition from quantity to quality. According to TopCV, 52.2 percent of enterprises are focusing not on mass hiring, but on “maintaining headcount while optimizing performance.” Such a strategy emphasizes the importance of employee retention and development over mere numerical growth.
Other sectors maintaining sustained high demand for recruitment include IT & Software (8.64 percent), Marketing/Communication/Advertising (8.22 percent), and Customer Service (6.1 percent). This indicates a multifaceted approach to recruitment that prioritizes not just filling roles but ensuring the right talent fits within each organization.
The Vulnerable Sectors
As AI continues to permeate various industries, about 40.7 percent of businesses have already integrated this technology into their development strategies. While AI offers significant advancements, it also raises concerns about job displacement in roles associated with repetitive tasks.
The report identifies Customer Service (30.1 percent), Marketing/Communication/Advertising (27.51 percent), Business/Sales (18.32 percent), IT – Software (16.92 percent), and Finance/Accounting (14.97 percent) as the most vulnerable occupational groups. Workers in these fields are encouraged to continuously learn and adapt to evolving technologies to remain competitive.
TopCV experts advocate for a “dual competency framework” for workers, combining professional expertise with proficiency in AI utilization to remain relevant. Notably, 59.1 percent of enterprises are investing in internal AI skills training, presenting opportunities for those who are open to upskilling and reskilling.
Moreover, workers should strive for a balance between technical abilities and essential soft skills. The report reveals a critical gap, especially in the IT sector, where 47.3 percent of candidates lack key competencies in communication and presentation, 39.7 percent in critical thinking, and 33.6 percent in product thinking. Strengthening these skills could help candidates become well-rounded professionals who are equipped to navigate the complexities of modern workplaces.
For the IT sector, enterprises are particularly focused on evaluating candidates’ practical skills through demonstrable projects and relevant technology experience, indicating a shift towards performance-based assessments in hiring.
In conjunction with these trends, notable recognition has emerged for companies leading the way in workplace culture. For example, Viettel has been highlighted as the best employer in the technology sector according to the “100 Best Places to Work in Vietnam 2025” survey conducted by Anphabe, underscoring the growing importance of workplace environments in talent attraction and retention.
As the recruitment trends evolve, the interplay between technological advancements and workforce readiness will remain critical in shaping Vietnam’s economic future.
Du Lam