Even with attractive pay and benefits, employers still face labor shortages, revealing a gap between demand and supply.
In Tan Tao Ward, PouYuen Vietnam Company Limited posted 4,000 jobs for its second quarter production, but so far has filled only around 1,000 positions despite extensive recruitment efforts.
According to Mr. Cu Phat Nghiep, Chairman of PouYuen’s Trade Union, the company offers generous benefits, including a 13th-month bonus, 24/7 accident insurance, childcare, on-site kindergartens and shuttle buses, yet recruitment has fallen short of expectations.
Similar challenges are reported by other firms. Mr. Luu Kim Hong, Chairman of Nidec Vietnam’s Trade Union in the Saigon High-Tech Park, said that the company needs around 600 workers but recruits only about 10 per day. Diamond Vietnam Company Limited and Ampacs International Company Limited also face similar shortages, each seeking roughly 1,000 employees. Even with training, direct contracts, insurance, and stable income, the workforce gap persists.
The current labor market shows intense competition among employers. Many raise wages and benefits yet still struggle to attract staff.
On the side of job seekers, they also face challenges. At a job fair in Ho Chi Minh City in March, Ms. Nguyen Nhu Quynh, with eight years’ experience, applied to multiple companies for a VND10–12 million (US$380- US$456) per month accounting role before receiving responses.
In the first quarter of 2026, Ho Chi Minh City had 82,762 positions from 5,959 companies, while only 52,641 job seekers were available, reflecting localized labor shortages, particularly among low-skilled workers.
To address workforce gaps, Ho Chi Minh City has increased efforts to connect supply and demand. The Employment Service Center has organized multiple job fairs and recruitment events. Recently, the “Second 2026 Job Fair” combined in-person and online formats across three main offices and six unemployment insurance points, attracting over 3,000 job seekers and 154 companies, with more than 19,090 positions available.
The labor market is also shifting toward quality over quantity. Companies increasingly seek skills, particularly adaptability to technology and modern workplaces.
Mr. Ho Dac Dang Khoa, HR Deputy Director at Deo Ca Group, noted that such events give employers access to a diverse candidate pool and shorten recruitment time. Ms. Nguyen Van Hanh Thuc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Employment Service Center, highlighted the role of job fairs and online platforms in connecting workers to opportunities, offering guidance, and conducting on-site interviews.
For the second quarter of 2026, the Employment Service Center forecasts continued high demand of 60,000–75,000 positions, while supply may slightly decrease as workers remain in current jobs. Coordinated solutions, including vocational training, local job development, worker housing support, digital recruitment and transparent labor market information, are crucial to addressing the city’s employment challenges.
