As Vietnam moves into 2026, labour demand in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding industrial regions is expected to remain strong. However, hiring growth is likely to become more differentiated by location and industry, reflecting each area’s economic development priorities.

According to data released by the Ho Chi Minh City Employment Service Center, enterprises registered nearly 314,000 job vacancies in 2025. Looking ahead, recruitment demand in 2026 is projected to continue at a high level, supported by the city’s long-term economic development plans.

While these figures indicate positive momentum, many employers are also becoming more selective, focusing on productivity, skills alignment, and long-term workforce stability.

I. Regional Hiring Trends

1. Former Ho Chi Minh City Area

As the country’s main commercial and service hub, this area continues to see demand in:

• Office and administrative roles
• Finance and accounting
• Information technology
• E-commerce and retail
• Food & Beverage
• Tourism and hospitality

These roles reflect the city’s strength in services, technology, and consumer-driven industries.

2. Former Binh Duong Area

In the former Binh Duong region, hiring demand remains concentrated in:

• General workers
• Production line operators
• Manufacturing staff

This aligns with Binh Duong’s long-standing role as one of Vietnam’s key industrial zones.

3. Former Ba Ria – Vung Tau Area

For 2026, this region is expected to benefit from growing activity in:

• Port operations
• Logistics and transportation
• Port-related services

With the continued development of the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port complex, demand may increase for skilled professionals in:

• Warehouse and logistics operations
• Maritime engineering
• Port management
• Coastal tourism

II. Industry Demand: Where Hiring Appears Strongest

Based on 2025 recruitment data, hiring demand shows clear variation across sectors:

• General labour: ~125,000 positions (nearly 40%)
• Manufacturing & engineering: ~73,000 positions (over 23%)
• Textiles & footwear: ~29,000 positions

These figures suggest that operational, technical, and production-related roles continue to play a central role in Vietnam’s labour market.

III. Supply vs Demand: A Potential Mismatch

In 2025, nearly 192,000 job seekers registered with employment service centers. However, labour supply does not always align perfectly with employer demand.

The largest job-seeking groups included:

• Manufacturing & processing: ~54,000 candidates
• Textiles, footwear & wood furniture: ~39,000 candidates
• Office, finance & IT: ~35,000 candidates

This indicates that despite a large workforce pool, some employers may continue to face challenges in finding candidates with the right skills, experience, or location preferences.

IV. Key Takeaways for Employers in 2026

As the hiring landscape becomes more competitive and segmented, employers may benefit from considering the following approaches:

• Align recruitment strategies with regional strengths
• Invest in upskilling and workforce development
• Offer clearer career pathways and performance frameworks
• Strengthen employer branding
• Partner with reliable recruitment agencies for market insights and talent access

Rather than focusing purely on headcount growth, many organisations are shifting toward building more resilient, skilled, and engaged teams.

V. Final Thoughts

Overall, hiring in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding regions in 2026 is expected to remain active, but more strategic and selective. Companies that plan ahead, communicate clearly, and invest in people development may be better positioned to attract and retain quality talent in an increasingly competitive market.

These insights are based on publicly available data and market reports and should be viewed as indicative trends rather than fixed forecasts.