Vietnam ranks 3rd in the Asia Pacific & Middle East (APME) region and 10th globally among 42 markets in the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
- Vietnam reported a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 28% for Q3 2026.
- Hiring growth is primarily driven by business expansion, while economic uncertainty is a primary reason for anticipated staffing reductions.
- The Technology & IT Services sector leads all industries in hiring demand, posting a NEO of 50%.
- The strongest hiring demand is observed in the Southern region (33%) and among mid-sized organizations with 50–249 employees (39%).
- Employers identify AI adoption and upskilling as having the most significant impact on productivity over the past 12 months.
- Employers are willing to pay a premium to attract candidates with strong AI literacy, digital literacy, and adaptability.
VIETNAM (JUNE 9, 2026) – Vietnam’s hiring outlook remains positive in Q3 2026, despite growing employer caution, according to the latest ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey. The survey of 265 employers nationwide reports a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) stands at +28%, down of 19 percentage points quarter-over-quarter. Despite this moderation, Vietnam continues to maintain a strong hiring landscape, matching the Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) regional average of 28% and outperforming the global average by 2 points (26%).
The Q3 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, conducted during April 1 - 30, 2026, gathered insights from more than 40,500 employers across 42 countries and territories. Among the 265 employers surveyed in Vietnam, 49% expect to expand their workforce in Q3 2026, 21% anticipate a decrease in headcount, and 27% plan to maintain current staffing levels.
“This quarter, we’re seeing Vietnam’s labor market transition from strong optimism to more measured confidence. While rising energy costs and broader global disruptions are prompting employers to take a more cautious approach, hiring demand remains resilient,” said Nguyen Thu Trang, Head of Manpower, Manpower Vietnam. “Employers are still hiring but they are prioritizing critical roles and skills that directly support productivity, competitiveness and long-term growth.”
What is driving Vietnam’s hiring outlook in Q3?
- Among businesses planning to increase staffing, 51% identify company expansion as the main driver, with this factor most pronounced in Trade & Logistics (61%) and companies with 250–999 employees (62%). Additionally, 32% of employers report that technological advancements are fueling hiring demand, as organizations seek specialized skills.
- Economic challenges are the leading reason cited by employers expecting staffing declines in Q3. This concern is more pronounced in Vietnam (54%) than globally (37%) and across APME (38%), highlighting heightened sensitivity to external volatility.
- For employers holding staffing levels steady in Q3, decisions are driven equally by caution and strategy: 35% are taking a wait-and-see approach to the economy, while another 35% prioritize retaining their existing workforce.
Hiring expectations by region, organization, and industry sector
- Businesses in the southern region reported the strongest hiring outlook, with a NEO of 33% for Q3.
- Hiring activity is strongest among mid-sized organizations (50–249 employees), with a NEO of 39%.
- The Technology & IT Services sector leads Q3 hiring outlook in all industries in Vietnam, with a NEO of 50%. This reflects strong, ongoing demand driven by digital expansion, as companies continue to build in-house capabilities and compete for scarce tech talent.
- Trade & Logistics saw the sharpest rebound this quarter, jumping 26 points compared to the previous quarter. This puts the sector 3 points above the global average, underscoring Vietnam’s growing role as a trusted hub in the regional supply chain and renewed momentum in its logistics-driven economy.
AI adoption and upskilling set the pace for productivity gains
AI is steadily transforming how organizations approach productivity and workforce management, but Q3 data suggests employers are still hesitant to fully rely on it.
- Around 70–75% of employers in Vietnam identify AI adoption and upskilling - including both general capability building and AI-specific training - as key contributors to productivity gains over the past 12 months.
- Despite growing AI adoption, human involvement in recruitment remains critical. In Vietnam, 63% of employers value both human resume review and AI-powered career development tools equally, reflecting a balanced, hybrid approach to hiring.
- 52% of employers value third-party recruitment and staffing partners, as organizations seek external expertise to secure in-demand skills and improve workforce agility in an increasingly complex talent market.
AI Skills, Digital Literacy, and Adaptability Emerge as Key Talent Priorities
As digital transformation accelerates, employers in Vietnam are increasingly willing to pay a premium for future-ready talent.
- AI literacy ranks as the most in-demand technical skill, with 83% of employers in Vietnam willing to pay more for candidates able to understand and use AI tools effectively and responsibly – rising to 88% among businesses in the South. Other skills prioritized include:
- Customer service (80%)
- Traditional IT & data skills (80%)
- Sales & Marketing (77%) AI Model & App Development (75%)
- Beyond technical expertise, employers place strong emphasis on digital literacy and adaptability & willingness to learn, with a higher willingness to pay for these soft skills compared to the APME average, reflecting the growing importance of resilience and learning agility in a changing world of work.
“Businesses are not replacing traditional skills with AI but rather building on top of them.” added Trang Nguyen. “There is a growing demand for talent who can combine strong technical foundations or customer-facing capabilities with the agility to adapt, learn and work alongside new technologies.”
To explore hiring trends of Vietnam in detail, view the full Q3 2026 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey at: https://www.manpower.com.vn/en/insights/meos/2026
The next survey will be released in September 2026, reporting hiring expectations for Q4 2026.
###
ABOUT THE SURVEY
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, now in its 64th year, is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key labor market indicator. The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The data for the third quarter was collected between April 1–30, 2026. The findings are based on interviews with 40,592 public and private employers across 42 countries to measure anticipated employment changes and trends. The results reflect employer sentiment at the time of data collection and may not capture the potential impact of subsequent events. Size of organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons.
ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2026 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 17th time; all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.
For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries and industries, and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, whose information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.
