As Vietnam welcomes the new year 2026, Simon Matthews, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia at ManpowerGroup, spoke with Economic & Financial Review Magazine (Tap chi Kinh te & Tai Chinh) about the country’s economic outlook for the year ahead and the key factors expected to shape growth in the coming period.
Key highlights
- Vietnam enters 2026 as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest‑growing and most resilient economies.
- Strong post‑pandemic recovery and decisive government policies continue to attract significant foreign direct investment (FDI).
- In Q2 2026, Vietnam’s hiring demand remains strong across manufacturing, construction, technology, finance, healthcare, and social services.
- Vietnam’s 2026 opportunities and challenges revolve around three pillars: infrastructure, technology, and workforce quality.
- Digital transformation and the green economy are intensifying competition for skilled talent across domestic, FDI, and international markets.
- Reskilling and upskilling remain essential to bridge the workforce skills gap and meet global labor market standards.
- Growth of flexible work models (gig, freelance, hybrid) presents new opportunities but requires updated policies to ensure social protection.
- A competitive, comprehensive employee benefits system is becoming crucial for attracting and retaining high‑quality talent.
Businesses Remain Confident in Vietnam’s Investment Environment
Opening the conversation with Economic & Financial Review Magazine, Simon Matthews, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia at ManpowerGroup, affirmed that although Vietnam may be considered a “late starter,” it has been “growing fast” compared with many countries in the region - now emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s top performers in terms of economic growth.
Vietnam has emerged as a standout performer not only in Southeast Asia but on the global stage, thanks to its strong post‑pandemic recovery and its ability to sustain steady growth despite global geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and tariff pressures.
“Notably, Vietnam posted an impressive GDP growth rate of 8.02% in 2025 - far exceeding the Government’s initial target as well as forecasts from many international organizations. This performance underscores the country’s tremendous economic potential, its agile and effective response capabilities, and the Government’s decisive and well‑directed leadership,” Simon emphasized.
According to him, ManpowerGroup’s internal business performance over recent years shows that Vietnam has become one of the company’s fastest‑growing markets in the Asia–Pacific and Middle East (APME) region - especially since 2021, following the post‑Covid‑19 recovery period.
The newly released Q2 2026 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS) also reveals a positive hiring outlook for Vietnam in 2026. Specifically, the country’s Net Employment Outlook (NEO) - calculated as the percentage of employers expecting to increase hiring minus those expecting to reduce headcount over the next three months - surpasses both the APME regional average and the global average. Vietnam also ranks third among the 11 APME countries participating in the survey.
Vietnam’s Policy Direction Continues to Create Favorable Conditions
According to Simon Matthews, one of the key advantages ManpowerGroup experiences when operating in Vietnam is the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving the country’s business and investment climate - as well as the overall labor market.
From administrative reforms and business‑support policies to initiatives that accelerate digital transformation and innovation, Vietnam is also implementing attractive incentives to draw foreign direct investment (FDI). At the same time, the Government is making substantial investments in infrastructure - including logistics, seaports, transportation networks, and industrial zones. Together, these efforts are key drivers supporting sustainable economic growth and a more robust labor market.
Simon added, “These drivers have strengthened the confidence of FDI enterprises like Manpower Vietnam and reinforced our commitment to continue expanding and growing our operations in the country.”
He also noted that Vietnam’s increasingly open and business‑friendly environment is helping the country emerge as a trusted destination for many major global corporations across a wide range of industries.
Vietnam’s Strategic Economic Development Outlook for 2026
According to Simon Matthews, as Vietnam moves into 2026, the country’s opportunities and challenges will revolve around three core pillars: infrastructure, technology, and the development of a high‑quality workforce.
Infrastructure
Continued, coordinated investment in infrastructure - from urban planning and inter‑regional transportation links to the expansion of industrial parks and manufacturing‑related real estate - is making Vietnam increasingly attractive in the eyes of international investors.
This progress - combined with Vietnam’s stable political environment and ongoing efforts to modernize its business landscape - creates a clear competitive advantage. As a result, Vietnam is widely expected to continue benefiting from and attracting new waves of investment in the coming years.
Technology
In the area of technology, as Vietnam works to meet its growth targets amid the accelerating demands of digital transformation and the green economy, competition for talent among FDI companies, domestic enterprises, and the global market will only intensify. To stay competitive, Vietnam must prioritize equipping its workforce with strong foundational knowledge and transferable skills that align with both current and future job requirements - such as digital literacy, AI capabilities, soft skills, and foreign languages.
Workforce
In terms of talent, although hiring challenges across the region remain high, Manpower Vietnam’s Employment Outlook data indicates that workforce demand in Vietnam will continue to rise - especially for technically skilled professionals. The strongest demand is expected in manufacturing, construction and real estate, information technology, finance and banking, and healthcare and social services.
However, the skills gap between what the current workforce offers and what businesses require remains a major challenge. To sustain its growth trajectory, Vietnam must accelerate reskilling and upskilling initiatives, strengthen the link between education and industry needs, and align skills development with international standards. Close collaboration between the Government, employers, and educational institutions will be essential to overcoming this challenge.
Flexible work models – such as gig work, freelancing, and hybrid arrangements – are also expanding rapidly and are poised for further growth. While these models benefit both workers and employers, they also present challenges related to social protection. Appropriate regulatory frameworks are needed to both optimize the labor supply from this segment and ensure adequate protections for flexible workers, who are often more vulnerable during market fluctuations.
At the same time, both the Government and employers must deepen their understanding of worker expectations – from working conditions and career development opportunities to long‑term benefits.
Building a comprehensive, competitive, and well‑structured benefits system will not only help businesses attract high‑quality talent but also retain their existing workforce, reducing the risk of “brain drain” in an increasingly competitive labor market.
Original article: https://tapchikinhtetaichinh.vn/chien-luoc-phat-trien-kinh-te-cua-viet-nam-goi-mo-nhieu-ky-vong-cho-doanh-nghiep-148240.html