Human resources are a key factor in a country’s success and progress. In its socio-economic development strategy until 2020, Vietnam pays special attention to human resource development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits an exhibition on vocational skills 

Despite enjoying a golden population structure and an abundant labor supply, Vietnam is facing major challenges in its international integration.

Vietnam has an abundant young workforce

An abundant young workforce is Vietnam’s biggest current advantage. According to the General Statistics Office, in 2018 Vietnam had a population of about 94 million people, 55 million are over 15 years old. Vietnam’s productivity has increased dramatically over the past few years. And the quality of the Vietnamese workforce has improved in response to new demands on the labor market.

Bui Anh Tuan, Rector of the Hanoi University of Foreign Trade, said "We attach great importance to human resource development focusing on reforming training and R&D. We have also strengthened cooperation between international organizations and Vietnamese enterprises and universities to work out new models of human resource development.”

Human resource development in international integration

In the context of extensive international integration, Vietnam needs to prepare its workforce to meet the requirements and benefits of international commitments.

Vietnam ranks 14th in the world in population and 38th in the size of its economy but its training is not in the world’s top 50. At the 18th Asian Human Resource Development Conference held recently in Hanoi, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said vocational training in Vietnam needs to catch up with other countries.

He said vocational training needs to match demand of the market and meet international standards.

“We need to develop cooperation mechanisms between universities, enterprises and the government focusing on key sectors and improving the quality of training to meet the demand of the market and the economy.

The State, the university and enterprises need better cooperation policies. Enterprises should get involved in developing training curriculum, participate in the training, receive students for internships, and recruit graduates. Universities need to improve the quality of teachers, recognize new skills needed by enterprises, and improve training facilities”, Mr. Phuc noted. 

The Prime Minister said the government and the education sector are devising policies to improve human resource development, reforming management methods, and fine-tuning the human resource system.

The government has created incentives to attract talented, experienced teachers, and scientists from other countries to participate in human resource training and R&D in Vietnam. The government has also implemented incentives to attract foreign universities and vocational training establishments to operate in Vietnam.