Flexible work arrangements, especially the four-day workweek, become a global trend designed to boost productivity and improve work-life balance for talent and many Vietnamese employers are considering adopting this model.

This shift is highlighted in the Talent Guide 2025 released by Navigos Group, a recruitment service provider in Vietnam. This report is grounded in survey data from over 3,400 professionals and more than 500 companies of various nationalities operating within Vietnam.

Job seekers at a job fair in Ba Vi District. Photo: Tran Oanh/The Hanoi Times

In addition to flexible work options, the report highlighted the rise of AI technology in the recruiting process with 28% of companies surveyed having implemented AI to streamline resume screening and candidate data analysis.

This trend is expected to grow as organizations realize the benefits of AI in improving recruitment efficiency. Advanced technologies such as machine learning and natural language processing will be increasingly used to improve the candidate experience and help employers find talent quickly and accurately.

The Navigos Group report revealed a significant shift in recruitment demand and HR strategies for 2024, with 54.7% of companies expressing a need to hire. Meanwhile, 26.6% planned to maintain stable hiring levels, and 18.7% anticipated reductions due to economic pressures.

Despite a general trend toward increased hiring this year, many Vietnamese businesses remain cautious about optimizing resources. Only 37.4% plan to increase headcount by less than 10%, while 30% expect growth of between 10% and less than 20%. 

Employers prefer candidates with one to three years of experience (55.5%) and three to five years  (27.4%). The most in-demand positions are in business/sales (59.4%), manufacturing (33%), and customer service (24.3%).

In terms of skills, employers place a high value on problem-solving abilities (73%) and effective communication (63%), alongside foreign language proficiency, analytical thinking, and adaptability.

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Local workers at the Katolec Vietnam factory in Quang Minh Industrial Park, Hanoi Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

Vietnam is entering a period of robust growth driven by the digital economy and transformation, creating many new job opportunities in sectors such as information technology, finance, manufacturing, and logistics.

According to Navigos Group, the demand for skilled workers in certain industries is skyrocketing, yet there is a notable shortage of quality talent with a high demand for data scientists, AI researchers, machine learning engineers, and data researchers.

In addition, Vietnam's logistics sector faces a significant workforce shortage, particularly in the maritime and warehousing sectors, while the semiconductor industry is thriving due to investment attraction policies and high-quality workforce training. In particular, Vietnam has the potential to become a semiconductor talent hub as major tech firms such as NVIDIA expand their presence in the country.

To adapt to market changes, the staffing firm recommended that companies focus on improving analytical thinking, creativity, and technology skills. Investing in AI tools can streamline operations and boost productivity. 

For job seekers, it's critical to build skills in AI, data, and digital technology, with a focus on languages such as English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, to meet hiring demands in a stabilizing and growing economy.