What LinkedIn Data Reveals About Vietnam’s Labor Market

Technology and Digital Roles Lead the Market

The report highlights Computer Programming and Information Technology as the fastest-growing career field since 1986. In the late 1980s, only around 5 out of every 100 graduates entered the IT sector. By 2025, that number has increased to approximately 15 out of 100, reflecting the rapid expansion of Vietnam’s digital economy, startup ecosystem, and nationwide digital transformation efforts.

Marketing and Advertising have also seen strong growth, particularly over the last decade, fueled by e-commerce, social media, and digital business models.

Meanwhile, traditional fields such as Law and Accounting have experienced a noticeable decline since 2015. Experts cited in the report explain that these professions are not disappearing, but are being reshaped by automation, AI tools, and rising expectations for digital and analytical capabilities.

Digital Skills Are Becoming Essential

Across nearly all industries, employers increasingly prioritize digital competencies, data analysis, and technology-related skills.

The study found that the most common skills among IT professionals include:

• Software Engineering
• Software Development
• JavaScript
• Web Development
• ReactJS
• Problem Solving

In Marketing and Advertising, the most in-demand capabilities include:

• Digital Marketing
• Content Creation
• Market Research
• Data Analysis

Project Management, Team Leadership, and Business Development emerged as the most transferable cross-industry skills.

According to HR experts interviewed in the study, Vietnamese companies are no longer evaluating candidates solely based on degrees. Practical skills, adaptability, and the ability to learn quickly are becoming more important hiring criteria.

Lifelong Learning and Certifications on the Rise

The research also shows a sharp increase in online certifications and short-term training programs, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Basic digital skills and IT-related certifications are now the most commonly listed credentials on LinkedIn profiles across multiple industries. Workers increasingly use certifications to:

• stay competitive,
• adapt to market changes,
• and close skill gaps faster than traditional education systems can respond.

This reflects a broader shift from “learn once, work for life” toward continuous upskilling and lifelong learning.

AI Is Reshaping Career Paths

One of the report’s strongest conclusions is the growing impact of artificial intelligence on Vietnam’s workforce.

AI is not only creating demand for technology-related jobs, but also transforming how existing roles are performed. Employers now expect workers to:

• collaborate with technology,
• learn continuously,
• and adapt to changing workflows.

As a result, the future workforce will likely require a combination of technical knowledge, business understanding, and human-centered skills such as communication, leadership, and problem solving.

A Data-Driven Future for Workforce Development

The study suggests that Vietnam needs stronger labor market data systems to better predict future workforce demands and guide both workers and policymakers.

Experts warn against choosing careers solely based on short-term “hot trends,” noting that rapid technological changes could quickly reshape today’s most attractive industries.

Instead, long-term adaptability and continuous learning are expected to become the most valuable assets in the modern labor market.

Source:
This article summarizes findings from the report “Identifying Vietnam’s Labor Market: Evidence from LinkedIn Data” by Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, as published and visualized by VnExpress.