Job seekers attend an interview at the UEH Career Fair in HCM City on November 3. —Photo courtesy of the University of Economics HCM City

HCM CITY — Despite economic uncertainties, overall job orders in the third quarter of this year held stable compared to the same period last year, driven by robust hiring in manufacturing and tentative signs of recovery in banking and financial services, according to a report released by the payroll, recruitment and human outsourcing agency Adecco Vietnam.

During the period, industrial sales also experienced a slight rise in demand, while hiring for back-office functions remained consistent year over year, the Vietnam Talent Market Update showed.

The manufacturing and sourcing sectors saw a substantial rise in job orders, up by 35 per cent year-over-year and 52 per cent from the previous quarter.

This growth has been boosted by increasing export demand and foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in the electronics, textile, garment, and renewable energy sectors.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương, director of permanent recruitment services at Adecco Vietnam, said, “We are seeing an uptick in demand for specialised roles like production leaders, quality engineers, and sourcing managers, with Chinese language skills increasingly desired.”

This comes in the wake of significant FDI inflows, which reached US$24.78 billion in the first nine months of 2024, with over 60 per cent directed toward the manufacturing and processing industry, she said.

Industrial sales positions also recorded a modest rise, notably in mechanical and electrical (M&E) roles as firms expand to navigate economic shifts.

Technology hiring has shown consistent growth, mainly driven by ongoing digital transformation trends, with high demand for Java, DevSecOps and cybersecurity skills.

Nationwide hiring in tech has increased 35 per cent year-over-year, with a slight 5 per cent rise from Q2.

The banking and financial services sectors saw an upswing in hiring during Q3, which has been partly supported by changes in financial conditions. 

Following several rate cuts by the State Bank of Vietnam, banks benefited from increased liquidity, which eased some pressure on their capital and helped improve hiring in areas like investment and relationship management.

Job orders in this sector rose by 35 per cent compared to the quieter period last year.

High-demand positions include investment managers, corporate relationship managers, and collection specialists.

Back-office roles like human resources and finance & accounting have stayed steady, which matches industry priorities of cautious growth amid economic uncertainties.

The notable increase in FMCG marketing and sales roles suggests that companies in this sector are investing in brand growth and market share expansion, likely driven by consumer spending recovery.

In healthcare, hiring for nursing and medical technology roles remains stable but modest, reflecting the sector’s balanced approach to scaling operations while managing resources effectively.

Key account managers and sales and marketing professionals are in high demand across both FMCG and healthcare sectors.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thanh Chương, head of permanent recruitment service at Adecco Vietnam, said, “After a challenging first nine months, foreign investment and a recovering global economy have supported recent momentum. Looking ahead, Q4 is expected to sustain this trend, with an anticipated rebound in real estate and continued demand for skilled talent across industries. Local talent should prioritise not only securing current opportunities but also preparing for future career advancement.”

Career Fair

More than 30 companies took part in the UEH Career Fair that opened in HCM City on November 3.

These companies offered more than 2,000 job vacancies for students and workers in the city and neighbouring provinces.

The event featured a series of activities to help students assess career orientation and internships, and improve their skills to integrate into the labour market.

Assoc. Prof. Bùi Quang Hùng, deputy director of the University of Economics HCM City, the event’s organiser, said it was the second time the fair had been organised this year, reaffirming its commitment to connecting organisations, businesses, and individuals to work together for the goal of sustainable development for education and society. —VNS