Vietnam graduates face employment challenges despite high academic honors

High-achieving university graduates in Vietnam are increasingly struggling to secure suitable employment, raising questions regarding the value of academic degrees and the alignment of training with industry needs.

Trần Anh Tuấn, a human resources forecasting expert and Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Vocational Education Association, notes that difficulties vary between students who are unemployed, those working in unrelated fields, and those working in their field but failing to meet specific job requirements. Key issues include a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, such as data analysis or client presentation skills.

Furthermore, market imbalances exist where certain popular majors produce more graduates than there are quality positions available, while specialized technical and technology sectors face labor shortages. Other contributing factors include lack of experience, high income expectations, and geographic location preferences.