Vietnam recruitment trends shift focus from degrees to practical skills

Recruitment trends in Vietnam are shifting as employers increasingly prioritize practical skills, adaptability, and attitude over formal academic degrees. A report titled ‘Elevating Vietnamese Human Resources 2026’, conducted by British University Vietnam and Decision Lab, highlights that while degrees serve as initial signals, employers are looking for tangible evidence of competence.

Key findings indicate that over half of surveyed employers value international degrees due to the confidence and multicultural adaptability they provide, particularly in technology and digital economy sectors. Furthermore, 44% of recruiters believe relevant work experience can substitute for a prestigious degree.

In the vocational sector, experts note that college and intermediate students can remain competitive by mastering practical skills, digital literacy, and foreign languages. While degrees remain a necessary condition for many roles, the ability to perform tasks and adapt to technological changes is becoming the deciding factor for job retention and career development. However, collaboration between businesses and educational institutions remains limited, with only 15% of employers participating in curriculum development.