Vietnam's General Confederation of Labor proposes two minimum‑wage increase plans for 2027

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor submitted two options for raising the regional minimum wage effective 1 January 2027. Option 1 would lift the monthly minimum from 360,000 to 520,000 dong, an average rise of 9.8 % over 2026. Option 2 would raise it from 315,000 to 450,000 dong, an average increase of 8.5 %. The proposal also calls for setting the hourly minimum wage based on the revised monthly rate with an adjustment coefficient. A survey conducted in March–April 2026 with 196 enterprises and about 2,000 workers showed growing financial pressure: 54.3 % said their income just covers basic household needs, 17.2 % live frugally, and 20.6 % must work overtime to make ends meet. Borrowing has risen, with 26.8 % borrowing monthly to stabilise their lives. The data underline worsening cost‑of‑living challenges that the Confederation says justify the early wage adjustment.