Vietnam's labour market shifts toward AI skills as firms digitise operations

ManpowerGroup’s Q3 2026 hiring outlook shows Vietnam’s employment market remains positive, with a net employment outlook of 28 % despite a 19‑point drop from the previous quarter. About half of surveyed firms plan to increase hiring, and demand for workers skilled in artificial intelligence, digital technologies and data is rising sharply. Eighty‑three percent of companies say they are ready to offer higher pay to candidates proficient in AI, while 70‑75 % view AI tools as key to boosting productivity.

In the textile sector, Vietnam’s long‑standing producer Viet Thắng (VICOTEX) has rolled out the Bravo ERP system to centralise data across production, finance and logistics. The new platform provides real‑time inventory visibility, cutting raw‑material stock from roughly 12 million to under 2 million metres of fabric and improving cost control, planning and sales responsiveness.

Other economic updates from Thanh Hóa province highlight a push for export competitiveness: a large‑scale duck‑breeding model, expanded policy credit for farmers, flexible production strategies in the textile industry, and rapid growth of online shopping (55 % of adults). The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce warned of a potential 12.5 % tariff from the United States, underscoring the need for stronger supply‑chain autonomy.