Hanoi needs 120,000 workers in Q2 amid economic recovery

THE HANOI TIMES — Home to expanding businesses and a recovering economy, Hanoi plans to hire nearly 120,000 workers in the second quarter of 2025, in line with the city's target to create 169,000 new jobs this year, according to the Hanoi Center for Employment Service under the city's Department of Home Affairs.

Hiring demand rises across key sectors

The center noted that with many businesses ramping up operations, demand for workers is likely to increase across multiple industries in the second quarter.

Manufacturing, healthcare, renewable energy, finance, and digital technology are among the sectors actively seeking talents. The city's business policies and economic stimulus measures have boosted hiring activity, the agency said.

Vu Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Center for Employment Service, said that hiring demand, which had already shown strong momentum in March, is expected to continue, especially in industrial production, trade, services, and technology-driven sectors.

He added that a recent labor market survey by the center showed that among the 1,408 enterprises questioned, wholesale, retail, and services accounted for nearly 59% of total hiring demand, reflecting a strong economic recovery after Tet (the Lunar New Year). Meanwhile, manufacturing and construction hiring has risen by nearly 9.5% month-over-month, driven by increased production and infrastructure projects.

Employers are hiring for sales, technical, and service roles, as well as business operations and digital transformation professionals. Notably, demand for experienced information technology professionals has increased while hiring of new graduates in this field has slowed.

Unskilled workers continued to make up 36% of total hiring needs, while college graduates accounted for 33%. In addition, skilled workers without formal degrees constituted nearly 10% of job postings.

Salary expectations varied by skills, with 51% of job postings offering VND5 million-VND10 million ($195-$391) per month, mainly for general labor and technical roles. Another 30% of jobs offered VND10 million-VND20 million ($391-$783) per month, targeting professional and managerial positions.

The city is also committed to upgrading the qualifications of its workforce, with a focus on increasing the proportion of trained workers to 75% and keeping the city's unemployment rate below 3%.

Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said that achieving these goals will require drastic measures such as improving social insurance policies, promoting technological innovation, and upgrading industrial production processes in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Hanoi is also restructuring its industrial sector, promoting high-tech agriculture, and expanding sustainable market linkages. The tourism industry is another key focus, with efforts to develop unique, high-quality experiences that boost visitor spending and drive job creation.

To ensure long-term workforce development, the city is implementing a project to upgrade vocational education from 2025 to 2030, with a vision to 2035. This includes enhancing career orientation programs for students and fostering stronger partnerships between vocational schools and businesses to meet labor market demands.

Hanoi’s employment initiatives have led to impressive results. In 2024, the city generated 225,000 new jobs, surpassing 36.3% of its annual target.

Positive hiring outlook for Q2/2025

ManpowerGroup's Q2/2025 Employment Survey revealed a strong hiring trend across Asia-Pacific, with Vietnam showing promising growth. Demand is particularly robust in the technology, finance, real estate, and consumer services sectors, indicating long-term economic confidence.

Vo Thi Bich Thuy, Regional Manager South, Permanent Recruitment & Executive Search at ManpowerGroup Vietnam, said that companies are cautiously expanding their workforce while prioritizing productivity improvements. While hiring is on the rise, many firms remain selective, focusing on experienced candidates to lead strategic projects.