Hanoi prioritizes job creation for growth

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi will continue to prioritize job creation and labor market development in the coming months, as this field remains the city's key concern for growth.

Ramp up job creation and labor reforms

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Home Affairs Nguyen Tay Nam said that the city aims to generate 169,000 jobs and bring the urban unemployment rate below 3% this year.

He said the city will focus on improving the business environment, simplifying administrative procedures, and providing comprehensive support to small and medium-sized enterprises to generate jobs.

Hanoi has bostered its labor supply through 255 regular job exchange sessions while diversifying employment transaction activities for more effective services.

"The city is building a comprehensive labor market information database for a more accessible network," said Nam. 

He said Hanoi is set to accelerate loan disbursement from local budgets through the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, aiming to support disadvantaged and targeted groups. The city has also stepped up efforts to promote overseas employment opportunities and improve job placement services for returning workers.

In parallel, authorities have strengthened communication on labor laws and employment policies to foster a safer and better working environment.

Despite these measures, unemployment remains a pressing issue, especially among low-skilled, older workers and those in seasonal sectors. Meanwhile, several enterprises continue to scale down operations, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of laborers.

To address these challenges, Nam said Hanoi will strengthen labor market forecasting and expand vocational training and reskilling programs for displaced workers. 

Other measure will be assisting job seekers in accessing preferential credit and supporting self-employment and small businesses.

"These solutions aim to boost job creation, strengthen the labor market, and support Hanoi’s overall socioeconomic growth," said Nam.

Significant results

Thanks to a broad range of job-matching and employment solutions, Hanoi’s labor market showed strong signs of improvement in 2025, with job placements rising and unemployment falling compared to previous years.

With the help of city-run employment exchange events, Bui Le Thanh, from Hoai Duc District, secured a sales position at a construction materials company at a recent job fair in Nam Tu Liem District, though he had failed to find reliable options on some social networks. 

Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Lang of Gia Lam District said he accessed a VND70 million (US$2,697) loan from Hanoi’s Social Policy Bank to expand his pomelo orchard. This investment generated income for his family and created an additional job for another worker.

Thanh and Lang are two of more than 105,000 individuals across Hanoi who secured employment in the first five months of 2025 through city-led labor market programs.

According to the Hanoi Department of Home Affairs, employment rose nearly 20% year-on-year, meeting 62.3% of the city’s annual goal.

Social policy credit programs funded job creation for 34,000 people, with a total of VND1.7 trillion ($65.5 million) disbursed.

Employment exchange events and job service centers helped another 12,900 people find new jobs. Notably, more than 56,000 people secured work through referrals from businesses, social organizations, and startup projects. These efforts contribute to the city’s goal of building a more dynamic and inclusive labor market.