Shifting Paradigms in Vietnam’s IT Employment Landscape
Two years ago, a student enrolled in an Information Technology program, anticipating a pathway to secure employment. He diligently pursued internships, including unpaid opportunities, from his sophomore year onward.
Over the course of his journey, he worked at three different firms before joining a software outsourcing company, where his initial stipend amounted to VND50,000 (approximately US$1.9) per day for an eight-hour commitment.
After five months, his remuneration increased to VND6 million monthly. However, upon inquiring about the potential for full-time employment, he faced rejection, prompting him to leave the position.
In his quest for new opportunities, he encountered a demanding job market that favored candidates with artificial intelligence skills, with many positions offering salaries between VND10–12 million.
“The current IT landscape isn’t accommodating for average individuals possessing only basic coding knowledge like myself,” he remarked.
This narrative illustrates a wider phenomenon within the industry. A recent survey at a prominent technical university in Ho Chi Minh City revealed that six out of ten computer science graduates, either recent or impending, have yet to secure positions that meet their qualifications.
Discussions on various online platforms indicate a growing consensus among technology students that the long-held belief in IT studies guaranteeing employment is fading.
“Job openings for new IT graduates are more restrictive than before, particularly for those with only traditional coding skills,” noted a human resources manager at a software solutions company in an interview with VnExpress International.
A student at the University of Information Technology, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, is engaged in a game programming course. Photo courtesy of the university.
According to a report by JobOKO, a recruitment platform, nearly 582,000 job postings in the first ten months of 2025 showcased a 16.92% decline in job openings within the IT sector compared to the previous year.
Other job platforms like VietnamWorks and TopCV suggest signs of recovery, albeit with a discernible shift towards roles demanding higher skill levels.
Dr. Trinh Thanh Binh, head of the information systems department at Phenikaa University’s School of Information Technology in Hanoi, asserts that the job market is unlikely to revert to its previous state, where companies readily trained fresh graduates.
“The market is not lacking in people; it is lacking in the right fit. Although job opportunities persist, they have transformed from readily attainable to fiercely competitive,” she elaborated.
Pham Tuan Anh, director of JobOKO, indicated a paradigm shift as companies move away from mass hiring of fresh graduates toward a more discerning selection process that values experience and specialization.
Phan Manh Dan, a senior HR director at Rikkeisoft, observed a 20–30% decline in students meeting essential entry requirements compared to two years prior.
“We’re not merely seeking individuals who can write code; they need a comprehensive understanding of customer requirements and a wider perspective on the product,” he remarked.
According to Tran Xuan Ngoc Thao, director of HR and communications at VNG Corporation, the advent of AI is reshaping engineering roles, necessitating adaptability to novel workflows and collaboration with AI tools.
While coding remains a fundamental prerequisite, practical competencies and soft skills have grown increasingly paramount, overshadowing degrees or years of experience.
Recruitment analyses underscore a pervasive gap in both specialized expertise and essential soft skills, including communication, critical thinking, and a product-oriented mindset.
Binh attributes this disparity to a mismatch between educational training and actual industry requirements, highlighting many students’ lack of project experience and specialization.
Key skills like systems thinking, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and AI-driven self-learning remain woefully underdeveloped, he emphasized.
Despite these hurdles, experts maintain that the IT labor market still harbors prospects for those willing to adapt and engage in continuous learning.
“Young IT engineers should avoid falling into a state of despondency,” asserted Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Vu, vice dean of the faculty of information technology at the University of Science, Vietnam National University, HCMC.
He pointed out that Vietnam frequently lags in adopting new technologies, implying that many large corporations and systems adopt AI cautiously, often at a rudimentary level, due to stability and security concerns.
“This represents a unique opportunity for IT professionals to swiftly enhance their skills ahead of the industry’s inevitable embrace of AI,” he advised.
Dan encourages students to prioritize gaining practical experience, even if it necessitates accepting lower initial salaries to gain insight into business operations.
He also stresses the importance of developing critical thinking and soft skills, which are less likely to be supplanted by AI.
“Those who continually upgrade their skills will always find a place. Complacency, on the other hand, leaves one vulnerable to being overshadowed by more AI-proficient individuals,” he cautioned.
Some students are already embracing adaptation. Truong Giang, a final-year IT student at FPT University in Hanoi, focuses on advanced software testing skills.
“AI is here to stay, so I’m concentrating on developing capabilities that AI cannot yet replicate,” he stated.
As for Thanh, although he plans to finish his degree, he no longer aspires to pursue a career in IT. “My enthusiasm for this field has waned, and I’m currently generating a commendable income from my own business,” he shared.
Source link: E.vnexpress.net.
