Vietnam: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Vietnam?

Viet Nam's unemployment rate among people of working age was 2.22% in the first nine months of 2026, unchanged from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. The rate was 2.55% in urban areas and 1.99% in rural areas, according to the NSO's full report.

52.7 million people were in work, 683.8 thousand more than a year earlier. The underemployment rate, people who want and are available to work more hours, was 1.53%. The figures come from the NSO's labour force survey.

Official sources: NSO: Socio-economic performance infographic, Q3 and first 9 months of 2026 (PDF) · NSO: Socio-economic report, Q3 and 9 months of 2026 (Vietnamese, DOCX)

What is youth unemployment in Vietnam?

Unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 in Viet Nam was 8.87% in the first nine months of 2026, 0.5 percentage points higher than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office highlights report. The NSO says this is the highest nine-month rate since 2020.

In the third quarter alone the youth rate was 9.07%, and 12.49% in urban areas, according to the NSO's full report. The NSO links the rise to the difficulty young people face in finding work as employers ask for higher skills.

Official sources: NSO: Highlights of the socio-economic situation, Q3 and 9 months of 2026 (Vietnamese, DOCX) · NSO: Socio-economic report, Q3 and 9 months of 2026 (Vietnamese, DOCX)

What is the average salary in Vietnam?

Average monthly income of workers in Viet Nam was 9.1 million dong in the first nine months of 2026, 752.8 thousand dong (9.1%) more than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office socio-economic report. Wage employees earned 10.1 million dong a month on average.

Men earned 10.2 million dong a month and women 7.8 million; urban workers earned 10.7 million and rural workers 8.0 million. The averages include all workers, including the self-employed and farmers, so they differ from wage figures alone. The figures come from the NSO's labour force survey.

Official sources: NSO: Socio-economic report, Q3 and 9 months of 2026 (Vietnamese, DOCX) · NSO: Socio-economic performance infographic, Q3 and first 9 months of 2026 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Vietnam?

Viet Nam sets monthly minimum wages for four regions by government decree. For 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs proposed a rise of about 7%, or 250,000 to 350,000 dong a month depending on the region, from 1 January 2026, according to the Government News portal.

Employers and workers may agree higher pay, but it must not fall below the minimum for the region. The regional amounts in force under the final decree could not be read on the Ministry of Home Affairs or government legal documents websites on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Government News: Ministry proposes 7% increase in regional minimum wage from 2026

How much does it cost Vietnamese workers to work abroad?

Vietnamese workers going abroad for work paid about 125.7 million dong each on average in 2025, down from 164.9 million dong in 2021, according to a National Statistics Office report produced with the International Organization for Migration.

Average earnings in the first month abroad rose from 22.4 million dong to 28.1 million dong. As a result, the recruitment cost indicator, the cost as a multiple of first-month earnings, fell from 7.4 to 4.5: workers needed about four and a half months of pay to recover what they paid before leaving. Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan account for more than three quarters of workers going abroad.

Official sources: NSO: In-depth analysis report of costs borne by Vietnamese workers for employment abroad (PDF)

How much is the minimum wage in Vietnam?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Vietnam was 4,960,000 VND a month (about $205) in 2024. No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the average monthly salary in Vietnam?

$355 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Vietnam for 2024, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $468 a month, and Vietnam placed 4th highest of 5. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 59th highest.

What is Vietnam's unemployment rate?

1.5%: that is the unemployment rate in Vietnam for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 2.4% in 2021 and the low 1.0% in 2011. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.9%, and Vietnam placed 20th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 164th of 174.

How many young people in Vietnam are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Vietnam at 6.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 7.1%; its low point was 2011, at 3.2%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 7.5%, and Vietnam placed 16th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 140th highest.

How many people in Vietnam are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Vietnam was 72.8%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 65.3%, and Vietnam placed 4th highest of 24. Worldwide: 23rd of 174.

What share of women in Vietnam are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Vietnam was 68.6%, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 4th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 19th highest.

What share of adults in Vietnam have a job?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 71.7%. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 4th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 63.1%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 19th highest.

How many workers in Vietnam are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Vietnam was 51.4% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 40.0%, and Vietnam placed 9th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 51st highest.

How many people in Vietnam are employees?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Vietnam was 46.7%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 16th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.8%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 124th highest.