Foreign firms go on hiring spree

Foreign enterprises across industries are expanding their payrolls, maintaining strong hiring initiatives to support long-term objectives.

Electric motorbike manufacturing in a factory of Honda Vietnam in Vinh Phuc Province, March 2025. Photo by Nguyen Linh

German business consultancy SAP last week announced plans to invest EUR150 million (US$175 million) over the next five years in its SAP Labs Vietnam research and development center in HCMC.

Since September last year it has hired over 200 people, and hopes to add another 350 this year.

The technology sector saw a 30% year-on-year jump in hiring demand in the second quarter, according to recruitment and outsourcing company Adecco.

The increase was partly driven by the expansion of technology centers established by foreign corporations in Vietnam.

Across various sectors beyond tech too foreign enterprises continue to seek new talent.

In August Honda’s factory in the northern province of Phu Tho hired hundreds of workers to support the launch of electric two-wheeler sales.

Foxconn in the northern province of Bac Ninh sought to hire engineers in a range of specializations, production team leaders and warehouse staff.

The hiring momentum among foreign investors extends to both established players and new investors, who are flooding into the country.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham) reported stable hiring trends in the first half of 2025, with 45% of its member companies expanding their workforces and 16% keeping them steady.

This shows many enterprises are focused on long-term growth, it noted.

Adecco also reported a 59% year-on-year increase in demand in manufacturing and engineering, largely propelled by foreign direct investment, which jumped by 27% in the first seven months.

Investors spent $13.6 billion, the highest level for the January-July period since 2021.

In northern Vietnam, new factories have spurred demand for experienced Vietnamese managers to oversee construction and operations.

Established facilities are looking for candidates to fill key technical roles such as product engineers and quality managers, who account for nearly 70% of hiring demand, according to Adecco.

The renewable energy sector is also witnessing a wave of hiring at projects under the adjusted national power plan.

Recruitment for solar, wind, and liquefied gas projects in Ninh Thuan Province (now known as Khanh Hoa) and Thanh Hoa Province surged by 62%.

“While most large-scale projects are awaiting approval, demand for technical personnel has already begun, especially in design, engineering and project development,” Adecco’s report said.

The steady hiring by foreign enterprises is helping brighten the labor market outlook.

A second quarter report by recruitment platform Vieclam24h said 26.4% of all enterprises trimmed their workforce in the past 12 months.

“Vietnam’s labor market is caught between layoffs and cautious hiring. Enterprises prioritize workforce stability, focusing on roles that deliver tangible value.”

It said 56.2% plan to enlarge their workforce in the third quarter, albeit selectively.

Current demand is concentrated around sales, production/technical engineers and skilled manual laborers.

Chuong Nguyen, director of Adecco Vietnam’s recruitment rervices, expects a stable trajectory in the third quarter on the back of a global economic recovery and stabilizing trade relations and domestic investments in infrastructure development.

“Enterprises will continue with selective hiring strategies.”

He added that key roles with skills aligned to future trends would be prioritized to optimize operations and enhance adaptability.

Source: e.vnexpress