Vietnam's labour market in the first half of 2026 is no place for those who stand still. If you are aged 30 – 45, the stage considered the "prime" of a career, you have probably already felt the heat of the wave of job cuts breathing down your neck.
1. Numbers that "speak" to a harsh reality
According to the latest statistics up to the end of Q1/2026, the economy is going through a powerful shake-out:
• Businesses leaving the game: In the first 3 months of the year alone, nearly 92,000 businesses nationwide withdrew from the market (an average of more than 30,000 per month). This is an increase of more than 16% over the same period last year.
• The unemployment hotspot: In economic powerhouses such as Ho Chi Minh City, a painful paradox has emerged: 54% of those applying for unemployment benefits are aged 30 – 45.
• "Double" pressure: This age group is squeezed between Gen Z, who adapt to technology extremely quickly and accept flexible pay, on one side, and the demanding standards of new-era businesses on the other.
The truth is: your 10-15 years of experience will become meaningless if it does not incorporate the value the market is "thirsty" for.
2. ESG – helping you and your business stand firm in a new era
While many traditional professions are shrinking, one wave is booming: ESG (Environmental – Social – Governance).
From 2026, ESG is no longer "jewellery" for the annual report; it has become a mandatory condition for Vietnamese businesses to:
1. Export: Overcome carbon tax barriers such as the EU's CBAM.
2. Raise capital: Access green credit from banks and international investment funds.
3. Survive: Comply with the Government's strict data transparency regulations.
However, the market is suffering a severe "hunger" for ESG professionals. Demand for experts capable of delivering sustainability reporting and governance has risen by 8%, yet the supply of hands-on talent meets only about half of it.
3. The ESG Expert Programme at VietESG
To avoid being swept away by the layoff wave, the fastest way to evolve is to equip yourself with the capabilities that businesses are ready to "roll out the red carpet" for.
VietESG's ESG Expert training programme is designed to help seasoned managers and specialists break through:
• International standards, Vietnamese practice: We do not teach empty theory. The content focuses on global standardised frameworks such as GRI and IFRS S1/S2, combined with the specific legal context of Vietnam.
• Mastering digital tools: Leverage the technology infrastructure of the VietESG ecosystem to automate reporting and turn raw numbers into strategic data for the business.
• Expert standing: After the programme, you will not just be someone who prepares reports, but the architect of the organisation's sustainable development roadmap – a position that is almost "untouchable" in any wave of cuts.
Don't wait until you receive a redundancy notice to start learning to adapt. The world is turning Green. Will you choose to stay behind, or will you be the one steering the ESG ship?
Advisory hotline: 0977064965 – Ms. Hoa
