A vibrant labor market at the beginning of 2026

From the very first days of 2026, the labor market in Dong Nai province has remained vibrant, as enterprises secure orders through the end of the year and step up recruitment efforts, ranging from unskilled workers to highly skilled technical personnel.

Many companies have deployed staff to communes and wards to conduct on-site interviews or have organized online recruitment via livestreams on social media platforms. At the same time, they have introduced various welfare and incentive policies to attract workers.

Enterprises “rush” to recruit workers

Resuming operations immediately after the New Year holiday, Longwell Co., Ltd. (located in Dau Giay Industrial Park, Dau Giay commune) has sent staff to wards and communes across the province to recruit workers. The company is currently seeking more than 500 workers, offering monthly incomes ranging from 7.5 million VND to 15 million VND, depending on positions and individual capacity. Available positions range from sewing, molding, sole processing, product development to HSE officers, and office employees, among others. Despite offering multiple incentives and welfare schemes, the company continues to face significant challenges in recruiting sufficient labor.

Enterprises participate in recruitment activities at the Dong Nai Provincial Employment Service Center. Photo Nguyen Hoa

Hwaseung Vina Co., Ltd. (located in Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Park, Nhon Trach commune) has been continuously recruiting unskilled workers, offering monthly incomes of 6.7-10 million VND per person. According to Nguyen Dac Vinh, Deputy Head of the company’s Human Resources Department, in addition to direct recruitment, the company has recently coordinated with the Phuoc An Commune Public Administrative Service Center to connect with job seekers and meet production demands. This approach has helped create jobs for local workers while providing young people with access to official recruitment information and stable employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, many enterprises in the wood processing and garment sectors have also posted large-scale recruitment notices to serve production needs. Specifically, Keeseon Binh Phuoc Co., Ltd. (Dong Phu commune) is seeking to recruit 3,000 workers with a basic salary of more than 5.3 million VND per month; Damax Industrial Co., Ltd. (Dong Phu commune) is recruiting sanding workers with incomes ranging from 10-17 million VND per month; and Dong Phu Cuong Joint Stock Company (Thong Nhat commune) is urgently hiring 800 sewing workers, offering monthly incomes of 8-12 million VND. To attract labor, these enterprises have introduced a range of benefits, including fuel allowances, attendance bonuses, housing support, and seniority allowances.

According to Do Thi Ha, Head of Human Resources at Vietnam Fortune Technology International Co., Ltd. (located in Dong Xoai III Industrial Park, Binh Phuoc ward), from late 2025, the company has continuously posted vacancies for 200 unskilled workers, offering a probationary income of more than 5.3 million VND per month. In addition, the enterprise provides policies to support employees with young children, organizes company trips, offers gifts on holidays and during the Lunar New Year, and pays 13th- and 14th-month salaries along with various other allowances. However, recruitment remains challenging and has yet to meet production workforce requirements.

Facing persistent labor shortages, some enterprises have adopted innovative recruitment methods by livestreaming on social media platforms. This approach enables broad outreach, disseminating recruitment information to thousands of viewers simultaneously, particularly young workers. Through this format, candidates can ask questions directly and gain a clearer understanding of the recruiters’ corporate culture and working environment. Moreover, enterprises can reach job seekers more quickly, with candidates able to commence work immediately if they meet the job requirements.

Strengthening labor connectivity

Improved orders at the beginning of 2026, along with major export markets, have sent positive signals for production and business activities of many enterprises in Dong Nai province. According to a report from the Department of Home Affairs, the provincial labor market is expected to remain dynamic throughout 2026. It is forecast that enterprises across the province will require approximately 55,000 workers in the period ahead.

Representatives of enterprises participate in recruitment activities at the Dong Nai Provincial Employment Service Center. Photo Nguyen Hoa

Currently, the monthly search for workers has become a significant pressure on human resources departments across enterprises in the province. As the local labor supply falls short of demand, companies have been compelled to adjust their recruitment approaches and enhance welfare policies. In addition, many enterprises have increased wages and bonuses to retain skilled and experienced workers.

According to Nguyen Van Canh, Director of the Dong Nai Provincial Employment Service Center, in 2025, the center implemented three models to strengthen labor supply–demand linkages and improve the effectiveness of career counseling and job placement services for enterprises. Specifically, these included a collaborator model supporting job placement for workers across the province; a model applying technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to organize job fairs; and the creation of a “Job corner” for students.

At the 1st Congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union for the 2025–2030 term, held in late December 2025, Ton Ngoc Hanh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Council, called on the Dong Nai Trade Union to implement activities aimed at connecting, introducing, and creating opportunities for employment and vocational training, while ensuring sustainable jobs and stable incomes for union members and workers.

These models have proven effective in improving access to workers and providing them with information on enterprises’ recruitment needs for specific job positions. As a result, more than 141,000 individuals received job counseling, exceeding the 2025 plan by 127%. Notably, under the model on collaborators supporting job placement, 95 communes and wards have designated civil servants in charge of labor and employment within their culture and social affairs divisions, along with more than 2,200 collaborators from hamlets, villages, and residential quarters participating in the grassroots job placement support network. The center will continue to scale up these models in 2026 to strengthen employment linkages between enterprises and workers further.

According to Nguyen Van Canh, to meet enterprises’ workforce demands, the Dong Nai Provincial Employment Service Center will intensify coordination with local authorities, the Dong Nai provincial Economic and Industrial Zones Authority (DEIZA), vocational training institutions, and mass organizations to enhance communication, counseling, and job placement activities. These efforts aim to align labor supply and demand better, to employ 100% of working-age people. Looking toward 2030, Dong Nai province targets more than 2.6 million people participating in the labor market, in line with the objectives set out in the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term.

By Nguyen Hoa – Translated by Hong Van, Thu Ha