A Snapshot for Global Business Partners
Vietnam’s labor market is showing strong performance in 2025, offering numerous growth opportunities for businesses aiming to tap into Southeast Asia’s vibrant manufacturing economy.
Let’s dive into the key stats that matter most for sourcing, manufacturing, and investing.
Workforce Size & Momentum
- Total labor force: As of the second quarter of 2025, Vietnam’s labor force aged 15 and up has grown to over 53 million—an increase of approximately 169,800 from the previous quarter and 553,200 year-over-year.
- Mid-year milestone: In the first six months of 2025, the labor force averaged 53 million, marking a substantial addition of 542,600 individuals compared to the same period in 2024.
Employment & Unemployment Trends
- Employed individuals: Employment numbers have steadily climbed to 52 million by Q2 2025, up from 51.9 million in Q1.
- Unemployment rate: Vietnam maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates globally:
- Q1 2025: 2.2%
- Q2 2025: Slightly increased to 2.24%—still impressively low.
- First half of 2025: 2.22%
These figures underscore a resilient labor market driven by exportation, job creation and demographic growth.
Labour Rates
- Average Wage: Average monthly income reached around USD $325 in Q1 2025. Social welfare and labor protection mechanisms are expanding, supporting workforce modernization and stability.
- Factory Wages: Looking specifically at factory worker rates, depends widely on the region. The more developed southern areas like Ho Chi Minh City typically have higher monthly wages between $400 USD, whereas northern regions typically make lower wages around $250 USD per month.
What These Stats Mean for Your Business
- Reliable Workforce Supply
The expanding labor pool and low unemployment reinforce Vietnam’s candidacy as a stable manufacturing and sourcing hub. - Structural Advantages
Growth in industrial & service employment speaks to enhanced capabilities from factories. - Competitive Labor Costs
Wages remain favourable in Vietnam over other Asian countries, such as China. - Improving Labor Quality
The drop in informal work and better social protections suggest a more skilled, secure, and productive workforce ahead. - Strategic Risks Matter
Nearly half the workforce is connected to export sectors.
Quick Summary Table
| Total Labour Force | ~53 million |
| Employed Individuals | ~52 million |
| Labour Force Participation | 68.2% |
| Unemployment Rate | ~2.2%–2.24% |
| Sectoral Share: Services | 40.8% |
| Sectoral Share: Industry | 33.2% |
| Sectoral Share: Agriculture | 25.9% |
| Informal Employment Rate | 63.5% |
| Avg Monthly Income | USD $325 |
Vietnam’s labor market in 2025 is characterized by expansion, structure, and increasing modernization which are assets that businesses can leverage. From established industrial strength and rising services to steady labor force growth and modest wages, the country remains a top-tier B2B destination.
For manufacturers, suppliers, and investors exploring Vietnam, these labor metrics reinforce the country’s strategic appeal: a growing, resilient, and increasingly capable workforce ready to support your next-level operations.
If you are ready to learn more about how you can utilize Vietnam’s thriving labour force to your advantage, contact us. We work with companies like yours, all over the world for sourcing, manufacturing, importing and exporting in Vietnam. Our services include business matching, sourcing, screening, company profiles and factory tours; quotations, negotiations and product sampling, manufacturing agreements, Purchase Order oversight, quality control inspections and complete freight forwarding / shipping logistics assistance, importing and exporting of goods … in other words we provide turnkey supply chain services in whole or in part.
>> VIETNAM TRADE NEWS
Quality Control Inspection Services in Vietnam from Vietnam B2B Direct
Vietnam B2B Direct has been delivering affordable, on site at factory premises in Vietnam, Quality Control Inspection Services and Quality Assurance for over 18 years. ... [Read More...]
International Housewares Association has partnered with Vietnam B2B Direct on a Vietnam Sourcing Trade Mission. The current Sourcing Trade Mission runs from April 15th- 17th, 2024... [View Here...]
>> BILL GADD, CEO
An International Entrepreneur and Business Leader multi-skilled in business start-ups, marketing, sales, administration, management and leadership for the past 33 years. ...
[Read more ...]
>> MANAGEMENT GROUP
Vietnam B2B Direct’s Management Group consists of well educated English-speaking Vietnamese Personnel in its Vietnam operations trained in western business practices.
Our management expertise includes Sourcing Agent Specialists, Business Development and Sales Reps, IT Programmer, Quality Control Engineer, Administration, Field Agents and Content Marketing & Website Management... [read more about Vietnam B2B Direct's personnel ...]
>> CONTACT US
Vietnam B2B Direct - International Trade Solutions Co., Ltd.
Head Office in Vietnam
2A / 20 Bach Dang Street
Ward 2, Tan Binh District
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
TEL +84 (0) 28 3844-7055
FAX +84 (0) 28 3842-3662
North American Offices 1-905-376-1700
Download our Company PowerPoint Presentation & Company Profile
Vietnam B2B Direct - International Trade Solutions Company Profile Vietnam B2B Direct Fact Sheet
For details of new business opportunities and for all your sourcing needs of products and manufacturers in Vietnam, please contact Vietnam B2B Direct ...