Vietnam Embraces AI Shifts in Workforce

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Việt Nam is undergoing a significant shift in its labour market due to the rise of digital technology and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reports that around 11.5 million workers in Việt Nam, approximately one in five, could see changes in their job roles due to GenAI. However, the primary trend is job transformation rather than job loss, with routine tasks being automated and a shift towards positions requiring advanced skills.

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The impacts of this digital wave are uneven across different industries. Sectors like finance, insurance, wholesale and retail, and information and communications are among the most affected. Administrative roles face a particularly high risk of automation, with nearly two-thirds of positions potentially automated. Despite these changes, only about one million workers are at risk of full automation, suggesting a restructuring of job roles is more likely than widespread unemployment.

Sinwon Park, ILO’s Country Director in Việt Nam, emphasized the importance of leveraging GenAI for productivity and decent work. She highlighted the need for strong AI governance, investment in workforce skills, worker involvement in AI adoption, and ensuring responsible AI use, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. Major economic hubs like Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, and Đà Nẵng are the most affected, demonstrating the rapid impact of technological changes in key service centres.

Gender disparities are also evident, with women more likely to be in roles affected by AI. This highlights the necessity to include gender considerations in policy-making. Moreover, while AI can boost productivity and create new job models in sectors such as retail, several structural challenges remain. These include issues related to informal employment and job quality, with global unemployment and insecure work conditions projected to persist.

Việt Nam's challenge lies not only in creating jobs but also in ensuring they are of high quality and adaptable to change. A coordinated policy response is crucial, focusing on education, digital skills, and lifelong learning, as well as monitoring AI impacts. Experts stress the importance of responsible AI adoption and enhanced workplace dialogue, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and informal workers. The country's success in managing this transformation will determine whether it leads to inclusive development or exacerbates existing inequalities.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Vietnam News · 04 Mar 2026