Vietnam's IT sector thirsty for new recruits

According to a report released by TopDev on September 19, the demand for high-tech personnel is soaring, with salaries for specialists in these fields continuously increasing. The average salary for a developer in Vietnam in 2024 is estimated to range from $1,100 to $3,000 per month, depending on skills and experience. Notably, specialised positions such as AI engineers and cybersecurity experts can command salaries well above the average due to the scarcity of talent and the critical nature of these roles in businesses.

The rapid development of the technology market creates numerous job opportunities and poses significant challenges for businesses. One of the most notable challenges is the shortage of skilled professionals. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam's IT market needs to add at least 500,000 technology workers in 2025 to meet demand. This necessitates a pressing need for businesses to implement upskilling and reskilling programmes for their employees.

In addition, Vietnam is witnessing a wave of comprehensive digital transformation, spreading strongly in many important fields such as finance, banking, and public services. The report indicates that digital transformation initiatives are bringing significant change in the way businesses operate, with a focus on integrating advanced technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and data analytics​.

Although Vietnam's IT market has great potential for growth, there still exist major challenges that businesses and investors need to face. One of the main challenges is technology infrastructure, especially in the context of 5G networks, data centres, and cloud services gradually becoming an inevitable need. To continue to develop sustainably, Vietnam needs to increase investment in upgrading infrastructure, ensuring enough capacity to meet the growing demand for technological development.

In addition, network security and data security issues also place great pressure on IT businesses. In an age where cyberattacks are increasingly sophisticated, compliance with network security standards and data security regulations becomes a mandatory requirement if businesses want to participate in the global supply chain. This requires businesses not only to improve technology, but also to focus on training human resources with high expertise in data security.

According to the report, one of the major challenges facing the IT labour market is increased demand for experienced positions, especially in complex fields such as cybersecurity and AI. The demand for experienced professionals far exceeds the supply, placing great pressure on businesses to attract and retain talent. This means businesses need to focus on recruiting and deploy internal training to develop and improve the skills of their staff.

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