Young people in Viet Nam face growing challenges in finding decent work. Strengthening career guidance and inclusive support is key to helping youth navigate transitions and seize opportunities in the green and digital economy.

Ha Noi, Viet Nam - We met Thao (a pseudonym to protect her privacy) in an ILO event. She is 27, a bit quiet but thoughtful. Five years ago, she graduated with honours from one of Viet Nam’s top universities. Her family was proud, her lecturers impressed, and she felt ready to begin a meaningful career.

But today, Thao is still searching, not just for a job, but for a clearer direction in her life. 

“I thought communication would be a good fit,” she told us. “But the reality was different. Late working nights, high-pressure events, demanding tasks requiring multiple new skills. I was not aware of and prepared for that. At one point, I even had to seek psychological support”. 

Thao’s story is not unique. Across Viet Nam, thousands of young graduates are navigating a labour market that’s evolving faster than their education can keep pace. In Quarter 2, 2025, youth (aged 15-24) unemployment stood at 8.19 per cent, according to the National Statistics Office, more than three times higher higher than the rate for the general working-age population. More worrying, 1.35 million youth (aged 15-24), equivalent to 10.1 per cent of the total youth population were not in employment, education, or training (NEET), with young women more likely to be NEET than young men. 

Even among those who are employed, many young workers, especially those who are at the early career period face informal work arrangements and decent work deficits, including low wages, excessive overtime, limited or without access to social protection, and lack of career prospects. 

Thao tried different work opportunities, from an office job, to baking, pottery, and even tarot reading. “The pay was low, I never joined social insurance, and I did not know how to move forward.” She paused, then added quietly, “My English is not strong enough to get better jobs. That has been a big barrier, too.”

University classrooms prepare students with knowledge, but too often they graduate without the career support needed to build meaningful and decent futures.

The promise and the challenges of green and digital jobs

Viet Nam is undergoing a profound transformation. The government’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and the digitalization of industries are reshaping the labour market in a rapidly growing economy. Green jobs in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and manufacturing, and digital roles in data analysis, software development, and e-commerce, are emerging roles to be considered.

But for graduates like Thao, these opportunities feel distant.

“I heard about green and digital jobs,” she said. “But I did not know how to get there. I did not study technology or engineering.”

In 2021, according to the World Bank, green jobs made up just 3.6 per cent of total employment in Viet Nam and were dominated by male and older workers. While that number is expected to grow, many of these roles require specialized training and/or technical skills. Meanwhile, only 29.1 per cent of Vietnamese workers have certified qualifications (in Q2 of 2025).  Although the number of youth enrolling in STEM fields is gradually increasing, it remains relatively limited. At the same time, access to upskilling opportunities, particularly for non-STEM graduates, continues to be constrained, leaving many young people unprepared for emerging roles in the digital and green economy.

The need for stronger career development support

Thao’s experience reflects a broader challenge: the lack of structured career development support for young people. While universities provide academic knowledge, many students graduate with limited practical skills, guidance, or exposure needed to make informed career choices.

Gender-responsive career development support services, where available, have the potential to guide students toward meaningful employment and decent work, and help navigate labour market transitions. But many young people still graduate without access to tailored advice or clear pathways into emerging sectors. 

“I thought doing well in school would guarantee me a good job,” Thao said. “But once went to work, I realized I was not really suited for the communication field. I needed much more preparation than I expected.”

STEM students are well equipped with technical skills, but without proper career guidance and access to decent work opportunities, they may still face an uncertain future.

The way forward

To better support youth, Viet Nam could invest more in strengthening quality career guidance in education and training systems through trained counsellors and employer partnerships, expanding access to labour market information, and promoting work-based learning such as internships and apprenticeships. Enhancing public employment service centres is also critical, requiring upgraded infrastructure, better-trained staff, and stronger coordination across relevant stakeholders to deliver youth-friendly, accessible services.

At the same time, investment in creating decent work opportunities in the green and digital economy are key to meet young people’s expectations, and Viet Nam’s socio-economic aspirations. This calls for targeted enabling policies for businesses, public-private training partnerships, and support for youth entrepreneurship. More broadly, integrated labour market services are vital for expanding access to productive, decent, and green jobs. 

The recently amended Employment Law, adopted by the National Assembly of Viet Nam, marks a key milestone, introducing youth-focused provisions on job creation, skills development, labour market information, employment services, and unemployment insurance. Addressing youth employment challenges requires the effective implementation of inclusive, gender-responsive policies and practical tools to promote job creation and smooth school-to-work and other labour market transitions.

Despite setbacks, Thao has not given up. She is now taking online English and digital storytelling courses focused on climate actions. “I still believe I can find a way that is right for me,” she said, with more self-confident eyes. 

As Viet Nam celebrates International Youth Day this August and embraces a greener, digital future, it must strengthen inclusive, forward-looking career support systems, giving young people like Thao the essential tools and timely guidance, not just to adapt, but to thrive and lead just transitions.