82% of Vietnamese businesses plan to increase salaries in 2025

The 2025 salary survey released by recruitment consultancy Robert Walters on November 26 showed that of the 84 businesses surveyed, 82% said they would adjust or increase salaries next year.

73% of workers are optimistic about career prospects - Photo: CONG TRIEU

Workers are optimistic about their careers.

There are 84 businesses in Vietnam, hundreds of Vietnamese candidates, many professions, positions and levels participating in this salary survey.

Accordingly, 73% of workers expressed optimism about career prospects, reflecting growing confidence in job opportunities.

Salary and benefits remain the top drivers of employee satisfaction. 46% of respondents rated a competitive compensation package as important.

77% of respondents emphasized the role of bonus schemes in determining their level of satisfaction with their jobs.

Financial factors and recognition play a key role in retaining and attracting talent.

The survey found that employees are increasingly placing importance on the intangible values ​​of corporate culture. Inspiring colleagues and a supportive work environment are important motivators for half of those surveyed.

In addition, personal and career development opportunities such as professional training programs, flexible working hours, and premium health insurance packages are increasingly seen as indispensable elements of an attractive compensation policy.

Notably, the survey also recorded a prominent trend in the preference of employees for foreign enterprises. Up to 99% of people expressed their desire to work for international companies. The main reasons include more attractive salaries, clear and systematic career development paths, and the opportunity to experience a professional working environment according to international standards.

Increase salaries to attract talent, recruit people when seeing potential - Photo: CONG TRIEU

Increase salaries to attract talent, hire people when you see potential

Faced with increasing competitive pressure and changing employee priorities, businesses in Vietnam are actively adjusting their strategies to effectively attract and retain talent.

According to Robert Walters’ 2025 Salary Survey, several important trends are shaping how organizations approach a volatile job market. A notable highlight is the plan to increase salaries at many businesses, with 82% of surveyed companies saying they will adjust salaries and increase salaries in 2025.

In addition to increasing salaries, employers also focus on improving talent attraction programs through competitive bonuses (76%) and investing in comprehensive training and development programs (67%).

These initiatives not only help attract potential candidates but also contribute to building a team of highly competent, long-term employees for the organization.

However, attracting talent is only one side of the problem, retaining talent is another difficult problem.

A Robert Walters survey found that 59% of employers admit that competition for talent and the difficulty of offering a competitive benefits package continue to be major challenges.

One promising approach is to hire based on potential rather than just on existing expertise. Focusing on nurturing and developing talent over the long term will help businesses build a workforce that grows and adapts with the organization.

At the same time, companies are also making efforts to adjust benefits and policies to meet employees' expectations, creating a harmonious working environment that is beneficial for both parties.

The survey report shows that Vietnam's economy will flourish in 2024, with impressive growth indicators in many areas. GDP growth reached 6.4% in the first 6 months of 2024, a significant improvement compared to 5% in 2023.

This strong growth is mainly due to the manufacturing sector, with an increase from 3.6% in 2023 to 8.8% in the first half of 2024, showing a significant recovery in the industrial sector.

Underpinning this growth momentum, the Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose 13.3% year-on-year to July, while the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) remained steady at 54.7 in both June and July, reflecting strong increases in new orders and overall manufacturing activity.

Despite positive economic signals, companies and workers are expected to remain cautious and risk-averse in 2025. This takes place in a complex global economic context that requires carefully considered decisions to take advantage of opportunities as well as face challenges.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/82-doanh-nghiep-viet-du-kien-tang-luong-trong-nam-2025-20241126171507227.htm