Among all sectors, Architecture and Construction recorded the strongest recruitment growth, rising by 28.7% year-over-year compared to the same period in 2025. It was followed by Human Resources / Recruitment (+17.5%) and Accounting / Auditing (+16.0%). These results reflect increasing labor demand in industries closely linked to infrastructure development, business operations, and financial services.

The report was developed based on actual recruitment posting data collected from more than 19,000 businesses on the HR Elite platform during the period from Q1/2024 to Q1/2026. The recruitment index was standardized using Q1/2024 = 100 as the base period to reflect relative changes in hiring demand over time. The information provided in the report is intended for reference purposes only and does not represent the entire labor market or the hiring situation of any specific company. When citing the report, the source should be clearly stated as: HR Elite – Q1/2026 Recruitment Market Report.

Four Key Highlights of the Q1/2026 Recruitment Market

Market Context

Q1/2026 took place amid Vietnam’s increasingly positive economic outlook despite ongoing global economic uncertainties.

According to the socio-economic report released by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the country’s GDP in Q1/2026 grew by 7.83% compared to the same period last year. Growth was primarily driven by the Construction sector (+8.36%) and Manufacturing & Processing sector (+9.73%).

During the same period, total import-export turnover increased by 23%, while foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 9.1%, indicating a recovery in production, investment, and trade activities. These developments created favorable conditions for recruitment demand across various industries.

Against this backdrop, the Q1/2026 Recruitment Market Report by HR Elite provides a micro-level perspective on recruitment trends in Vietnam through analysis of actual job posting data from businesses on the platform between Q1/2024 and Q1/2026.

Notable Recruitment Trends in Q1/2026

1. How Did Q1 Shape Recruitment Trends for 2026?

According to the Q1/2026 report by HR Elite, Vietnam’s recruitment market started 2026 on a positive note. The national recruitment index reached 122.3 points, up 22.3% compared to Q1/2024 and 5.4% compared to Q1/2025.

Among Vietnam’s two largest economic hubs, Hanoi recorded a recruitment index above the national average at 125.2 points, increasing 25.2% year-over-year from Q1/2024 and 6.1% from Q1/2025. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City demonstrated a faster growth pace, with its recruitment index reaching 119.1 points, up 19.1% from Q1/2024 and 7.6% from Q1/2025.

Overall, the data shows that Hanoi is leading in recruitment volume, while Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing a faster recovery rate, reflecting different recruitment growth dynamics between Vietnam’s two largest labor markets.

2. Which Industries Recorded the Highest Hiring Demand in Q1/2026?

Among the Top 10 industries with the highest hiring demand on the HR Elite platform in Q1/2026, Sales and Accounting / Auditing maintained the top two positions. These sectors continued to show strong recruitment demand due to their close connection with business operations and financial management activities.

Compared to Q1/2024, several industries experienced notable ranking changes in hiring demand:

• Architecture / Construction: up 6 positions from #9 to #3

• Logistics / Import-Export / Warehousing: up 3 positions

• Manufacturing and Human Resources / Recruitment: each up 1 position

Meanwhile, industries such as IT / Telecommunications, Marketing / Advertising / Communications, and Science & Engineering each dropped two positions.

Differences Between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

In Hanoi, Architecture / Construction rose 4 positions to rank #3, while Human Resources / Recruitment climbed 3 positions to #7, reflecting increasing labor demand related to infrastructure development and workforce management.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Marketing / Advertising / Communications remained among the Top 3 most actively hiring industries, while Logistics / Import-Export / Warehousing rose 1 position to #6, reflecting the city’s leading demand for talent in commerce, media, and supply chain sectors.

3. Architecture & Construction Led Recruitment Growth in Q1/2026

According to data from HR Elite, Architecture & Construction was the fastest-growing hiring sector in Q1/2026, increasing by 28.7% compared to the same period in 2025. This growth significantly outpaced other industries such as Human Resources / Recruitment (+17.5%) and Accounting / Auditing (+16.0%).

Conversely, Administrative / Clerical (-11.2%) and Sales (-11.1%) recorded the sharpest declines among the top 11 industries.

Industry Changes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

In Hanoi, several sectors recorded strong growth, reflecting expanding recruitment demand across multiple industries:

• Architecture / Construction (+24.6%)

• Accounting / Auditing (+22.7%)

• Manufacturing (+22.3%)

• Human Resources / Recruitment (+19.8%)

In Ho Chi Minh City, the most notable increases included:

• Architecture / Construction: continued to lead recruitment demand with an impressive growth rate of +41.0%

• Manufacturing (+26.7%)

• Logistics / Import-Export / Warehousing (+22.1%)

On the other hand, Administrative / Clerical and Sales showed declining trends in both cities.

Overall Outlook

Data from the Q1/2026 Recruitment Market Report by HR Elite indicates that hiring demand in Vietnam is improving alongside the recovery of key economic indicators such as GDP, import-export turnover, industrial production, and FDI inflows.

Beyond the general growth trend, recruitment data also reflects structural shifts in workforce demand across industries and regions. Sectors such as Architecture / Construction, Manufacturing, Logistics / Import-Export / Warehousing, Human Resources / Recruitment, and Accounting / Auditing recorded significant recruitment growth, while industries such as Administrative / Clerical and Sales showed signs of slowing down during the early months of the year.