Hanoi (VNA) – After a year marked by multiple challenges, Vietnam’s labour relations landscape has entered 2026 on a more stable and positive footing, creating favourable conditions for sustainable production and business activities.
According to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), the country’s socio-economic situation in 2025 recorded encouraging results. Macroeconomic stability was maintained, inflation kept under control and major economic balances ensured, while the labour structure continued to shift in a positive direction. However, challenges remained, including shortages of high-quality human resources and the impact of natural disasters and climate change. The labour market showed notable improvements.
The country had 52.4 million employed people in 2025, an increase of 578,300 year-on-year, while the underemployment rate among working-age people fell to 1.65%. Average monthly income reached 8.4 million VND, up 8.9%. Average wages climbed to 9.76 million VND (over 372 USD) per month, up 11% compared to 2024, and average Lunar New Year (Tet) bonuses rose 13% to 8.69 million VND per worker.
Labour relations also improved significantly. In 2025, 55 collective work stoppages were recorded, down 21 cases from the previous year. In the periods before and after the Lunar New Year holiday in early 2026, eight work stoppages occurred nationwide, one fewer than the same period last year. Most cases related to wages, allowances, overtime and management practices.
Thanks to the timely intervention of trade unions at all levels in coordination with relevant authorities, the majority of cases were resolved through dialogue and negotiation, with workers returning to work in an orderly manner.
As of February 23 or the seventh day of the first lunar month, more than 94.5% of workers had returned to work, with many localities reporting rates above 95% and even 98%. The result reflects effective solutions to stabilise labour relations and demonstrates workers’ trust in enterprises and trade unions.
During the Tet 2026 holiday, trade unions nationwide implemented a wide range of care programmes under the theme “Tet Sum vay – Xuan on Dang” (Tet Reunion – Spring in Gratitude to the Party), ensuring that all union members and workers enjoyed the festive season.
By mid-February, more than 12 million union members, workers and their families had benefited from Tet support activities, with total funding exceeding 8.2 trillion VND, with 15.4% coming from social sources. Discount fairs, online shopping vouchers, and free transport programmes such as “Trade Union Flights”, “Trade Union Trains” and “Trade Union Buses” helped tens of thousands of workers return home for the holiday.
With rights safeguarded, dialogue strengthened and workers’ voices heard, a stable and harmonious working environment has been reinforced, providing a solid foundation for sustainable development in 2026 and beyond./.
