Labor migration, businesses lack people
Mr. Le Cong Ly - Head of the Management Board of Export Processing and Industrial Zones (EPZs&IPs) of Can Tho City - said that the total number of workers in industrial parks in the city is currently 96,506 workers; mainly concentrated in the group of seafood processing and production of products related to leather and garments. The recruitment demand in 2026 at industrial parks and clusters in the area is very large, estimated statistics are about 29,150 workers.
Many large enterprises are employing tens of thousands of workers such as TaeKwang (17,600 workers), Lac Ty II (12,700 workers), Minh Phu - Hau Giang (5,200 workers) or Jia Zhi (3,000 workers).
One of the reasons why businesses have to recruit continuously is the wave of labor migration from the Mekong Delta (Mekong Delta) to major industrial centers such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong - places with higher incomes and more development opportunities.
From an expert perspective, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Phong - Director of FPT University Branch in Can Tho City - said that the Mekong Delta region is currently the region with the highest net migration rate in the country, in which the main force leaving is young workers. "Many students after graduation choose to leave Can Tho because the income level in major cities is 30 - 60% higher, career opportunities are more diverse and the working environment is more professional" - Dr. Phong said.
Not only is there a shortage of unskilled labor, businesses also face a more difficult problem of a shortage of high-quality human resources, especially in the context of strong digital transformation and technological innovation. According to a survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mekong Delta branch, the demand for human resources in the fields of automation, semiconductor, and artificial intelligence is increasing rapidly, but local supply is still very limited.
Removing the bottleneck of high-quality human resources
Mr. Dao Chi Nghia - Deputy Head of the specialized delegation of the National Assembly Delegation of Can Tho City - said that the work of forecasting labor market demand is not close to reality, while the linkage between schools and businesses is still loose.
The Director of FPT University Branch in Can Tho City also pointed out that, although the rate of trained workers is relatively high, the quality does not meet the requirements of businesses. New graduates still lack practical skills, digital skills, foreign languages and practical experience.
Many opinions suggest that it is necessary to synchronously implement solutions, from improving training quality, strengthening the connection between schools and businesses to building appropriate attraction and remuneration policies. The development of worker housing, improving the working environment and attracting high-tech projects are also key factors to retain workers.
According to the Management Board of Export Processing Zones & Industrial Parks of Can Tho City, from now until the end of 2026, the board identifies 8 key tasks, focusing on implementing solutions to achieve double-digit growth targets; promoting administrative reform, digital transformation in management, investment promotion and business support. Regarding labor issues, the board also proposed that the City People's Committee direct departments, branches, localities and training institutions to strengthen coordination in training, connecting, and supporting businesses in recruiting labor to serve production and business.
Currently, the Management Board of Export Processing Zones & Industrial Parks of Can Tho City is managing 13 industrial parks and 2 concentrated industrial clusters, 1 Song Hau Power Center, 1 Song Hau Industrial Park Operation Center; attracting 348 projects with total domestic investment capital of more than 134,832 billion VND and FDI capital of more than 4.492 billion USD. In 2025, the value of industrial production reached about 94,770 billion VND, accounting for nearly 50% of the whole city; export value reached more than 2.283 billion USD, contributing to the budget of more than 4,742 billion VND.
If there are no breakthrough solutions to retain and attract human resources, the paradox of "excess labor but shortage of workers" will continue to prolong, directly affecting the competitiveness and investment attraction of Can Tho City in the coming time.
