The synergistic impact of digital transformation, economic restructuring, population aging and global competitive pressure force both businesses and workers to change faster and deeper.
Digital skills will become the foundation
From the perspective of the organizing unit, connecting labor supply and demand in the Capital, Mr. Vu Quang Thanh - Deputy Director of Hanoi Employment Service Center - said that in 2026, there may be no clear boundaries between "technology industry" and "traditional industry". Digital skills will become a foundational condition, present in most job positions, from production, services to management.
Employees do not necessarily have to become technology experts, but must know how to use technology in work: Working on digital platforms, processing basic data, operating smart machines, interacting with digital management systems. Positions that do not meet this requirement will gradually be narrowed or replaced. In addition, technology thinking - understanding how technology changes processes, improves efficiency - is considered equally important as tool use skills. This is a factor that helps employees adapt when businesses continuously update new systems, software and management models" - Mr. Vu Quang Thanh affirmed.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Bui Duc Anh - Human Resources Director of Tandicom Group (Kim Ma ward, Hanoi) - said that another clear change in the labor market in 2026 is the demand for multi-skilled labor, businesses prioritize recruiting people who can undertake many tasks, inter-sectoral coordination and flexibly adapt to changes.
Mr. Duc Anh added that the "one person, one fixed job" model will gradually make way for a flexible, multi-tasking but in-depth labor model in some core skills. This helps businesses streamline the apparatus, reduce costs and increase resilience to fluctuations. "For workers, this is both an opportunity and a challenge. Those who actively learn and expand their skills will have more job choices. Conversely, those who can only do a single job will face a higher risk of losing their jobs when businesses restructure. In the previous period, hard skills were prioritized, in 2026, soft skills and adaptive thinking are assessed as decisive factors for long-term survival" - Mr. Duc Anh said.
Businesses need to change the way they use and develop human resources
From a business perspective, Mr. Le Quang Trung - former Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Employment - said that to adapt to the 2026 labor market, it is not possible to just wait for available human resources from the market but must proactively invest in training and developing skills for workers.
Accordingly, building internal training programs, retraining and improving skills not only helps businesses have a suitable workforce but also increases the level of employee engagement. When they are given learning and development opportunities, employees are willing to accompany them for longer. In addition, businesses need to adjust the working environment in a flexible and transparent direction, focusing on balancing efficiency and employee health.
On the workers' side, the 2026 market requires proactive thinking because waiting until they lose their jobs to re-learn will put personnel in a passive position, making it difficult to compete. Mr. Trung recommended that workers should re-evaluate existing skills and market demand; focus on learning in-depth skills with long-term value; combine professional skills with digital skills and soft skills; be ready to change positions or fields when necessary. In particular, young workers need to avoid the mentality of chasing short-term trends but should choose a direction of sustainable skills development, associated with personal capacity and long-term needs of the market.
Ms. Ta Thi Kim Thanh - Head of Human Resources Department of a medical equipment group in Hoang Mai ward (Hanoi) - assessed that the labor market in 2026 is strongly screened but also opens up new opportunities for workers with suitable skills and flexible thinking.
The transformation is not only taking place in each individual but also in businesses and the policy system. When training, use and labor remuneration are given the right focus, the labor market will operate more effectively, contributing to improving productivity and quality of growth. In that context, skills, adaptability and a lifelong learning spirit are the most important "tickets" for workers and businesses to enter 2026 proactively and sustainably" - Ms. Thanh emphasized.
