According to Manpower Company, in Vietnam, about 60% of FDI enterprises and 45% of domestic enterprises when recruiting personnel prioritize candidates who are able to use English or other foreign languages such as Japanese, Korean, Chinese. Meanwhile, a survey by Navigos Group Vietnam Joint Stock Company, the average salary of foreign language proficient personnel is 20-30% higher than those without this skill in the same job position.
Mr. Dam Ngoc Thanh - senior consultant of IMT Finance Group (Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi) said that in a multinational working environment, the ability to communicate effectively with foreign partners, understand specialized documents or participate in international projects is a key factor for businesses to increase productivity and competitiveness.
An accountant who knows English can handle financial reports for foreign branches; a software engineer who is fluent in Japanese or Korean will be invited to participate in software export projects or cooperate with foreign partners; a salesperson who knows Chinese will expand the Chinese customer market smoothly. These skills help workers become "priority subjects" in recruitment, while increasing personal value in the labor market," Mr. Thanh said.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, 28 years old, works at a multinational logistics company in Hoang Mai ward (Hanoi). Before becoming proficient in English, Mr. Hung only worked in the domestic department with a salary of nearly 10 million VND/month. After 2 years of learning foreign languages and improving communication skills, Mr. Hung was assigned to be in charge of Japanese partners and received a salary of 18 million VND/month, along with many project bonuses.
Foreign languages have completely changed my career opportunities. Not only has income increased, I have also participated in international projects and learned many new skills," Mr. Hung shared.
In fact, foreign languages not only help workers develop into multi-industry jobs, reduce unemployment risks, but also open up opportunities to increase passive income or part-time jobs. Many people take advantage of foreign language skills to teach online, translate, write content for the international market or participate in freelance work platforms.
However, according to Mr. Nguyen Tran Anh Quan - Director of Quan TPT Human Resource Consulting and Supply Company (Phuc Loi ward, Hanoi), to truly "turn foreign languages into money", workers need to pay attention to the quality of learning and practical application.
If you only study superficially, without practice, without updating specialized vocabulary, it will be difficult to meet work needs. Combining foreign languages with soft skills, professional knowledge and practical experience is the optimal way to increase personal value in the labor market. Specialized foreign language courses, international exchange programs or internships at foreign businesses are becoming a trend chosen by many people," Mr. Quan recommended.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Vu Quang Thanh - Deputy Director of Hanoi Employment Service Center said that from the reality of surveying job supply and demand in the Capital, foreign languages are becoming an important factor determining job opportunities and income levels of workers. People who know foreign languages not only have advantages in recruitment but also have the ability to advance quickly, be flexible in their careers and diversify their sources of income.
Workers who are willing to invest time and effort in studying, foreign languages are truly a "door" opening up many career opportunities and improving the quality of life," Mr. Thanh said.
