In the context of an increasingly competitive labor market, many universities have promoted the organization of job fairs, creating opportunities for students to access businesses, learn about recruitment requirements and career orientation early.
According to data from the Statistics Office, the unemployment rate of Vietnamese youth in 2025 is at 8.64%, with urban areas alone reaching more than 11%. This shows that preparing skills and practical experience right from when they are still in school is becoming an urgent requirement for students.
At a job fair held at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), many students actively participated in recruitment booths to find internship opportunities and suitable jobs.
Nguyen Thi Anh Diu, a second-year student majoring in Hotel Management, said that she does not put the salary and bonus factor first when looking for a job, but prioritizes a comfortable working environment, with opportunities to learn and develop skills.
According to Diu, for students, the easiest way to accumulate experience is to work part-time, participate as collaborators for events or intern early: "I think a comfortable working environment, not too rigid, will help me develop better. As a student, I want to intern early to gain more experience, and it will be easier to find a job after graduation.
Not only looking for job opportunities to support their families financially, many students also consider job fairs as an opportunity to observe recruitment trends, thereby building appropriate career orientation.
Nguyen Duy Khanh, a first-year student, said that participating in the job fair helps him better understand the recruitment needs of businesses as well as the skills to prepare before entering the labor market.
I want to find a suitable job to be able to support my family financially. At the same time, I also want to learn about the current job market to orient my future. In addition to the knowledge in the lecture hall, students need to have more practical exposure to accumulate experience," Khanh said.
According to Khanh, besides expertise, students today need to proactively improve communication skills, foreign languages, informatics and adaptability to the actual working environment to increase competitive opportunities when graduating.
From the perspective of employers, many businesses say they are prioritizing candidates with quick adaptability and good practical skills, instead of just relying on qualifications.
According to Ms. Dao Ha, Recruiting Director of Gece Group, operating in the tourism - hotel sector, the unit is coordinating with partners and embassies to bring trainees abroad to experience international working environments.
“We prioritize recruiting students in tourism, hotel management, travel or culinary industries. In addition to expertise, you need to have flexible communication skills, professional demeanor and good discipline because the international environment requires seriousness in work,” Ms. Dao Ha said.
Many experts believe that the gap between training and the actual needs of the labor market is still a major challenge today. Many graduates lack practical skills or have no clear career orientation, leading to difficulties in finding suitable jobs.
In that context, job connection activities at universities are seen as solutions to help students access businesses earlier, understand recruitment requirements and proactively equip themselves with necessary skills before graduation.
