Mr. Nguyen Manh Khuong - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Chairman of the National Wage Council - said that all members of the National Wage Council present at the meeting voted to propose a regional minimum wage increase of 7.2%, effective from January 1, 2026.
Minimum salary In Region I, the salary increased from VND 4.96 million/month to VND 5.31 million/month (increased by VND 350,000); In Region II, the salary increased from VND 4.41 million/month to VND 4.73 million/month (increased by VND 320,000); In Region III, the salary increased from VND 3.86 million/month to VND 4.14 million/month (increased by VND 280,000); In Region IV, the salary increased from VND 3.45 million/month to VND 3.7 million/month (increased by VND 250,000).
Speaking to reporters right after the National Wage Council finalized the proposed increase in the regional minimum wage in 2026, Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu - Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL), Vice President of the National Wage Council - said that the proposed increase in the regional minimum wage of 7.2% from January 1, 2026 had met the expectations of the working group of the VGCL.
This increase meets the expectations of union members and workers nationwide, and also demonstrates the spirit of sharing the difficulties of businesses.
This proposed increase partly improves the lives of workers, because in reality, businesses themselves have an overall salary higher than the minimum wage. This is the reference salary level primarily for employees in the minimum wage group and other groups can also be reference to build the salary level.
I believe that this salary will also motivate workers to work with an excitement, together to make efforts so that by the end of this year we can achieve the growth target of 8% and from next year onwards, we can achieve the double-digit growth target" - Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu said.
Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu affirmed that after the Government officially decided on the regional minimum wage increase in 2026, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor will organize implementation and propagate to workers to agree and support to continue working with high productivity, good quality, and develop businesses so that the whole country can enter a new era.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hoang Quang Phong - Vice President of the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vice Chairman of the National Wage Council - said that the National Wage Council operates under a high consensus mechanism and the council has decided that the employer will agree to recommend to the competent authority to adjust the regional minimum wage from January 1, 2026.
According to Mr. Phong, employers will have to reorganize their work and have high determination in improving management capacity, assigning appropriate work, applying science and technology, and improving other management conditions. The goal is to ensure the maintenance of business development indicators, protect the number of jobs and especially retain skilled workers.
He emphasized that businesses will have to be very determined and need to raise the level of "art" of retaining employees, assigning work, negotiating, and protecting work contracts.
"This is to ensure the continued development of businesses, meet the requirements of economic development and improve payment capacity. The Council will work with businesses to operate training programs in this direction so that businesses can meet their own requirements and the development requirements of the economy" - Mr. Phong shared.
