HCMC – The rate of workers returning to work after the 2026 Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday would be about 95%, according to the latest forecast by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The labor market experienced distinct seasonal fluctuations leading up to Tet, with hiring surges in sectors such as textiles, footwear, electronics, and wood processing to fulfill year-end orders. Retail, tourism, and hospitality also saw higher demand for service roles, while the tech sector maintained steady recruitment for AI and cybersecurity positions.
Despite a short-term labor shift – where some workers moved to temporary service roles or returned home early – government data confirms that businesses successfully maintained operations. Besides, reports from 19 localities indicated that hundreds of businesses, particularly in essential services like logistics, energy, and healthcare, continued working through the holiday to ensure project deadlines and public services.
The Ministry of Home Affairs attributed the stable labor supply to proactive measures, including better alignment of supply and demand and improved compensation policies. They cited that businesses strictly followed salary and bonus plans, with the average Tet bonus reaching VND8.69 million per person, a 13% increase compared to 2025.
In major industrial hubs such as Hanoi, Bac Ninh, HCMC and Dong Nai, the return rate is projected to hit 85% by February 25 and reach 95% by the end of the month. The ministry concluded that the traditional phenomenon of post-Tet labor shortages will be minimal this year, as strategic support and attractive incentives have successfully secured worker loyalty across key industrial and export processing zones.
