“Hanoi’s Job Market: A Youthful Career Counseling Gateway”

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s career counseling festivals have played a pivotal role in offering admissions consulting and career guidance to high school seniors and students, with a proven track record of success over the years.

Mau Danh Quyen, a student from the Automotive Technology Faculty of the Hanoi College of Electromechanics, shared his experience in an interview with The Hanoi Times, saying, “The festivals effectively bridge the gap between vocational education in Hanoi and the labor market. They inspire younger generations to pursue their career passions and help them align their choices with the realities of the job market.”

Quyen was one of the participants at the career counseling event organized by Hanoi’s departments of Education and Training, Home Affairs, and the Hanoi Youth Union on May 11. Through a range of practical activities, the festival connected vocational education in Hanoi with the labor market, offering a unique opportunity for exploration and guidance.

A large number of students attended the event. Photos: Minh Anh/VGP

The festival brought together 50 enterprises, providing nearly 3,000 job opportunities. Of these, 2,755 positions were in the domestic market, while over 200 were for export-oriented roles. Additionally, more than 50 vocational training institutions actively participated, offering enrollment counseling and showcasing their vocational skills across 70 booths.

The event witnessed a turnout of approximately 10,000 individuals, including 8,000 students from high schools and vocational training centers across 24 districts. It also attracted around 2,000 students from vocational training institutions and workers, creating a diverse and engaged audience.

One such student, Tuong Thi Bich Ha, a 12th-grader at Nguyen Tat Thanh High School in Cau Giay District, shared her experience. After receiving makeup services from a teacher at Bac Thang Long College of Economics and Technology and consulting with experts, she gained a new perspective on the beauty care profession. She remarked, “I’ve always loved makeup, and this experience has made me consider pursuing it as a career path. I plan to explore this option further before making my decision.”

Tuong Thi Bich Ha, a student in her final year of high school in Hanoi, shares her career exploration journey.

Nguyen Thi Hong, Principal of Ba Trai Secondary School in Hanoi’s Ba Vi district, accompanied a group of 30 ninth-graders to the festival. She reflected on the value of the event, saying, “This is the second year I’ve brought my students here, and I’m glad they had the opportunity to explore different career paths. It’s a wonderful experience that helps them navigate their future choices.”

Tran The Cuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, emphasized the significance of the event in executing the Ministry of Home Affairs’ plan. He stated, “This festival is a key component in our efforts to promote synchronized mechanisms and policies for developing vocational education and skilled human resources. It encompasses a range of activities, from counseling to employment opportunities and career guidance, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved in shaping the future of our students.”

The festival also served as a platform for companies seeking employees, further strengthening the connection between vocational training institutes and the labor market. The organizers aimed to generate a positive impact and raise awareness through the diverse activities offered at the fair.

Tran The Cuong (center, in a suit), Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, engages with enterprise representatives at the festival.

Pham Xuan Khanh, Principal of the Hanoi High Technology College, shared his expectations with the Vietnam Government Portal. He believes the festival will help students stay updated with market trends and labor demands, encouraging their participation in Hanoi’s creative startup movement.

Nguyen Van Huy, Vice Principal of the Hanoi Industrial Vocational College, highlighted the importance of collaboration between training institutions and companies through training agreements. He explained that skill demonstrations in fields like tourism, hospitality, cosmetology, and automotive technology empower students to make informed career choices and understand future employment prospects.

Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, observes the signing of cooperation agreements between educational institutions and enterprises.

From 2019 to 2025, five editions of the festival were held, attracting approximately 35,000 participants. During this period, vocational education institutions forged partnerships with nearly 1,000 companies, providing internships and practical training for almost 40,000 students. Over 72,000 students were hired immediately after graduation, and orders for training, retraining, and skill development were placed for more than 63,000 individuals.

The support extended beyond just the institutions, with around 300 enterprises contributing equipment, materials, and funding during the training process. Furthermore, 110 businesses actively participated in curriculum development and enhancement for college, intermediate, and basic training levels, ensuring that the skills taught remained relevant and industry-aligned.

According to the Hanoi Department of Home Affairs, the city successfully facilitated employment for 88,000 individuals in the first four months of 2025. They are on track to meet their goal of helping 169,000 workers find suitable employment by the end of the year.

To achieve this ambitious target, the city has implemented several initiatives, including administrative reforms, support for vocational schools, business facilitation, and the development of traditional handicraft industries. Local agencies have also improved labor market forecasting, market information gathering, and matching labor supply with demand.

Looking ahead, Hanoi aims to build on its successes and achieve even more positive outcomes in its vocational training and employment plans for the 2026-2030 period and beyond.

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