There are currently 190 vocational colleges and 245 vocational schools across Vietnam, offering programs in tourism, beauty services, IT, construction, fashion, the garment industry, pharmacy, precision mechanics, and restaurant services, the jobs most in demand in the labor market.

Many vocational students are guaranteed jobs after graduation, signaling changes in Vietnam’s labor markets, which have been desperate for high-skilled workers in the past few years. Because the unemployment rate among university and college graduates is high, targeted vocational training has become a more popular path to job opportunities. Skilled workers also have more opportunities for high-paying jobs abroad.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hang, Rector of the HCM City Vocational College of Technology No. 2, said that her school now has 5000 students attending courses for high-demand jobs in electrical engineering, automotive mechanics, welding, metal cutting, and waste water treatment. According to Ms. Hang, her students have won many prizes in national vocational competitions and her school has cooperated with many businesses to organize vocational courses for their workers.

"We’ve cooperated with many high schools to provide their students with career orientation to help them choose a suitable vocation. We are helping students understand that getting a stable job with good salary is much better than pursuing a degree of questionable value.", said Ms. Hang.

Luong Thi Thu, a 3^rd year student in electrical engineering, told VOV: "Although I passed my university entrance exams, I chose a vocational training college because I think it’s more important to learn vocational skills in order to find a good job. I decided to study electrical engineering and have had a lot of opportunities to practice."