Vietnamese Workers: Most Optimistic in Southeast Asia, Least Engaged

A recent State of the Global Workplace 2026 report by the American Institute of Gallup presents a complex picture of the Vietnamese workforce. While our people demonstrate remarkable optimism about their lives, ranking among the highest in Southeast Asia for positive outlook, a stark contrast emerges when looking at workplace engagement. The report indicates that only 9% of Vietnamese employees feel genuinely connected to their jobs, a figure that stands as the lowest in the entire region and significantly below the regional average of 25%.

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The report was conducted in over 140 countries and shows that 59% of Vietnamese workers assess their current and future lives positively, enough to be classified in the 'developing well' group.

This lack of engagement comes at a considerable economic cost. Gallup estimates that Vietnam loses approximately 12.6% of its GDP annually, translating to about 1.6 million billion Vietnamese dong, due to decreased labor productivity. This substantial loss stems from various factors, including inefficient work processes, unsuccessful restructuring efforts, and the high costs associated with frequent employee turnover.

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However, only 9% of personnel in Vietnam reported being truly attached to their workplace, meaning they have a psychological commitment to their organization.

The core issue, according to the report, lies in the quality of corporate governance. Employees can only commit and contribute when they see a future within their organization, understand job expectations, have opportunities to utilize their skills, receive fair recognition, and are supported in their development. The report emphasizes the critical role of direct managers in meeting these fundamental employee needs. In Vietnam, a new generation of managers, often facing pressure from layoffs and a trend towards younger hires, are expected to mature quickly without adequate support systems, while grappling with their own job insecurities.

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This situation of disengaged personnel causes Vietnam to lose about 12.6% of its GDP annually due to declining labor productivity, equivalent to about 1.6 million billion Vietnamese dong.

Despite these challenges, Vietnam possesses a significant advantage: the high overall life satisfaction of its people, who appear less affected by negative emotions outside of work compared to their regional peers. Gallup suggests this positive mental foundation provides fertile ground for businesses to foster employee engagement. This can be achieved through careful selection and training of managers, developing their team-building skills, and systematically measuring employee experiences. From our perspective at Tuổi Trẻ, this data underscores the urgent need for businesses to invest in better management practices and create more supportive work environments to harness the inherent optimism of Vietnamese workers and translate it into sustained productivity and organizational loyalty.

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The report suggests the core reason lies in the quality of corporate governance.