ILO, Korea and tripartite partners join hands to amplify youth voice for decent work and green jobs in Viet Nam

HA NOI (ILO News) - Young people in Viet Nam now face significant challenges in accessing decent work, despite being crucial for the country’s sustainable development. In Quarter 3 of 2025, youth (aged 15 to 30) employment reached 9.1 million, yet unemployment among those aged 15 to 24 stands at 9.0 per cent, four times higher than the national average. In addition, job quality is another concern, with 57.5 per cent of youth jobs being informal. 

At the same time, the green transition presents both opportunities and gaps. Only 3.0 per cent of young people (aged 15–30) are currently employed in green jobs, with a clear gender gap (4.5 per cent for men compared to just 1.3 per cent for women). However, nearly 30 per cent of youth employment has the potential to become green jobs, underscoring the importance of bold and timely investment in skills development, career guidance, and inclusive labour market policies.

Against this backdrop, the International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea through the ILO–Korea Partnership Programme, convened a youth dialogue on Decent Work and Green Jobs. Around 100 young participants had the opportunity to engage with representatives of government, employers' and workers' organizations including Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education and Training, Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour. 

© ILO/Vu Khoi Nguyen

© ILO/Vu Khoi Nguyen

The dialogue explores how young people can better prepare for smooth transition from school to work and navigate pathways to decent work and green jobs through improved access to career development systems and skills enhancement, supported by the Government and relevant stakeholders. Participants also received insightful updates on regional and national labour market trends, emerging job opportunities, and key challenges. 

The event also marks the launch of the ILO-KOREA Youth Network on Decent Work, Green Jobs, and Career Development Support. This initiative engages young people in advisory roles with ILO, research, and awareness-raising activities, showing efforts to amplify youth voice and enhance their access to decent work, and green futures. Right after the launch, the youth actively began shaping the network’s activity plan under the principle of "for youth, by youth".

In her opening remarks, Director of ILO Country Office for Viet Nam, Sinwon Park shared: “The initiative is more than a platform, it is a space for young people to learn, share experiences, co-create solutions, and lead meaningful initiatives that advance decent work and green jobs in Viet Nam”.

The initiative is more than a platform, it is a space for young people to learn, share experiences, co-create solutions, and lead meaningful initiatives that advance decent work and green jobs in Viet Nam.

Director of ILO Country Office for Viet Nam, Sinwon Park

© ILO/Vu Khoi Nguyen

Speaking at the event, Chief Technical Adviser of the ILO - Korea Partnership Programme, Shin Hochul emphasized: “By strengthening youth voice, and fostering knowledge sharing, the programme serves as a catalyst to empower young people with the skills and opportunities they need to contribute to the country’s sustainable development.” 

© ILO/Vu Khoi Nguyen

As a member of the Youth Network, Nguyen Dai Uy shared: “I am eager to join this meaningful initiative and contribute to designing and implementing projects that enhance awareness and knowledge among young people, especially rural youth.” 

© ILO/Vu Khoi Nguyen

Another youth member, Dinh Thi Tra My, expressed her enthusiasm: “I want to advocate for greater female participation in climate-response technology, so that more women can engage and thrive in green sectors in the near future.”

© ILO/Vu Khoi Nguyen

In the afternoon session, members of the newly launched Youth Network took part in a practical planning exercise, facilitated by the ILO. Divided into three working groups focusing on research, awareness raising, and capacity building, the young participants jointly developed a draft action plan for the year ahead. The discussions generated a range of creative and feasible ideas that can be brought to life immediately, with technical guidance and support from the project, reinforcing the Network’s commitment to translating youth voices into concrete action. 

© ILO/Vu Khoi Nguyen

Building on these youth-led discussions and practical planning efforts, sustained action is needed to unlock the full potential of Viet Nam’s young workforce. This includes expanding green job creation, closing skills gaps, improving access to labour market information, integrating green jobs into education and career guidance, promoting girls’ and women’s participation in STEM and technical fields, and institutionalizing meaningful youth engagement. 

The ILO remains committed, through the ILO-Korea Integrated Youth Employment Programme, to supporting youth-led initiatives by providing technical guidance, capacity-building support and platforms, enabling young people to play a central role in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future of work in Viet Nam.