Ho Chi Minh City received 17,633 unemployment benefit applications in October, down 6.82% from September. The city's employment service center linked the decline to workers tending to stay in their jobs at the end of the year while companies' demand for staff rises.
The Ho Chi Minh City Employment Service Center released statistics on labor supply and demand and employment during the first 10 months of 2026.
As of October 25, the center had received 191,295 applications for unemployment benefits. That was 6.47% more than during the same period in 2025, when 179,670 applications were filed. A total of 165,890 people received decisions granting unemployment benefits.
During the first 10 months of the year, the center advised 6,323 workers who wanted training and help improving their professional skills. It submitted documents to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Home Affairs for 6,067 decisions supporting such training.
In October, the center received 17,633 applications, compared with 18,923 in September.
The decline came as the labor market entered the final months of the year. Workers tend to weigh decisions to leave or change jobs more carefully during this period.
At the same time, the city's improving economy pushed demand for workers above supply. This put pressure on companies to improve benefits, wages and other employment conditions, making it easier for workers to find suitable new jobs.
Companies in the city registered more than 19,500 vacancies in October. Nearly 18,000 people were looking for work, leaving a gap of more than 1,500 positions between supply and demand.
The center said these factors together led to a gradual decline in the number of unemployment benefit applications in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nguyen Van Hanh Thuc, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Employment Service Center, said the center held 188 job fairs during the first 10 months to help unemployed workers find new jobs and meet companies' staffing needs.
Center staff provided consultations and job referrals more than 717,000 times. Nearly 39,000 people received job referrals, and almost 13,000 found jobs.
In November, the center plans to hold eight more job fairs across the city and five consultations on job-search skills. The events will also provide companies with updated information about labor laws and government support policies.
Sources: Dân Trí
