The gaming industry in Vietnam has seen rapid growth in recent years. In 2024, the sector is booming, with both revenue and the number of players increasing significantly. However, a severe shortage of skilled workers is becoming a major issue. With government new initiatives, the gaming job market is likely to undergo major changes in 2024
Vietnamese Government Promotes Game Industry Development
On August 29, 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Directive No. 30/CT-TTg, which emphasized the robust development of cultural industries globally, including gaming, and their importance in attracting resources, creating competitive advantages, and contributing to socio-economic development.
In 2023, Vietnam’s gaming industry generated $507 million in revenue, with 54.6 million players. The growth of the mobile gaming sector will drive the game industry further by the a rate of 15% per year. By the end of 2024, this figure is expected to reach $655 million, With these impressive figures, the electronic gaming industry has the potential to become a key driver of Vietnam’s economy while also promoting Vietnamese culture to an international audience.
The directive places special emphasis on developing games that showcase Vietnamese cultural identity and align with global trends. With the support of the Ministry of Information and Communications, as well as other relevant ministries, Vietnam aims to promote games that reflect national culture on digital platforms. Recent examples of successful indie games include “Chạy Trốn Phồn Hoa – DreamChaser,” “Cỏ Máu,” and “Thần Trùng,” which have achieved great success on global platforms like the Apple Store and Steam.
Impact on the Labor Market
With government support policies and increasing demand for manpower, positions in the gaming industry are becoming “hotter than ever.” Within the next 2-3 years, Vietnam will need around 30,000 workers for the industry, including positions such as programmers, game designers, and marketing specialists. However, the current workforce is struggling to meet this demand. According to the Vietnam Game Development Association, only about 30% of graduates possess the skills and qualifications required by hiring companies.
In 2023, educational institutions and training centers met only about 40% of the workforce demand in the gaming sector. The shortage is particularly severe in graphic design. The talent shortage is especially critical in game design and development roles. To attract high-quality talent, companies in the gaming industry are willing to offer competitive salaries. We conduct large-scale recruitment drives annually for programming, graphic design, and marketing positions for our in-house studio – Gabros. As of the first half of 2024, we have recruited over 30 personnel in software development, creative experts, and business development.
Companies Invest Heavily in Workforce Training
According to the government directive, it’s urgent of companies to enhance specialized training programs to meet the growing demand. Training helps businesses improve employee retention, optimize recruitment costs, and contribute to long-term brand development.
For example, our team recently sent five key employees to China – the global hub of electronic games, for training in high-demand roles such as Account Manager and Business Development Manager. These roles are highly specialized and often require significant time and resources to fill.
Conclusion
While the gaming industry in Vietnam is experiencing remarkable growth, it faces a critical labor shortage. However, with continued government support and strategic investments in training, the industry is poised to overcome these challenges and maintain its upward trajectory.
