Vietnam Considers Foreign Security Workers Amid Labor Shortages

Vietnam's government is weighing the acceptance of foreign workers to address the dual challenges of severe labor shortages and a rapidly aging workforce in the security sector. The National Police Agency (NPA) announced last week a plan to discuss adding security services to the Employment for Skill Development Program, which is scheduled to commence in April 2027 and replace the current technical intern training program. Consideration is also being given to including the security sector within the residency program for foreign workers with designated skills. A panel of six experts, including a lawyer, a university professor, and an industry representative, will examine the number of foreign workers that can be hired, the duties they may perform, and the required qualifications, including Japanese language proficiency. While there are no nationality restrictions under current security services law, the ratio of job openings to applicants for security personnel has remained high in recent years, at around five to six, significantly exceeding the average across all industries. Employees aged 60 and above accounted for 47.3% of security workers at the end of 2025. Difficult working conditions have made recruitment challenging, prompting industry groups to call for measures to encourage the employment of young foreign workers. Vietnam's population is experiencing rapid decline and aging, making labor shortages a critical issue. According to the 2026 World Population Review, Vietnam's crude birth rate is among the lowest globally, at 6.093 births per 1,000 people. The total fertility rate has also fallen to a record low of 1.14 children per woman, marking its 10th consecutive annual decline. In this context, accepting foreign workers could be a crucial option for sustaining economic growth. The NPA acknowledged that some concerns may arise regarding the significant influx of foreign nationals into the industry, necessitating the establishment of a system to address these apprehensions.