Controversy over 'new employees should receive low wages to learn the job'

"My friends say that having a job is lucky, but thinking about my parents' investment makes me sad," said Trong, 23, from Phu Tho. He thinks this salary is too cheap compared to the more than 200 million VND in tuition, not to mention other investments for 5 years of study.

Thu Huyen, a Social Work graduate, has just officially started working at a nursing home in Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi with a salary of 6 million VND. "Last month during my probationary period, I received 70% of my salary," the 22-year-old girl shared. "I don't know how to live in the city when my graduate salary is lower than the monthly living allowance my parents give me."

In Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Linh works as an assistant for a mid-level KOC with a starting salary of 7 million VND. Her tasks range from planning content, editing videos, writing scripts, arranging schedules, and accompanying KOCs to events. Her work schedule lasts from morning to night, with many times staying up all night to meet deadlines.

"My rent is already 4 million VND, so with this salary I have to ask my family for more," she said.

The starting salary of new graduates or "freshers" (new entrants to the labor market) is always a controversial topic.

The social media platform Threads has hundreds of shares from recent graduates about "not enough salary to live on" or frustration at being labeled "new, inexperienced" while still having to take on high-intensity work but not commensurate salary.

On the other hand, many employers say they are "shocked by unrealistic expectations" about Gen Z salaries.

Recently, an article recruiting an assistant for a KOL has sparked controversy across social networks. The community is divided into two opinions, one side thinks that the salary of 8 million VND that a KOL pays is too low compared to the tasks a personal assistant has to do. Many people assert that the salary is "not equal to the salary of a maid or a Grab driver", even calling this job "an errand boy".

One side feels normal with this starting salary, because behind it are many opportunities to work with celebrities, expand relationships and bonuses.

Vietnam recruitment market report TOPCV 2023 shows that the common salary for interns is 3 - 5 million VND per month, employees with less than one year of experience from 6 - 15 million VND, depending on the industry. Of which, the education industry has the lowest (6 - 8 million VND), IT has the highest (8 - 15 million VND).

Notably, the salary of new IT graduates is on a downward trend. If it was 15 million last year, it is now only 11 million VND. Meanwhile, experienced positions have increased, such as team leaders can receive 35 million VND, managers up to 52 million VND.

Statistics from the Hanoi Employment Service Center in January 2025 showed that 67% of job vacancies have a common salary of 5 - 10 million VND, more than 20% pay 10 - 20 million VND per month.

In addition to the industry factor, the labor market context also greatly affects the starting salary. Mr. Bui Doan Chung, director of Vietnam Human Resources, said that young workers have low salaries because the market is increasingly competitive, and employers have more options.

According to experts, in the past, young workers often lacked practical skills and needed a long time to train, so it was understandable that they received low salaries. But now, many Gen Zers have accumulated experience early through internships, freelance work, or learning additional skills outside of school, making the view that "new workers have to accept low salaries" no longer appropriate.

However, freshers still face difficulties if they cannot prove their working ability. "This requires new students to have a career orientation before graduating, register as an intern to get acquainted with the labor market, as well as learn more skills," said Mr. Chung.

Ms. Chu Thanh Nga, general director of a pharmaceutical company with nearly 200 employees in Hanoi, admitted that Gen Z workers have a very practical mindset, know their worth, and are not afraid to question employers about benefits.

As an employer, she does not support taking advantage of new employees by paying them low wages. But employees need to understand the reality that they are not always suitable for the employer's requirements. Both parties need time to get to know each other and the salary during that period is naturally lower.

"A career is a long journey and to have a good job, everyone has to go through a period of learning and training. No one can be good from the beginning and no company will pay a high salary just because you have a good degree, but needs time to evaluate after the probationary period," said Ms. Nga.

The important thing is not to accept a low salary and be picky about a high salary, but whether that job will help you advance further or not. "When you have real value, a worthy salary will come naturally," she said.

Supporting this view, Hung Vu, 35 years old, in Hanoi, cited his own example. When he first returned from studying abroad, he accepted a job with a salary of 5 million VND. After that, he applied to a larger company, project management with a salary of 11 million VND, working his best from 7-8 am to 12 am.

Hung Vu said he just wanted to work with good people. "During the interview, I said, 'I don't care about salary. I'm here to learn from you and I won't work with anyone else,'" he said.

Through that tactic, Hung learned human resource management and strategic thinking. During the year of working together, he gradually absorbed the working style and even the lifestyle of his colleagues and superiors.

"I accepted a low salary for a year and considered it as tuition. No course with that amount of money gives me the opportunity to study 24/7 with good people and do real work, to 'stand on the shoulders of giants' and spend their money to pursue my passion," he shared.

Khanh Linh said that although she is a fresher, she has accumulated experience since her student days and learned many skills on her own. Including tuition and other courses from her school days, she spent more than 200 million VND in four years of study.

"But I'm still labeled a newcomer," she said. "With this salary, I don't know when I'll be able to break even."