Under Prime Ministerial Decision No. 1236/QD-TTg, dated October 22, 2024 on the National Strategy for the Application and Development of Blockchain Technology to 2025, with Orientations towards 2030, blockchain is recognized as one of the most transformative technologies driving Industry 4.0. Its application and advancement are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Vietnam’s advanced digital infrastructure, enhancing data security and trust, and establishing a strong foundation for its digital technology industry. In this context, building a highly-skilled blockchain workforce is key to enabling Vietnam to master core technologies and safeguard its digital sovereignty.

Tight talent pool

Speaking with Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy at a recent event, Associate Professor Dang Ngoc Duc, Director of the Institute of Financial Technology at Dai Nam University, noted that blockchain technology is gaining momentum in Vietnam and will continue to grow in the years to come. He pointed to three main factors behind this trend.

First, as Vietnam deepens its integration into the global economy, there is rising demand for transparency across economic, social, security, education, and healthcare activities. Blockchain, with its ability to integrate multiple technologies, offers an ideal solution to meet these demands.

Second, Vietnam is working towards establishing international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and central Da Nang city. Within these centers, digital asset, virtual asset, and tokenized asset exchanges will play a critical role. Asset tokenization and blockchain-based trading are closely linked, and blockchain will be a key driver in the development of this sector.

Third, the application of blockchain helps reduce transaction costs, cut administrative procedures, increase transparency, and enhance convenience. These benefits create value for both individuals and the economy at large.

With such vast potential, the demand for blockchain talent is growing rapidly, opening up promising career opportunities in the near future. Associate Professor Duc highlighted that while demand for professionals in fintech, especially blockchain and digital finance, is high, the talent pool remains seriously limited.

The appeal of the blockchain industry is also reflected in its salary levels. Mr. Du Cong Thanh, Director of US and Asia Market Development at SotaTek, said blockchain salaries are comparable to those in other emerging tech fields, such as AI. “AI and blockchain are two of the most prominent technologies of Industry 4.0,” he said. “For fresh graduates or those with about one year of experience, starting salaries in blockchain typically range from VND12-20 million ($460-$770) a month,” said Mr. Thanh. He also pointed out that blockchain is a demanding field, requiring constant learning due to its rapid evolution and the complexity of its technical branches. “The career prospects are strong, but so are the challenges in terms of skills and adaptability,” he added.

Keeping pace with demand

Despite the growing opportunities, the development of a blockchain workforce in Vietnam faces significant challenges, creating bottlenecks that are slowing overall progress. Associate Professor Duc acknowledged that Vietnam is still playing catch-up in blockchain education compared to developed countries like the US and across Europe. At the same time, local universities are encountering obstacles in delivering specialized blockchain training.

One of the biggest hurdles is the lack of highly-qualified instructors. “Due to a shortage of specialists, many universities are forced to collaborate with foreign institutions or experts,” he explained. “This comes with its own set of issues: limited teaching time (often just 3 to 4 weeks), language barriers when instruction is delivered in English, and higher tuition fees. There is also a lack of out-of-class interaction between lecturers and students, as well as limited access to hands-on learning environments like fintech labs.”

To address this gap, institutions such as Dai Nam University have launched “Train the Trainer” programs to develop a pool of local educators capable of delivering blockchain courses in Vietnamese. These initiatives not only strengthen teaching capacity but also help broaden the spread of fintech knowledge within the community.

Another challenge lies in integrating blockchain into official university curricula. Traditional undergraduate programs of three or four years are often too rigid to keep pace with the rapidly-evolving demands of emerging technologies. To meet more immediate needs, many institutions and professional organizations have begun offering short-term training in blockchain, AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and more, either as standalone modules or embedded into existing programs.

One example is the Institute of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (ABAII), which aims to train 1 million people in blockchain and AI by 2030. This includes 100,000 students from 30 universities nationwide through a variety of activities such as seminars, online courses, hackathons, and ideathons. These programs are designed to help ease the current talent shortage in the blockchain space.

Associate Professor Ta Minh Thanh, Vice President of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology at the Military Technical Academy, noted that while Vietnam’s IT workforce is generally strong, there is still a gap in highly specialized areas like blockchain. “We have an abundant IT talent pool, but when it comes to niche fields like blockchain, especially the core layers involving deep technical research and blockchain network development, the supply of skilled professionals is still limited,” he said.

He emphasized that to build a truly Vietnamese blockchain ecosystem, the country needs experts who understand the core technologies, not just those who can build applications on top of foreign platforms. “Universities and research institutes play a crucial role in nurturing core-level expertise, while businesses are primarily focused on applications,” he said. “Mastering the core layer is key to developing truly ‘Made in Vietnam’ blockchain products, allowing us to retain control over both technology and data.”

Looking ahead, he believes that as more universities and institutions ramp up their blockchain education initiatives, Vietnam’s talent pool in the field will grow substantially in the next five years, better aligning with the needs of the market.

To address gaps in blockchain education and seize emerging opportunities, experts have proposed a mix of practical solutions backed by long-term vision. Associate Professor Duc noted that while Vietnam has been slow to develop its blockchain workforce, there is still time to catch up through more effective and flexible training models. He offered three key recommendations.

First, he suggested reskilling programs and second-degree options that allow learners to pivot between finance and tech, creating talent fluent in both. He also urged the Ministry of Education and Training to allow more flexible reskilling pathways, removing rigid conditions tied to timelines and eligibility for additional degrees.

Second, on-site training at commercial banks could quickly upskill existing staff while maintaining operations.

And third, he emphasized adopting modern training approaches such as open online courses and blended models combining lectures, labs, and real-world business experience. These methods help learners gain both knowledge and hands-on skills.

Mr. Thanh from SotaTek, meanwhile, stressed that talent is the backbone of blockchain development in Vietnam. In the next 3-5 years, specialized training and talent scouting will be vital to building a strong workforce. He also highlighted the importance of connecting developers, businesses, and the broader blockchain community. “This collaboration is key not just to product innovation but to long-term growth,” he believes. “A strong community creates a launch pad for real-world blockchain solutions, within Vietnam and beyond.”

For his part, Associate Professor Thanh described blockchain as a strategic technology and called for Vietnam to master its core infrastructure, particularly a national blockchain network that ensures transparency in digital assets and transactions. This aligns with global trends and would bolster Vietnam’s digital credibility.

Despite the current talent shortages, he believes Vietnamese students are well-positioned to lead in this space. He noted their quick adoption of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT. The blockchain boom from 2019 to 2023 has also boosted awareness among young people of the technology’s potential. “This is the right moment for blockchain, along with AI and IoT, to drive Vietnam’s digital economy,” he said. “Today’s students, with early tech exposure and sharp thinking, are better equipped than previous generations to create practical blockchain applications.”

He also emphasized the role of government support, especially in funding research and core tech development. A close partnership between government, universities, and businesses will be essential to drive innovation. “Without this three-way collaboration and proper investment, universities won’t be able to train elite talent, develop equipment, or participate in global dialogue,” he explained. He called on the government to actively commission universities to focus on core blockchain R&D, not just leave application building to private firms. Foundational research funding, he added, is key to building a robust, self-reliant blockchain ecosystem in Vietnam.