Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam – Despite the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, enrollment in education and social sciences programs across Vietnamese universities remains remarkably stable, according to experts and recent data. Even as technology-focused fields are experiencing significant growth, institutions offering training for educators and social workers are maintaining moderate enrollment targets aligned with long-term labor market needs.
The University of Education in Hồ Chí Minh City continues to be a key provider of teachers in mathematics, literature, English, history and geography. Alongside it, the University of Education in Hanoi, Can Tho University, and Vinh University remain vital institutions for training teachers for the national education system. These universities are also expanding their focus to prepare graduates for roles in educational research, administration, student affairs, and school counseling.
Discipline-specific stability extends to fields like psychology, social work, sociology, linguistics, history, cultural studies, information science, and education management. In 2025, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hồ Chí Minh City) anticipates enrolling 3,899 students across 37 undergraduate programs, demonstrating sustained societal demand for professionals in these areas.
This stability isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Universities are actively adapting curricula to address the growing influence of AI. Many institutions are integrating modules focused on digital transformation, technological skills, data analysis, and AI applications, aligning with the digital competency framework outlined in Circular 02/2025/TT-BGDĐT from the Ministry of Education and Training.
“The question isn’t whether AI will replace us, but how it can serve us and contribute to creating more value in our work,” stated Trần Nam, head of student affairs at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Nam acknowledged that, in the short term, salaries in education and social sciences may not match the rapid gains seen in some tech sectors. However, he emphasized the long-term stability and consistent demand for professionals in these fields, tied to the ongoing development of education, social services, and personal support systems.
Nam, a master’s student, pointed to a consistent need for replacements as experienced professionals retire, as well as the creation of new positions in newly established educational institutions, public administration, cultural organizations, and social welfare agencies. Data from the university’s employment tracking system indicates a continued stable demand for graduates in these fields in the coming years.
“The education sector continues to develop steadily and sustainably, linked to demographic growth and societal learning needs,” Nam added. “the fields of psychology and social work are experiencing positive growth, with increasing demand for counseling and support services, creating many employment opportunities.”
However, the demand for qualified professionals in education and social sciences is evolving. Employers are seeking candidates with not only strong professional skills but also technical proficiency, cultural awareness, and a deep understanding of human psychology. Multitasking abilities – encompassing document preparation, organization, problem-solving, messaging, and internal communication – are also highly valued.
Dr. Giang Thiện Vũ, a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Education in Hồ Chí Minh City, echoed this sentiment, noting that fields related to human resources continue to attract high-quality personnel due to their unique professional nature. While AI can process data, optimize processes, and simulate communication, it lacks the lived experience of social context, family dynamics, and the complex emotional challenges inherent in the human condition.
“fields related to humans – mental health, education, and organization – not only do not decrease but develop,” Dr. Vũ stated. “Psychology attracts high-quality human resources because it combines science, ethics, humanism, and the ability to create a lasting social impact. Income may not increase dramatically at the beginning, but later, as professional skills, reputation, and experience deepen, the professional value of a psychologist increases.”
Dr. Lê Duy Tân, a lecturer at the Faculty of Information Technology at the International University (Vietnam National University, Hồ Chí Minh City), observed that the current application of AI in university education primarily focuses on “controlled support,” rather than replacing the role of teachers. AI is being utilized as a technical tool to streamline repetitive tasks, assisting with course preparation, learning outcome analysis, and the creation of assessments at various cognitive levels.