Associate Prof Huynh Quyet Thang, Director of Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), said the development of technology and AI in recent years has significantly changed many professions. However, fields that require high craftsmanship and rely less on AI and automation still maintain their stability.

“HUST’s view remains consistent with core science and technology disciplines, which are indispensable for the country. The school’s nearly 55 majors cover all of the nation’s important technology sectors,” Thang said.

Instead of rushing to create new majors, the school focuses on adjusting program content to align with technological development trends and new technical requirements.

The school focuses on training engineers with interdisciplinary knowledge, such as integrating robotics with AI or fashion and textile technology with AI.

“This is the best way to respond to technological changes while enabling learners to quickly apply knowledge and contribute to national development,” Thang said.

He believes that concerns about certain professions disappearing in the near future are largely speculative and unfounded. Business fields do not disappear but rather change in nature and work philosophy.

A clear example is computer science. Previously, students focused mainly on programming, but now the important skill is the ability to test and verify code generated by AI. This shows that traditional fields still exist, but the competency requirements have changed.

“Therefore, we must accept challenges, be ready to acquire new knowledge and skills, and use technology to keep pace with technological development,” Thang said.

Associate Prof Tran Quang Tien, Director of Vietnam Women’s Academy, said that instead of looking for majors “immune to unemployment,” learners should understand the pillar trends shaping the global labor market. These pillars are more sustainable than the names of specific majors and are the key to helping learners remain resilient amid change.

According to Tien, the first pillar is digital technology and AI. Jobs involving the ability to operate, manage, or create with technology, from data analysis and programming to operations optimization and digital content production, will continue to have high demand.

“Even though automation is advancing quickly, technology still creates more new jobs than it eliminates; but workers must constantly update their skills,” he said.

The second pillar concerns fields that train social and humanistic skills. These are areas where humans outperform machines, including complex thinking, caregiving and support, counseling, community engagement, social policy design, risk management, leadership, and working in multicultural environments.

Tien believes that amid technological expansion, soft skills and human understanding will become the safest zones.

The third pillar is adaptive economic, legal, and management capabilities. As cross-border trade, digital economies, and new business models flourish, those who understand economic structures, business management, and laws related to digital transactions and data protection become increasingly essential. 

The ability to combine economic, legal, and technological knowledge creates a competitive advantage.

From that perspective, Tien emphasized that “non-obsolete” fields are those continually renewed, agile in applying technology, and grounded in human value.

“In addition, whether a field becomes outdated depends on training methods and students’ continuous learning rather than the name of the major. If programs integrate technology, align with real-world social needs, and foster lifelong learning capability, they will be sustainable over the next decade,” Tien said.

HUST’s leaders emphasized the importance of English skills in the new era. A HUST survey found that students with good English proficiency may earn salaries about 20 percent higher than others when starting their careers. 

He said that each year about 75–80 percent of HUST graduates seek work immediately after graduation. The rest may pursue higher education. For those entering the workforce, two important strengths of the university’s students are their ability to handle heavy workloads in high-pressure environments and their adaptability and compliance with company regulations such as labor safety and workplace culture.

He also noted two skills that students still lack and need to improve: English proficiency and confidence in their own abilities.

“If students improve in these two areas, their job prospects will be very strong,” he said.

According to the 2024 graduate survey, starting salaries that HUST graduates received were around VND12–12.5 million per month. The highest salaries for new graduates were mostly for those working in Japan, averaging VND39–42 million, with some receiving VND48 million, not including allowances.

Thuy Nga