On 1 June 2026, the German Business Association (GBA) successfully hosted its Monthly Business Meeting, welcoming more than 50 business leaders, HR professionals, educators, and members for an insightful discussion on one of the most pressing challenges facing businesses in Vietnam today: attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent.
The session was chaired by Mr. Daniel Henn, GBA Board Member and Regional Manager Vietnam, Indonesia & Philippines and Managing Director of Fuchs Lubricants Vietnam, who led a thought-provoking dialogue on how vocational education and company culture can help organizations build a resilient workforce for the future.
Featuring valuable insights from Dr. Thomas Aulig, Vice President of Vietnamese-German University, Ms. Anh Tran, Head of Human Resources of Bosch Vietnam, Mr. Luat Nguyen of Managing Director, CICOR Vietnam, as well as panelists Mr. Jürgen Weber, Country Director of Logwin Air + Ocean Vietnam and Ms. Trinh Nguyen, Hub and People Manager of Mantu, the discussion highlighted practical approaches to addressing Vietnam’s ongoing talent shortage.
Key Takeways:
◌ Employee retention is about much more than compensation. While salary remains important, company culture continues to be one of the strongest drivers of employee engagement, loyalty, and long-term commitment.
◌ Organizations that successfully retain talent invest in clear career development pathways, continuous learning opportunities, and succession planning that enable employees to envision a future within the company.
◌ German-standard vocational education and dual training models play a critical role in developing highly skilled talent that is aligned with industry needs, helping bridge the gap between education and employment.
◌ A strong corporate identity and people-centric culture can significantly strengthen workforce stability, reduce turnover, and create a more attractive employer brand in an increasingly competitive labor market.
◌ Long-term investment in talent development delivers measurable business value, helping companies build sustainable talent pipelines while reducing the challenges associated with talent shortages and employee poaching.
As Vietnam continues its rapid economic growth, competition for skilled professionals will only intensify. Businesses that prioritize workforce development, embrace vocational education, and foster a strong organizational culture will be better positioned to secure sustainable growth and long-term success.
A sincere thank you to our Chair, speakers, panelists, and all participants for contributing to an engaging and forward-looking discussion. We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming GBA events and continuing the conversation on shaping the future of talent in Vietnam.
