FDI creates a job boost in the local area.

Along with the significant increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), many localities in Thanh Hoa are witnessing a clear shift in the workforce. Hundreds of thousands of people who were once purely agricultural workers involved in seasonal work have now become factory workers in modern factories. FDI enterprises not only create job opportunities but also contribute to the formation of an industrial work ethic, improve vocational skills, and gradually build a new industrial workforce for the locality.

A workspace at JINYI JEWELRY Vietnam Co., Ltd.

In the context of Thanh Hoa province's efforts to attract investment in processing, manufacturing, heavy industry, and high-tech sectors, the demand for skilled, disciplined human resources with the ability to adapt to a modern production environment is growing. This is also considered an important foundation for the locality to gradually participate more deeply in the global production chain.

Having commenced operations in Thanh Hoa since 2008, Sakurai Vietnam Co., Ltd. is currently the largest garment manufacturing enterprise in the province, with two facilities located in Le Mon Industrial Park and Bac Hoang Hoa Industrial Cluster, providing employment for nearly 13,000 local workers.

Thanks to the increased application of modern technology in production, in 2025, the company exported approximately 110 million products – the highest level ever – while expanding its market to nearly 20 countries worldwide . Currently, the company has enough orders to maintain production throughout 2026, creating a stable foundation for employment and income for its workers.

Sakurai Vietnam Co., Ltd.'s production facility in Le Mon Industrial Park.

After many years of working at Sakurai Vietnam Company, Ms. Bui Thi Hong said: "The biggest change since joining the company is not only the stable income but also the work ethic. From being used to freelance work in the countryside, 'working when I feel like it, quitting when I don't,' I have now adapted to a modern production environment, working according to procedures, strictly adhering to schedules, and clearly understanding my responsibilities throughout the production line."

According to Mr. Kimura Masanori, Deputy General Director of Sakurai Vietnam Co., Ltd.: In the context of global production chains increasingly demanding high quality and deadlines, building a skilled workforce with discipline and industrial work ethics is a key factor in helping businesses maintain competitiveness. This is also why FDI enterprises in Thanh Hoa are increasingly focusing on training human resources from the grassroots level.

Not only large-scale garment businesses, but many new FDI projects are also creating a strong ripple effect in employment in rural areas. At the Van Ha Industrial Cluster in Thieu Hoa commune, component project I of Alivia Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd., although only operational since the end of 2025, has quickly created stable jobs for more than 3,300 workers.

It is noteworthy that the majority of the workforce here is local. Having previously been accustomed to seasonal agricultural work, many laborers now have access to modern machinery, closed-loop production processes, and a professional working environment. Stable income and benefits also contribute to retaining young workers in their hometowns instead of migrating to larger provinces and cities.

Ms. Khuong Thi Gai, a worker at Alivia Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd., shared: "Previously, I worked at a garment factory in the former Binh Duong province. For over 20 years, I was away from home, and my two children had to be cared for by their grandparents. Since Alivia Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd. started operating, I've been able to return to work near my family and children, in a professional environment with a stable income. I hope to stay with the company long-term, striving to work well to earn a higher income and have a stable life."

Ms. Truong Thi Gai (in the white shirt in the middle) during working hours at Alivia Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd.

Mr. Do Thanh Dong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thieu Hoa commune, said: "The appearance of FDI enterprises not only creates more jobs but also strongly promotes the labor shift in the locality. When people have stable jobs right in their hometown, their material and spiritual lives are improved, and at the same time, a new class of workers is gradually formed to meet the requirements of modern industrial production."

Currently, Thanh Hoa province has 156 FDI enterprises in operation, creating jobs for nearly 286,000 workers. Despite the volatile global economic environment, FDI enterprises in Thanh Hoa continue to operate stably, expand production, and maintain their recruitment needs.

In the first four months of 2026, Thanh Hoa attracted 35 direct investment projects, including 6 FDI projects, with a total registered capital of over VND 9,611 billion and USD 120.6 million. Compared to the same period last year, the number of projects increased by 12.9%, while the total registered capital increased by 9.4 times, showing a clear transformation in both the quality and scale of the projects.

From the actual developments, it can be seen that FDI flows not only create more jobs and increase people's income but also promote labor mobility, forming a new industrial workforce in Thanh Hoa. This is considered an important foundation for Thanh Hoa to develop large-scale, high-tech industries, gradually participate more deeply in the global production chain, and move closer to the goal of becoming a new industrial production center of the North Central region.

Thuy Luong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/fdi-tao-cu-hich-viec-lam-tai-dia-phuong-288253.htm