When psychology becomes the career choice of the modern era.

As the need for understanding and psychological support increases, the role of mental health professionals becomes more important than ever. Along with this, psychology has become a highly promising career choice.

A 2025 study published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) indicates that the incidence of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related conditions has increased significantly in recent decades.

Current state of the psychology job market

Mental health is one of the global concerns of modern society. In 2013, the 66th World Health Assembly adopted the WHO's Comprehensive Plan of Action on Mental Health 2013-2020. In Vietnam, over the past two decades, the government has initiated large-scale programs to reform and develop the mental health care system.

According to a 2019 WHO report, one in eight people worldwide are living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression being the most common. In Vietnam, according to the report on the results of a nationwide survey of 10 common mental disorders (2001-2003), the prevalence of these disorders accounts for 14.9% of the population, equivalent to nearly 15 million people.

The rise in mental health issues has led to a growing need for mental health care and understanding within the community. Many businesses have begun implementing employee support programs (EAPs), schools are increasing the number of school psychologists, while private counseling and therapy centers are becoming more prevalent. As a result, the job market in the field of psychology in Vietnam is expanding and becoming increasingly diversified.

Despite the increasing demand for psychological support, the field of psychology currently lacks sufficient personnel. According to a 2021 UNICEF report, Vietnam has only 143 clinical psychologists and psychotherapists (equivalent to 3% of all clinicians) in public hospitals. This ratio of clinical psychologists to psychotherapists per 100,000 people is 0.15 – nearly 10 times lower than the global average.

See also salary levels in the psychology field and factors that directly influence income in this industry.

Job opportunities for psychology graduates

The demand for mental health care is increasing rapidly, while the supply of psychology professionals remains limited, creating a significant gap and numerous career opportunities in this field.

Graduates in Psychology have opportunities to take on job positions such as school counselors, counselors at counseling centers, radio stations, television stations, nursing homes, labor organizations, and non -governmental organizations; or professional assistants in psychotherapy and clinical psychology at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Beyond therapeutic and counseling aspects, psychological knowledge is widely applied in fields such as marketing (consumer behavior research, advertising), human resources (recruitment, training, and development), and technology (user experience research - UX).

Psychology graduates who wish to practice as psychologists must pursue a master's degree and meet the registration requirements stipulated by the relevant government authority.

See details about what you can do with a psychology degree and career opportunities in this field.

Where should students interested in psychology study?

If you are interested in psychology, you should pursue high-quality training programs that balance theory and practice, along with ample opportunities for practical experience to better seize career opportunities or pursue further in-depth research after graduation.

In Vietnam, one of the highly regarded options currently is the Bachelor of Psychology program at RMIT – a pioneering internationally standardized psychology program in Vietnam.

The Bachelor of Psychology program at RMIT Vietnam is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), as part of a pathway for students towards professional psychology certification in Australia. APAC is an independent organization that establishes and evaluates quality standards for psychology programs in Australia.

Students learn through a multi-modal approach (combining online and in-person learning) with lecturers who are leading psychologists with internationally recognized qualifications. Beyond theory, students participate in in-depth classroom discussions, research, and various group or individual assignments to develop critical thinking and multidisciplinary soft skills. The program also features a vast global resource library including case studies, academic research, and teaching materials from numerous countries, updated regularly by RMIT Melbourne, such as ProQuest and APA-FT (Australian Public Affairs).

The Work-Learning (WIL) approach is also applied in this program. Throughout their studies, students participate in workshops and conversations with experts in psychology from multiple disciplines. In their final year, students have the opportunity to participate in a research project or internship at one of RMIT's business partners.

Upon completion of the program, students may be eligible to enroll in an Honours program at RMIT or a Postgraduate program in Vietnam and Australia to further pursue specialization in the field of psychotherapy.

Bich Dao

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/khi-nganh-tam-ly-hoc-tro-thanh-lua-chon-thoi-dai-2471525.html