Hiring demand inches up for legal specialisations in law firms and same industry background in in-house opportunities

In 2024, it was business as usual for the pharmaceutical, FMCG and consumer healthcare sectors in Vietnam, with hiring volumes compensating for reduced demand in other sectors.

“These sectors, as well as the in-house legal market, hired consistently this year. Even though law firms focused on maintaining the status quo, hiring talent on a case-by-case basis, they still sought out mid-level associates and middle management as turnover was high at this level,” recounts Silvia Quirino, Senior Manager at Robert Walters Vietnam. “However, industries like real estate and energy posted sluggish demand as most projects were put on hold”. 

Read on to find out more about Silvia’s expectations for Vietnam’s labour market and hiring trends for Legal professionals in 2025.

Some specialisations see stronger demand 

Like in previous years, law firms continue to be on the lookout for local talents with international work or educational experience. Meanwhile, companies looking to hire in-house talent will place more attention on lawyers with experience in the same industry, and those who can present themselves as strong business partners.

There is also expected to be strong demand for talent experienced in government affairs.

Specialisations like corporate, finance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and energy will also stand out in 2025.

Businesses look for expert negotiators and partners 

The top roles in the year ahead across industries are legal managers and government affairs specialists. Within law firms, talent at the senior associate level will also be highly sought after.

Most of all, businesses want independent individuals who can serve as strategic business advisors that can deal with challenging stakeholders. For that reason, business partnering skills are very valuable. Autonomy and the ability to work under pressure are also highly prized. There is also a strong need for talent fluent in both English and Vietnamese.

Candidates are more careful

Opportunities are more limited in Vietnam’s legal industry at the moment and candidates are holding their cards close to their chest. 

“They know it won’t be easy to find another position soon, so candidates are being more selective,” Silvia notes. “Compensation, work environment, growth opportunities and inspiring leadership – these are all factors that they weigh when contemplating a new move.”

Candidates exploring opportunities in law firms tend to prioritise the firm’s reputation, leadership and work volumes. They also seek to understand career development opportunities offered in the firm and promotion pathways. In-house candidates, on the other hand, are more interested in the company’s business operations and performance, reporting lines, team size and exposure to other markets. Across the sector, legal candidates prefer remote and hybrid work arrangements.

When recruiting talent, Silvia highlights that candidate experience is key, positioning interviews as opportunities for businesses to share more about the company’s culture and leadership.

She recommends hiring talent based on potential as these candidates tend to stay longer in the firm as they have room for growth. “Legal professionals care deeply about their career progression, so companies that can support them in this area have a better shot at retaining them. Besides holding discussions about their growth, I would advise exposing them to different projects or markets to keep them challenged and engaged. Regular salary reviews also help good performers feel appreciated.” 

Higher increments for in-house openings

Salaries are expected to rise at a stable rate among talent moving jobs in law firms. On the other hand, there are few in-house positions as only highly regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, healthcare, tobacco and alcohol have legal headcounts. As such, these companies will likely offer higher pay increments to overcome candidate reservations and attract the talent they need. 

Find out more

Request access to our 2025 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in Vietnam.