Impact of COVID-19 on employees in Vietnam, May 2020

This fact sheet provides findings around impacts of COVID-19 on employment, productivity, income, household responsibilities, and mental and physical health in Vietnam.

Key Findings

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on employment in Vietnam, despite the health crisis being well contained:

• A majority of employees reported their hours and pay were reduced, or they received a pay cut, and some employees took unpaid leave or were suspended. Only 40% of employees could report that COVID-19 had no impact on their job.
• A total of 7 out of 10 families lost income.

However, nearly 70% of employees reported they were able to be equally productive during the crisis. Of those who felt their productivity had decreased, men were more likely to report anxiety and stress, while women mentioned increased housework and child care.

Domestic duties and child care increased for everyone, but women were disproportionately affected. Importantly, 50% of respondents said COVID-19 had a negative impact on their mental well-being, and 34% said COVID-19 had a negative impact on their physical well-being.

Learn more about COVID-19 and women’s economic empowerment (WEE) on the COVID-19 & WEE resource section.