A Hanoi IT worker with five years of experience now earns only VND20 million a month, about half his previous salary. This sharp cut shows how quickly earnings can fall even for seasoned professionals.

Layoffs and growing competition have made IT less attractive, causing university students to hesitate about choosing the field. The article notes that many students once expected high pay after graduation, but that expectation is now much harder to meet.

The rise of artificial intelligence is also changing how the industry operates. Many AI tools can now write code, detect bugs, produce documentation and automate tasks that previously required programmers.

Simple, repetitive tasks may come under greater pressure, while those with strong technical expertise and problem‑solving skills will still have opportunities to advance. Workers are exploring alternative income sources, such as making money online, to supplement reduced salaries.