Major Cities Need a Strong FinTech Workforce
Students majoring in Financial Technology (FinTech) are required to possess skills in data analysis, basic quantitative computation, logical reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
In recent years, Vietnam’s FinTech sector has experienced significant growth, driven by the rapid adoption of digital transactions, the expansion of e-commerce, and strong government support for the development of digital payment systems.
Recognizing this development trend and the increasingly broad career opportunities in FinTech, many universities in recent years have begun offering academic programs in this field.
A Golden Key in the Digital Economy
Speaking with Vietnam Education Electronic Magazine, Associate Professor Dr. Phung Thai Minh Trang, Head of the Faculty of Finance and Banking at Hoa Sen University, shared that Vietnam’s FinTech market is growing rapidly and making substantial contributions to the country’s economic development.
FinTech is an interdisciplinary field combining technology and finance. It focuses on applying technology to create new or improve existing financial products and services, thereby better meeting market needs and contributing to economic growth.
FinTech activities are closely associated with the emergence and application of technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), data visualization, and big data analytics. These tools play a crucial role in transforming the financial services industry.
Assoc. Prof. Phung Thai Minh Trang, Head of the Faculty of Finance and Banking, Hoa Sen University. Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.
According to Ms. Trang, in response to the strong growth of the FinTech market, the Faculty of Finance and Banking at Hoa Sen University is offering a Bachelor’s program in Financial Technology to meet the demand for high-quality human resources.
The FinTech program at Hoa Sen University is internationally oriented and application-focused. Its faculty members are highly qualified, experienced, and trained at reputable international institutions. Numerous research studies on Vietnam’s FinTech market conducted by the faculty have been published in both domestic and international journals.
With the involvement of leading FinTech experts, the program integrates theory with practice and equips students with up-to-date knowledge such as AI applications in financial investment, Python programming for finance, big data analytics, blockchain, and FinTech risk management.
The curriculum stays aligned with modern trends while ensuring a strong foundation in finance, especially in subjects related to FinTech such as risk management in FinTech, blockchain, and big data. In addition, students are equipped with technological knowledge integrated with finance to meet business needs.
Modern facilities allow students to practice with enterprise-level simulation software. Two internship periods at partner companies help more than 98% of graduates secure full-time employment immediately after graduation.
FinTech professionals are required to possess combined knowledge of finance and technology. Therefore, students need strong skills in data analysis, basic calculations, logical reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking, along with passion and perseverance in pursuing the chosen field.
Sharing the same perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Tung Lam, Head of the Faculty of Finance at the University of Economics – The University of Da Nang, emphasized that the demand for FinTech human resources is currently very high, especially in major cities.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, marked by rapid advancements in information technology, has brought profound changes to socio-economic life. FinTech has reshaped the global finance–banking landscape through innovative solutions. It combines finance and technology to create new products, business models, and platforms in the financial sector.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), by 2025 Vietnam’s revenue from digital financial services is expected to reach USD 3.8 billion, while mobile payment transaction value is forecast to triple between 2021 and 2025.
While core technology products are typically developed by technology experts, delivering these products to the market requires professionals with strong financial expertise and technological understanding. Such professionals help maximize value creation, develop new financial solutions, and optimize existing financial processes.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of FinTech, career opportunities for graduates are diverse and highly promising.
Assoc. Prof. Dang Tung Lam, Head of the Faculty of Finance, University of Economics – The University of Da Nang. Photo: University website.
With its young population and high internet and smartphone penetration rates, Da Nang is creating significant opportunities for FinTech industry development.
To meet this demand, the university encourages finance lecturers to receive additional training in technology and transition into FinTech research, while also recruiting faculty members specializing in data science, AI, and related fields to teach finance-related content.
The university places strong emphasis on developing students’ soft skills, creative thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities—essential competencies for sustainable development in the digital finance–banking era.
In addition, the university actively collaborates with employers through extracurricular programs and practical experiences, enabling students to gain early exposure to real-world working environments. International collaboration in education is also strengthened to develop high-quality human resources.
Diverse and Attractive Career Opportunities
According to the Head of the Faculty of Finance and Banking at Hoa Sen University, the rapid development of FinTech has created strong demand for human resources. Graduates with combined expertise in finance and technology enjoy broader career opportunities.
Leading Vietnamese corporations are actively adapting to the industrial revolution, making the employment potential of FinTech graduates extremely promising.
FinTech graduates can work as strategic planning specialists, information systems managers, data analysts, risk management analysts, technology project managers, or product and service development specialists at FinTech firms, technology companies, banks, financial service providers, and government agencies.
With entrepreneurship embedded in training and experiential activities, students can also start their own businesses or pursue FinTech startup projects.
Similarly, the Head of the Faculty of Finance at the University of Economics – The University of Da Nang noted that startups, banks, and large enterprises all have strong demand for FinTech professionals. Graduates can work at FinTech companies, banks, financial service providers, R&D organizations, government agencies, or pursue entrepreneurship in FinTech startups.
As digital technology continues to advance, both domestic and multinational companies increasingly require FinTech professionals, expanding global career opportunities.
Student Perspective
Vo Phu Thinh, a FinTech student at Hoa Sen University, shared that self-learning plays a crucial role in this new discipline. Students need to build effective learning methods and maintain long-term discipline.
He emphasized the importance of integrating finance and technology knowledge, particularly in blockchain, AI, Python, SQL, and financial data analysis. Staying updated on trends such as e-payments and data security is also essential.
In addition to academic learning, he focuses on teamwork skills to adapt to future academic and professional environments. When facing challenges, he proactively seeks guidance from academic advisors and faculty members to clarify career directions and suitable learning pathways.
Thinh concluded that actively seeking support, self-studying, and pursuing certified supplementary courses—guided by faculty advice—are key to succeeding in the FinTech field.
Source: Thu Trang, Vietnam Education Electronic Magazine