A Strong Foothold for Labor Employment

Phu Tho province currently has a total of 140 approved Industrial Clusters (ICs). Among these, 130 ICs are planned across over 6,496 hectares, while 10 ICs are identified in the integrated Planning Vision for 2050, covering 750 hectares. To date, the province has established 66 ICs spanning more than 3,075 hectares. With 35 ICs already operational, the province has attracted 930 projects, creating jobs for over 37,000 workers with an average income of approximately 8 million VND per month. This system of ICs is gradually proving its effectiveness as a vital pillar for local employment.

GY Vietnam Co., Ltd (Yen Lap IC) creates jobs for over 300 workers with an average income of 8–12 million VND per month.

At GY Vietnam Co., Ltd (Yen Lap IC), a firm specializing in children’s toys, Ms. Hoang Thi Huyen shared her thoughts while operating a plastic molding press about the job she started a few months ago.

"Earlier this year, I submitted my application to GY Vietnam, which is only about 5km from my house. The work isn’t too strenuous, and the income is stable at nearly 10 million VND per month. Compared to my previous jobs at industrial parks in Hanoi, the basic salary is similar, but high living costs, rent, and commuting expenses there meant I could hardly save anything. Most importantly, working near home allows me to take care of my children. The company also ensures social welfare benefits and provides full protective gear," said Ms. Huyen.

Like Ms. Huyen, many other workers from rural and mountainous areas surrounding Yen Lap have decided to return and work for companies within the local IC instead of traveling hundreds of kilometers to other provinces.

At Gemmy Tan Son Joint Stock Company (Tan Son IC), which specializes in manufacturing and exporting laminated wood products, many skilled workers from other industrial zones have also applied to work here for an average salary of over 8 million VND per month.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, a worker from Tan Son Commune, noted that she previously worked for an electronics firm at the Thuy Van Industrial Park. While the pay was comparable, the high cost of rent, utilities, and daily expenses led her to move back. “Stable income combined with being close to home helps me save on costs and gives me more time for my children,” she explained.

Currently, the workforce in these ICs consists primarily of local residents and people from neighboring areas. A significant number of workers who previously worked far from home are choosing to return as ICs are established and go into operation right in their hometowns.

This labor shift is the result of the province’s efforts to promote the development of new ICs and attract secondary investors. These clusters are strategically distributed across regions with abundant labor resources and convenient transport connectivity.

At the Bac Lam Thao IC in Xuan Lung Commune, with a total investment of approximately 330 billion VND, THAGACO International Investment JSC—an export garment enterprise—signed a land lease agreement in late 2025. The project is expected to recruit 2,000 workers in Phase I and 3,000 in Phase II, opening up significant local employment opportunities for rural laborers.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (Xuan Lung Commune) shared: "When I worked far away, the workload was inconsistent, leading to unstable income. Now that businesses in this IC are starting up, many workers like me are planning to find jobs here to save on costs, avoid the hardship of traveling far, and have more time for our families."

Additionally, supporting services such as boarding houses, catering, transport, and small-scale trade are thriving alongside the ICs, creating extra livelihoods for residents and driving economic growth in rural areas.

Mr. Tran Quang Tuan, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, stated: "The province’s industrial development orientation for the coming period prioritizes green, circular, ecological, and high-tech IC models. The Department has proposed adjustments to Phu Tho’s IC development plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, ensuring feasibility and a specific implementation roadmap. We focus on selecting infrastructure investors with experience, financial capacity, and the ability to attract clients."

With a clear strategy and a scientific, localized approach, industrial clusters in Phu Tho are continuing to foster local employment, shifting the labor structure from agriculture to industry and services. This ensures social stability and environmental protection while gradually driving the industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

Ngoc Tuan