Managing human capital recovery: gender and regional insights from Vietnam post-COVID-19

Purpose This study examines the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on labour income in Vietnam over the period 2015–2023, with a focus on gender and regional disparities (Brodeur et al., 2021). Design/methodology/approach Annual aggregate data published by Vietnam's General Statistics Office are analysed using time-series techniques and difference-in-differences (DiD) estimation. Findings Labour income declined sharply in 2020, with urban areas recording a larger drop (−5.6%) than rural areas (−1.7%). By 2023, incomes had partially recovered; however, the male–female gap had widened to USD 81,810, and the urban–rural gap reached USD 93,932, both considerably larger than pre-pandemic levels. DiD estimates, supported by parallel pre-trends, indicate persistently greater adverse effects on female and rural workers, consistent with historical evidence that pandemics exacerbate economic and gender inequalities (Brzezinski, 2021). Practical implications The results underscore the potential value of targeted vocational training, digital skills programs, and gender-sensitive workplace policies in supporting the recovery of more vulnerable labor market segments. Originality/value This study offers a rare national-level analysis of gender and regional labor income disparities in Vietnam, utilizing annually aggregated official data that span the full pre-COVID (2015–2019) and post-COVID (2020–2023) periods.