According to the HCM City Employment Service Centre, nearly 174,000 people had applied for unemployment benefits as of September 25, up more than 8,500, or 5.15 per cent, from 165,156 in the same period last year.
Despite the rise, the city's labour market has shown strong signs of improvement, with recruitment demand remaining high.
In the first nine months of 2026, more than 174,000 people sought jobs, while businesses registered demand for nearly 247,000 workers.
The labour shortage became particularly evident in September, when recruitment demand remained at nearly 27,000 positions while the number of jobseekers fell to about 18,000 from more than 21,000 in August.
Labour shortages were reported in 21 of 27 major occupational groups, particularly manufacturing and engineering, trade and sales, finance and banking, construction and logistics.
Businesses have stepped up recruitment, with large numbers taking part in job fairs organised by the city's Employment Service Centre.
During the first nine months, the centre held 163 job fairs at its headquarters, branches and wards and communes across the city.
Nearly 633,000 people received employment advice and assistance, with more than 34,000 referred to jobs and over 11,000 securing employment.
Nguyen Van Hanh Thuc, director of the HCM City Employment Service Centre, said another 11 job fairs were planned for October to connect employers with jobseekers.