In Vietnam, an increasing number of young adults are choosing their career paths based on guidance from fortune telling and numerology.

Currently, TikTok in Vietnam is flooded with clips promoting unconventional methods for career decision-making, such as choosing majors based on the four pillars of destiny (similar to Chinese Zodiac signs), numerology, tarot reading, and horoscopes.

These clips are highly appealing to viewers searching for career counseling on the short video-sharing platform, yet the reliability of the information they provide remains subject to scrutiny.

Viral clips

A clip titled 'Professions aligned with spiritual energy fields' posted by a TikTok account named HQN 00.00 has recently garnered nearly 45,000 likes and over 1,000 comments.

In the clip, the account owner shared personal experiences about discovering spirituality and realizing that their current profession was not a good fit. 

They decided to quit their job and pursue a path in line with their numerology, which they found more fulfilling and comfortable, thereby improving their life.

The TikToker also emphasized choosing a career based on spiritual numbers to create positive outcomes.

In the comments section, many TikTok users sought advice, such as "I’m considering opening a nail salon but unsure, can you help me calculate my main number?" and "What career path is suitable for someone with the number 7?"

“I’m a number 10 and I have a natural affinity for children,” another user named H.A. confessed.

“I enjoy teaching and playing with them. 

“It’s not fulfilling working in an office; should I consider switching to kindergarten?”

Another unconventional method of career counseling involves tarot reading, where TikTokers predict future career paths simply by selecting a card. 

Some TikTokers also turn to more complicated techniques.

For instance, the account I.A.L. shared a video explaining career trends using what they call the ‘Matrix of Destiny,’ garnering thousands of views.

Impacts

K.H., a 20-year-old studying in Thu Duc City of Ho Chi Minh City, shared that she frequently turns to TikTok for insights into her numerology and horoscope. 

She has paid a few dollars for different private consultations to gain a better understanding of her career path. 

These consulting sessions heavily influenced her decision to pursue her current field of study.

“In the past, I was advised that my main number would align well with majors involving honesty, critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to handle pressure,” K.H. recalled.

“So, I chose to study law when I was torn between law and pedagogy."

Meanwhile, T.N., a 19-year-old studying journalism and communications at a university in Ho Chi Minh City for the past two years, mentioned that after consulting friends about horoscopes, they concluded that the journalism industry might not suit T.N. in the long term.

T.N. received advice suggesting a change of majors to a more suitable technical field, which has left them quite worried despite their current interest in the field of study they have already chosen.

Huynh Thanh Phu, principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School in Ho Chi Minh City, criticized numerology and tarot card fortune-telling as forms of superstition.

“Currently, social media is inundated with negative spiritual information,” Phu commented. 

“Overzealous viewers can be greatly impacted in terms of their health, spirit, and even their lives.

“Students who neglect their education and instead rely on luck, divine powers, or supernatural aid are putting themselves at risk.”

Dr. Huynh Ngoc Anh, head of the student affairs department at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, emphasized the importance of long-term career guidance.

“Career guidance is a crucial journey that ensures individuals have a clear direction and make informed career choices,” Anh explained.

“While additional forms of consulting through social media provide young people with more accessible information in the digital age, it’s essential to critically assess and verify this information against multiple sources before making decisions."

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