<p>Mental health among adults engaged in higher education and employment has become an increasing concern in the post-COVID-19 period, particularly because psychological difficulties may affect educational access, learning engagement, work functioning, and overall well-being. This study compared the mental health profiles of Vietnamese university students, non-traditional students, and working adults, while also identifying distinct patterns of psychological adjustment across these groups. Data were collected from 506 Vietnamese adults, including university students, non-traditional students, and working adults. Participants completed measures of self-compassion, work engagement, depression, anxiety, and stress. Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct mental health profiles. Four profiles emerged: “General,” “Well-adjusted,” “Clinical-risk,” and “High stress.” University students were more likely to be classified in the “Clinical-risk” profile, whereas working adults were more frequently represented in the “High stress” profile. Non-traditional students were more commonly classified in the “General” and “Well-adjusted” profiles. These findings suggest that mental health risks and protective psychological characteristics may differ across educational and occupational groups in post-COVID-19 Vietnam. The study highlights the need for tailored mental health interventions, particularly for university students and working adults who may experience elevated psychological vulnerability.</p>