This amount makes a significant contribution to the country's foreign currency reserves, increases household savings, and improves living standards for workers and their families, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang said at a conference in Hanoi on Thursday on addressing challenges faced by labor-export enterprises.

People wait in line to take the Korean language test for their application to work in South Korea, May 2025.

"The figure is comparable to that of some export industries," Thang noted, adding that beyond economic contributions, overseas labor also serves as a diplomatic channel, with Vietnamese workers remaining highly regarded by many countries.

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, more than 121,000 Vietnamese workers went abroad in the first 10 months of this year, reaching 93% of the annual target.

Traditional labor markets remain stable, with Japan receiving 55,000 workers, followed by Taiwan with over 47,000, South Korea with 10,000, and others such as Germany, Romania, Hungary, and Russia.

About 450,000 Vietnamese are currently employed in Japan, the most popular destination, including 200,000 trainees, nearly 150,000 workers under the specified skills program, and more than 100,000 engineers and technicians.

In addition to manufacturing, both countries now recruit nurses and caregivers—professions in high demand in Japan due to its aging population.

Taiwan is another key market. Since cooperation began in 1999, 292,000 Vietnamese workers have been employed there, primarily in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and construction, earning $950–$1,500 per month. Remittances from Taiwan alone are projected at $2.8 billion this year.

South Korea remains attractive due to high wages, with nearly 97,000 Vietnamese working there and earning an average of $1,500–$1,800 per month.

The EPS (Employment Permit System) program has allowed South Korean employers to legally recruit 143,000 Vietnamese workers over the past 20 years, averaging around 10,000 per year.

Currently, 42,500 Vietnamese are working under EPS in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction, shipbuilding, and forestry.

Vietnam is also the leading source of skilled and technical workers in South Korea (E7 visa), with around 13,000 workers, many transitioning from the EPS program.

Additionally, nearly 10,000 Vietnamese seafarers and over 7,000 seasonal agricultural and fisheries workers are in the country.

Beyond Asian markets, Vietnam is expanding to Europe, sending labor to 25 countries, with Romania receiving more than 12,000 workers, followed by Hungary (4,700), Poland (nearly 3,000), Germany (1,800), Russia (1,870), and Greece (1,100).

However, several challenges persist, said Vu Truong Giang, acting director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management.

In Japan, the depreciation of the yen has reduced worker incomes. In South Korea, over 50% of Vietnamese seafarers breach contracts to work illegally for higher income, despite lacking insurance and facing future entry bans.

South Korea has responded by restricting labor recruitment from provinces with high rates of illegal workers.

In Taiwan, unlicensed brokers remain a serious issue. Some companies pay commissions to secure contracts, raising labor costs.

Migrant workers must also pay high service and pre-employment fees ranging from NT$60,000–NT$200,000, along with monthly service charges of NT$1,500–NT$1,800.

While these fees are meant to cover support services, brokers often charge employers little or nothing, shifting the burden to workers.

Looking ahead, Giang said Vietnam will consolidate traditional markets, open new ones, and prioritize high-income destinations. Key sectors will include mechanical engineering, electronics and telecommunications, new energy, and renewable energy.

"The focus is shifting from unskilled labor to skilled workers meeting European standards," he stressed, calling for strengthened vocational training aligned with foreign employer needs.

Authorities are streamlining administrative procedures while tightening oversight of recruitment, training, and fee collection. The Ministry of Home Affairs and police will conduct unannounced inspections and penalize unauthorized labor-sending organizations.

This year, Vietnam expects to send about 636,000 workers abroad, reaching 127% of the 2021–2025 plan.

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