"The gateway" to sustainable poverty alleviation.

Working abroad under contract is not only a solution to immediate unemployment, but is also becoming a sustainable path helping many families in Lao Cai increase their income, improve their living standards, and gradually become wealthy, making a positive contribution to their homeland. With stable and relatively high incomes, along with support from preferential loan policies of the State, the program is becoming an effective economic lever.

Change your mindset, change your life.

Ms. Tran Thi Tuynh, from Dong Buoi village, Tran Yen commune, has been working under contract in Taiwan for over 10 years. Having spent many years working in agriculture , she quickly adapted to working abroad, proactively learning foreign languages, honing her skills, and successfully fulfilling her duties caring for the elderly. For the first five years, her income fluctuated around 12-13 million VND per month, later increasing to approximately 17-18 million VND per month.

“Vietnamese people are hardworking and skillful, so they adapt to work very quickly. Working abroad under contract has completely changed my family's life. We have built a house and have capital to develop our economy, ” shared Ms. Tran Thi Tuynh.

Workers participate in skills training before going to work abroad.

From 2022 to the present, Lao Cai province has sent 3,232 workers abroad under contract, distributed across various markets such as Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. The public disclosure and transparency of labor market information and the costs of working abroad under contract have helped workers find suitable jobs, employers find qualified workers, and reduced unnecessary and informal transaction costs.

In addition, Lao Cai province is implementing a program to send workers to South Korea for seasonal employment under cooperation agreements between the two localities. The program allows Vietnamese workers to participate in short-term employment in South Korea, primarily in agriculture and fisheries. Workers will work under an E8 visa. The average monthly income for workers ranges from 38 to 40 million VND per person, depending on the specific occupation and work area; after deducting expenses, the estimated amount sent home to their families each month can range from 20 to 30 million VND.

Officials from the Provincial Employment Service Center provide advice to workers.

Through the media, Ms. Ngan Thi Mai from Trung Tam ward participated in an orientation course on seasonal work in South Korea organized by the Provincial Employment Service Center.

"I really want to go to South Korea to work seasonally, especially during the off-season for farming. I hope that, when we go there, we will not only earn extra income but also learn a lot of experience in high-tech agricultural production to apply to farming in our homeland," Mai shared.

The government provides support and unlocks resources.

Over the past period, the Provincial Employment Service Center has coordinated with licensed enterprises to send workers abroad to organize training courses covering topics such as: knowledge of Vietnamese law and the laws of the receiving country; customs, traditions, culture, and labor discipline; skills in working in an industrial environment; communication skills, daily life skills, and personal financial management; and equipping workers with knowledge on risk prevention and protection of their rights. In addition, the center also provides counseling, job placement services, and information networking for workers who have returned from working abroad under contract. Based on their foreign language proficiency, work skills, expertise, and work ethic acquired during their time working abroad, they will have the opportunity to access and choose suitable jobs domestically.

Workers seek information about programs and job openings.

In 2025 alone, the unit organized 203 job fairs; providing information and advice on labor policies, employment, vocational training, and overseas work to more than 56,000 people.

“The center has always considered orientation training and education as a crucial step in helping workers prepare with the necessary knowledge and skills. The training process is conducted according to regulations, helping workers to be confident and adapt quickly to the working environment abroad,” said Ms. Le Hoang Anh, Deputy Director of the Provincial Employment Service Center.

To support workers who wish to work abroad, Lao Cai province continues to implement many practical financial support policies. In addition to central government budget funds allocated from national target programs, the province has issued resolutions stipulating several policies to support workers going to work abroad under contract. The Social Policy Bank branch in the province is the focal point, leading the implementation of policies supporting workers to borrow capital when participating in overseas employment under contract. By March 2026, the branch had disbursed loans to 241 customers, with outstanding debt of 16.78 billion VND.

An orientation class for workers going to work seasonally in South Korea.

Mr. Pham Tuan Chung, Deputy Director of the Department of Internal Affairs, stated: “Lao Cai province aims to send approximately 2,000 workers abroad under contract in 2026. We will continue to explore good, high-quality, and low-cost markets and aim to expand to potential markets. Besides improving the quality of the workforce, the Department of Internal Affairs will closely coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to promote awareness, manage, and minimize legal violations and disputes during the workers' overseas employment.”

It can be affirmed that remittances from workers employed abroad under contract have made a significant contribution to the local economy. Simultaneously, these workers acquire modern production skills, accumulate experience, and create a favorable foundation for starting businesses upon their return home. This not only helps improve the economic lives of individual households but also promotes local economic development and shifts the labor structure in a positive direction.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/canh-cua-thoat-ngheo-ben-vung-post896862.html