Workers send home about 7 billion USD/year

According to information from the Department of Overseas Labor Management ( Ministry of Interior ), in the first 10 months of 2025, the total number of Vietnamese workers going to work abroad was over 121,000. Key markets such as Japan still lead in the number of workers (over 55,000), Taiwan (China) with over 47,000 workers, and South Korea with nearly 10,000 workers. European markets such as Germany, Romania, Hungary, Russia, etc., remain stable.

It is estimated that by the end of 2025, the number of Vietnamese workers going to work abroad will reach 636,000, during the period 2021-2025.

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, workers going abroad for employment have relatively stable and much higher incomes compared to working domestically in the same profession and with the same qualifications. On average, these workers send back to Vietnam approximately 6.5 - 7 billion USD annually, making a significant contribution to the country's foreign exchange reserves, increasing savings, and improving the lives of workers and their families.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang delivered the opening remarks at the conference. Photo: DO TRUNG

Among the aforementioned countries, Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have emerged as a highly attractive labor market. Currently, Vietnam and the UAE have signed numerous agreements regarding Vietnamese workers going to work in the UAE since 2009. Vietnamese workers began working in the UAE in 1995. As of December 2024, approximately 4,500 Vietnamese workers were living and working in the UAE, primarily in construction, mechanics, restaurant and hotel services, and beauty care. Currently, there are more than 20 companies providing labor export services to the UAE.

Next is Saudi Arabia, where Vietnam has been sending workers since 2004. At its peak, nearly 18,000 Vietnamese workers were employed there. Currently, about 5,000 Vietnamese workers are employed in various sectors: domestic work, construction, transportation, restaurant and hotel services, and mechanical and technical work on oil and gas projects, with an average salary of 500-1,200 USD/month. Between 2022 and 2024, 1,466 workers are expected to go to Saudi Arabia for employment.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: DO TRUNG

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, sending Vietnamese workers abroad still faces several difficulties. For example, in the Japanese market, some businesses have not effectively implemented labor selection and training programs before departure; fees are high; and there are still cases of illegal employment, creating opportunities for workers who abandon their contracts to find jobs and continue residing illegally in Japan.

In South Korea, the state management agency does not pay attention to labor cooperation in its assigned field, resulting in a lack of timely coordination; the rate of seafarers abandoning their contracts to work illegally is very high (over 50%).

The conference was attended by more than 100 businesses operating in the field of labor export. Photo: DO TRUNG

In Taiwan (China), Vietnamese workers are mainly employed in jobs such as caregivers and nurses in hospitals and care centers, construction workers, fishermen on near-shore fishing vessels, and in agriculture . This results in low labor quality, poor work ethics, and high fees paid to recruitment agencies.

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, many individuals and organizations without licenses or the authority to send workers abroad are currently advertising locally and on social media to attract workers; this makes management difficult and also poses a risk of fraud.

Some workers still lack a full understanding of their responsibilities, leading to contract violations, absconding, illegal residency, and violations of the host country's laws.

Forecasts for several labor markets

According to the Department of Overseas Labor Management, the Japanese market is expected to receive approximately 820,000 workers in 16 sectors between now and 2028.

In Taiwan (China), it is projected that by 2030, the country will face a labor shortage of between 400,000 and 480,000 workers.

European countries like Germany are facing a shortage of approximately 1.5 million workers in sectors such as healthcare, science, engineering, IT, construction, mechanics, electrical and plumbing installation, hotels, and restaurants. By 2030, the country is projected to have a shortage of around 5 million workers across all sectors of its economy .

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