Labor export - A new direction for the Hmong people.

Just a few years ago, Coc O village in Hiep Luc commune was one of the most disadvantaged Mong communities. But recently, sturdy houses have gradually replaced temporary shelters, and the lives of the people have changed dramatically thanks to a new direction: labor export.

Many new, spacious houses have been built in the Mong village of Coc O.

Coc O is about 15km from the commune center, along a winding mountain pass. We visited the family of Mr. Hoang Van Lu, one of the first families whose children went to work in Japan, to witness firsthand the changes in his family.

Through our conversation, we learned that after three years of working, Mr. Lu's eldest son had sent money home to build a spacious house. According to calculations by the villagers, each worker in Japan can send home 20-25 million VND per month, a significant income for the people here, helping them invest in production and stabilize their lives.

Mr. Hoang Van Lu shared that initially, his family was hesitant about letting their son go far away, but the positive changes seen in the experiences of the villagers made them more confident. After 5 years, the village has changed a lot; there are roads for cars and electricity. Thanks to overseas labor, life is becoming more prosperous.

From the first migrant worker in 2018, Coc O village now has 11 people working in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. 100% of households in the village currently have members working as factory workers in industrial zones or as migrant laborers.

In just five years, there are no more temporary houses; 90% of households have built solid homes worth from several hundred million to billions of dong. Ms. Vang Thi Sung, Secretary of the Coc O Party Branch, said: "Initially, no one thought about going abroad for work. But when they saw the practical benefits, the people gradually changed their mindset and were ready to integrate. My husband himself was one of the first to go to Japan."

According to Mr. Dam Van Trung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hiep Luc commune, labor export has proven effective in poverty reduction in the locality. The commune will continue to mobilize, support, advise, and connect people with loan opportunities so that they have more opportunities to participate.

The province currently has approximately 34,000 Hmong people, mainly living in mountainous areas where socio- economic conditions are still challenging. Labor export not only provides a stable source of income but also helps change production mindsets, improve organizational awareness and work ethics, gradually eliminate introverted, hesitant, and self-conscious attitudes, and contribute to opening up a new life in many villages and hamlets in mountainous areas and ethnic minority communities.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202509/xuat-khau-lao-dong-huong-di-moi-o-ban-mong-cbf6408/