Income Levels of Vietnamese Workers in Foreign Markets

 The monthly income of Vietnamese workers in South Korea ranges from 1,600 to 2,000 USD, while in traditional markets like Malaysia, it is around 400 to 600 USD.

The Vietnam Migration Profile 2023, published by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the end of October, provides income statistics from key labor markets where Vietnamese workers are employed.

Workers in South Korea earn the highest wages, ranging from 1,600 to 2,000 USD, followed by Japan with 1,200 to 1,500 USD, Taiwan with 800 to 1,200 USD, and some European countries offering similar rates. The Middle East and Malaysia report lower wages, approximately 600 to 1,000 USD for skilled workers and 400 to 600 USD per month for unskilled workers.

Vietnamese workers participating in the EPS program exam for employment in South Korea in 2023. Photo: Ngọc Thành

The majority of receiving markets offer minimum wages much higher than in Vietnam. In 2022, the minimum wage in major labor markets like Japan and South Korea was 7-9 times higher, while in Australia and New Zealand, it was about 15 times higher. Countries like China, Malaysia, and Thailand also report minimum wages significantly higher than Vietnam’s.

"Although the cost of living is high, the wages still allow workers to earn better than they would in Vietnam," the report noted, adding that workers also have opportunities to improve their skills and accumulate expertise in a professional work environment.

Over 650,000 Vietnamese workers are currently employed in more than 40 countries and territories, sending back remittances worth 3.5-4 billion USD annually. Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea remain the top three labor markets, with Japan having topped the list for five consecutive years. In addition to traditional markets, Vietnam is expanding its labor export destinations to include Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Hungary.

By region, the Red River Delta, which includes the provinces of Hải Dương, Hưng Yên, Nam Định, Hanoi, Thái Bình, Ninh Bình, and Hải Phòng, leads the country with over 32,600 workers. The North Central and Central Coastal regions, including Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, and Quảng Trị, follow with more than 25,500 workers.

Top 10 localities with the most workers going abroad (as of November 2023)


According to the Migration Profile, 80% of Vietnamese workers abroad are employed in labor-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, including mechanical work, garment production, footwear, and electronics assembly. Other major industries include construction, agriculture, fisheries, domestic services, and elderly or sick care. Some highly skilled workers, such as managers and engineers, choose to stay abroad due to higher income, better benefits, and growth opportunities, contributing to the "brain drain" phenomenon.

Vietnamese unskilled workers are generally seen as hardworking and knowledgeable, but the rate of illegal stay after contract expiration or workers leaving their jobs is high. This has led to fewer opportunities for others in Vietnam to work abroad. In some cases, Vietnamese workers have faced violations of their rights, such as mistreatment, working long hours, unfair treatment, or inadequate working conditions.

Mr. Lê Hoàng Hà, a specialist at the Department of Overseas Labor Management under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, emphasized that Vietnam's strength lies in its unskilled labor force. However, in many developed countries, simple jobs are being replaced by robots and technology applications. Language remains a significant barrier for Vietnamese workers abroad.

According to Mr. Hà, these factors combined create major challenges, making it crucial for workers to improve their skills and focus on learning foreign languages to enhance their competitiveness and increase their job opportunities upon returning to Vietnam.

Read More and update information about Vietnam Manpower: https://vietnammanpower.info.vn/

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