"I'd rather go to Korea than earn KRW 300,000 a month"... Youth exodus leaves Vietnam's manufacturing sector short-staffed

Workers Leave for Overseas Jobs Amid Low Wages

Labor Shortage Persists Despite 25-30% Wage Increase

The Vietnamese manufacturing industry is suffering from a severe labor shortage. Every year, more than 100,000 young people leave the country in search of better wages abroad, making it increasingly difficult to find workers in major sectors such as seafood, textiles, and apparel.

The photo is not directly related to the specific content of the article. Photo by EPA Yonhap News.

"130,000–150,000 People Take Jobs Abroad Annually"... Worsening Labor Shortage in Vietnam's Manufacturing Sector

According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) on August 9, data from Vietnam's Ministry of Home Affairs shows that between 130,000 and 150,000 Vietnamese people are seeking employment overseas each year.

As of the end of last year, the number of Vietnamese workers living abroad reached approximately 900,000. The money they remit back home totals 6 to 7 billion dollars (about 8 to 9 trillion won) annually, forming a critical pillar of the national economy.

The problem is that this trend is leading to a labor shortage within Vietnam's own manufacturing sector. According to a report submitted by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) to the Ministry of Finance, labor shortages are becoming a major obstacle to industrial growth in key production areas such as the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

Even though the industry has increased wages by 25 to 30 percent, this has not been effective in retaining existing employees, let alone hiring new ones. The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association also recently stated in a meeting with authorities that the competition to secure labor is becoming increasingly fierce.

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"Rather Go Abroad Than Earn 300,000 Won a Month"... Many Go Into Debt for Job Placement Fees and Education Costs

Experts analyze that regional wage disparities within Vietnam, as well as wage differences between Vietnam and abroad, are factors driving workers to pursue opportunities outside the country.

In particular, job seekers from the central regions—which have high poverty rates—often decide it is better to work abroad in countries like Japan or South Korea and earn more money, rather than work locally for 200 to 250 dollars per month (about 280,000 to 350,000 won) in low-wage positions.

According to private organizations supporting Vietnamese people in Japan, while many workers travel abroad to save money and support their families, a significant number fall into debt due to recruitment broker fees and education costs. This initial debt can expose workers to risks of overwork and exploitation. Additionally, after taxes and living expenses are deducted, the actual amount of money that workers take home often fails to meet expectations, according to analysis.

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