Vietnamese Returnees Struggle to Find Jobs, Prompting Many to Go Abroad Again

Vietnamese workers who have completed technical trainee programs or factory contracts abroad frequently return home only to face a domestic labor market dominated by low-skill, low-pay positions. A General Statistics Office survey of 3,600 returnees revealed that 27% intend to leave Vietnam again, drawn by better pay and established networks in their former host countries. Most returnees—95%—secure manual or craft jobs, while merely 5% obtain roles requiring professional qualifications.

Personal accounts, including Lam’s cycle of training in Japan, studying IT, and working in a Japanese restaurant before returning to Japan, and Tuyen’s year in a Korean electronics firm followed by a move to a recycling workshop, highlight the wage gap and limited career advancement at home. Although 72% say their overseas experience is useful, many either re-migrate or start small businesses, underscoring the structural challenges in Vietnam’s job market.