{
  "id": 15668042,
  "title": "Failing to find work at home, Vietnamese guest workers choose to leave again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/failing-to-find-work-at-home-vietnamese-guest-workers-choose-to-leave",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T23:02:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "VnExpress International",
    "slug": "vnexpress-international",
    "url": "https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/failing-to-find-work-at-home-vietnamese-guest-workers-choose-to-leave-again-5132661.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Young Vietnamese workers faced with the challenge of re-entering the domestic job market often return to their home country. This pattern is observed among recent graduates who initially believed their university degrees would lead to better-paying positions. Many partake in technical training programs, such as Japanese language and auto-body painting skills, only to find themselves unemployed or working in low-skilled manual jobs upon returning. A GSO report from September found that 27% of 3,600 surveyed returnees desire to leave Vietnam again, primarily seeking familiarity, established networks, and higher-paying opportunities. The domestic job market, however, predominantly offers manual labor positions or roles requiring minimal technical qualifications. Only 5% of returnees secure jobs necessitating technical or professional skills. Tuyen, a worker from the central region, found himself in a similar situation. After initially working in South Korea as a Korean language interpreter, he transitioned to manual labor and later returned to Vietnam after a decade abroad. Despite his eligibility for a higher-tier work visa, Tuyen decided to return to Vietnam for his family's well-being. He acknowledges that jobs in Vietnam offer only 40 to 50% of the compensation workers can earn abroad. Many opt to stay overseas to save money, recognizing that returning at a later age might prove challenging. Nguyen Quy, a branch manager at a labor supply agency, notes that foreign work deeply alters young workers' habits, making it difficult to secure an equivalent income upon return. In Japan, a worker's base monthly income averages 180,000 yen (US$1,140), with overtime potentially increasing earnings by 1.2 to 1.5 times. Exhausted from the demanding work schedule, many lack the energy to pursue further education or upskilling. To succeed upon returning to Vietnam, it is advised that workers acquire specialized technical skills instead of merely engaging in general labor. Elder care workers should focus on advanced techniques, manufacturing staff should learn line management, while administrative personnel should enhance their language proficiency.",
  "summary": "Facing wage shocks and a shortage of suitable domestic jobs, many Vietnamese workers are choosing to head back overseas after their initial contracts end.",
  "key_points": [
    "Many Vietnamese workers return home due to unemployment.",
    "27% of returnees seek to leave Vietnam again for better opportunities.",
    "Elder care and manufacturing workers advised to acquire specialized skills."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}