Vietnam sent 23,195 workers overseas under labor contracts in the first two months of this year, equivalent to 18.56 per cent of the annual target, figures from the Department of Overseas Labor at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs show.

In February alone, more than 10,500 workers were sent abroad, including 2,789 female workers.

Japan continued to be the most popular destination during the period, with over 8,210 workers, followed by Taiwan (China) with 1,443 workers and South Korea 253 workers.

There are over 500 enterprises nationwide licensed to send workers to more than 40 countries and territories.

More than 1.4 million workers have been sent abroad under labor contracts since 2010.

On average, 120,000-143,000 workers head abroad each year.