Vietnam has exceeded its 2024 target for sending workers abroad, with a total of 130,640 employed overseas under contracts in the first 10 months of the year.

This achieved 104% of the annual plan, exceeding the projected number of 125,000 workers, according to a report from Department of Overseas Labor under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The achievement resulted from  the continued stability and large intake of Vietnamese workers in traditional labor markets such as Taiwan (China), Japan, and South Korea. Notably, Japan leads the way with 62,722 workers, followed by Taiwan (China) with 48,533 and South Korea with 10,877. The other labor markets include China, Singapore, and Rumania.

Japan remains the top destination for Vietnamese workers, with the number of Vietnamese working in the country exceeding 600,000, making them the second-largest foreign community in Japan. In 2023 alone, approximately 80,000 Vietnamese workers went to Japan, solidifying its position as the primary source of foreign labor for the country.

Vietnamese workers primarily contribute to manufacturing sectors like mechanics, garment, footwear, and electronics assembly, accounting for up to 80% of the workforce. The remaining workers are employed in construction, agriculture, fisheries, and services.

The ministry is promoting the development of new potential markets, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese workers seeking overseas employment.