Vietnam looks to increase labour export to European markets

Vietnamese labourers wait for boarding at an airport. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Expanding access to high-income labour import markets brings new opportunities for Vietnamese workers who hope for a better life for them and their families in the Year of the Snake.

European markets such as Germany, Poland, Greece, and Romania are opening new “doors” for Vietnamese labourers, promising attractive salaries ranging from 50 - 100 million VND (1,960 – 3,920 USD) per month and offering opportunities to work in modern and professional environments.

In recent years, Vietnam has sent nearly 160,000 labourers abroad annually. Currently, around 700,000 Vietnamese workers are employed across more than 30 sectors in 40 countries and territories. They are recognised for their youth, diligence, and intelligence, gaining increasing trust from international employers.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment signed an MoU on cooperation in mobility of experts, skilled workers and seasonal labourers from Vietnam to Finland. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Vietnamese workers now have more options for overseas employment. In addition to traditional markets like Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Taiwan (China), European countries are opening up more opportunities for Vietnamese workers.

Vietnam's agreements with the EU such as the bilateral free trade agreement (EVFTA) have contributed to promoting labour cooperation between the two sides. Employment opportunities in European countries are expanding, particularly in sectors like health care, technology, construction, logistics, and agriculture. These markets offer not only attractive wages but also good benefits.

So far, Germany, Romania and, most recently, Poland have signed agreements on labour cooperation with Vietnam.

During his visit to Vietnam after a bilateral labour cooperation deal was inked, German Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil stated that the labour shortage will be a significant issue for his country in the future, so it needs a large number of foreign workers. He added that Vietnam, with its young population, holds great potential in terms of human resources.

In January 2025, the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in mobility of experts, skilled workers and seasonal labourers from Vietnam to Finland.

Minister for Employment at the Finnish ministry Arto Olavi Satonen said Vietnam is one of the potential labour markets for Finland, adding that his country pledges to support employers and professionals to ensure smooth and successful recruitment processes.

Maintaining ethical standards and smooth recruitment processes remain top priorities for Finland, he stated, noting that the European nation will continue to be a trusted partner in international recruitment while offering a high quality of life and diverse career opportunities for Vietnamese workers.

The MoLISA said it is boosting the signing of agreements and MoUs on labour cooperation to create a legal framework and create more job chances for Vietnamese workers in Europe. It is currently negotiating an MoU on labour cooperation with Greece.

MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan affiemed that sending workers abroad is aimed at developing human resources and improving their skills.

He held that there remains huge room for labour cooperation between Vietnam and the EU. Most EU countries now need to recruit more workers to address labour shortages caused by an aging population.

With Vietnam's young population, its workers being intelligent, hardworking, and eager to learn, and EU countries' growing demand for foreign labourers, labour cooperation will continue to be promoted, he said./.