High-income labor market
According to Acting Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management Vu Truong Giang, statistics show that in the first 10 months of 2025, the total number of Vietnamese workers working in Korea was 9,996.
Mr. Vu Truong Giang assessed: Korea is a high-income labor market, attracting many Vietnamese workers. Currently, nearly 97,000 Vietnamese workers are working in this market with an average income of 1,500 - 1,800 USD/month.
The Employment Permit Program (EPS - E9 visa) is a labor cooperation program between Vietnam and Korea implemented since 2004. This is the largest, most stable program and has a clear socio-economic impact. Every year, Korea receives about 10,000 - 12,000 Vietnamese workers.
To date, about 143,000 workers have gone to work in Korea under this program and there are currently 42,500 people working in Korea, in the industries of manufacturing and processing, agriculture, fishery, construction, shipbuilding, and forestry. Workers are protected by the strict legal system of Korea; average income of 1,500 - 2,000 USD/month; workers are well-trained before leaving the country.
He also mentioned the Close-to- Board Fishing Ship crew Program (visa E10) which has been implemented since 2007. Workers work through labor supply contracts signed between Vietnamese service enterprises and crew management agents in Korea. There are currently about 10,000 Vietnamese workers working in Korea on fishing vessels near the Korean coast.
However, Director of the Overseas Labor Center Dang Huy Hong said that, whether operating under a non-profit model or a service business, all units are facing common challenges: fierce competition from countries sending workers in the region such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia... These countries are currently having support policies on foreign language training and vocational skills for workers working abroad.
Although Vietnamese workers are considered diligent, intelligent, quick to take up work and integrate into the social life of the host country. However, the foreign language proficiency, working style, sense of discipline, and compliance with labor contracts of employees are issues that many labor receiving companies have opinions on" - he said.
E9 is a key pillar in Vietnam - Korea labor cooperation
Forecasting the situation of the Korean labor market in the coming time, the Acting Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management emphasized: Cooperation in sending E9 workers is a key pillar in Vietnam - Korea labor cooperation, so it is necessary to continue to maintain, expand the industry and strengthen propaganda and mobilization work for workers.
On the other hand, the E7 Professional and Technical qualifications Labor Program (E7 visa) needs to be oriented towards developing training - reception linkages, cooperation between businesses of the two countries in vocational training as well as cooperation between service businesses and vocational training schools to prepare labor resources to meet requirements.
Meanwhile, the seasonal labor program (E8 visa) is a new direction, which needs to be closely monitored to ensure labor rights and avoid illegal residence after the contract expires, moving towards legalizing regulations for this type of labor.
"For the E10 Program, it is necessary to strengthen labor selection, training as well as propaganda to ensure that the right crew members are sent to Korea as well as returned home after the contract expires" - Mr. Vu Truong Giang said.
Korea will increase the quota for receiving Vietnamese workers
Speaking at a meeting with President Luong Cuong on October 30 in Korea, President Lee Jae Myung emphasized that South Korea will continue to consider Vietnam an important strategic partner in economic, trade and investment cooperation; affirmed that he will increase quotas and expand Vietnam's labor receiving industries.
