Report Intense Competition as Vietnamese Workers Pursue Lucrative South Korean Jobs

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Nearly 23,000 Vietnamese workers are vying for only 3,300 jobs in South Korea's agricultural and manufacturing sectors, where wages can be quadruple those in Vietnam. On May 5, approximately 7,900 candidates from northern Vietnam sat for the Korean proficiency exam at Hanoi's Sona School of Labor Export Training.

 

Additional testing will see 11,700 from central Vietnam taking exams in Da Nang from May 8 to June 11, and 3,200 from the south in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) during May and June.

 

Among the hopefuls is Tran Thi Hang from Bac Giang Province, who traveled to Hanoi by motorbike, arriving two hours early for her exam. With a current income of approximately VND12 million (US$460) per month as a manual laborer, Hang aims to significantly increase her earnings in South Korea.

 

"Once you pass the exam, you have one foot in the door," she remarked. Her husband, who passed the exam last year, is awaiting selection, and the couple prefers agricultural roles to facilitate traveling together.

 

The Korean proficiency exam employs strict anti-cheating protocols, including biometric scanning. Cheating results in disqualification and a four-year ban from retaking the exam, underscoring the high stakes involved.

 

According to Dang Huy Hong, director of the Center of Overseas Labor, over 21,400 applicants are competing for 3,000 manufacturing positions, while 1,400 are contending for 300 agricultural roles.

 

Vietnam aims to send approximately 8,000 workers to South Korea this year through the Employment Permit System (EPS), which has facilitated South Korean companies in recruiting qualified foreign workers since 2004.

 

Candidates are advised to maintain their current employment in Vietnam, as job offers are not guaranteed immediately after passing the proficiency exam.

 

As of October 2024, over 650,000 Vietnamese guest workers were employed in more than 40 countries, contributing around $4 billion annually in remittances. With potential earnings up to $2,000 a month, South Korea is an attractive destination for Vietnamese workers, followed closely by Japan, offering about $1,500.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-05-06