Many Vietnamese workers who have spent years abroad find themselves back in Vietnam facing a very different labour market. Understanding why a sizable share of them consider leaving again can help young people plan realistic career paths at home.

A General Statistics Office (GSO) survey of 3,600 returnees found that 27% want to leave Vietnam again. The same survey showed that 95% end up in manual or low‑skill jobs, while only 5% obtain technical or professional positions.

The survey also revealed that domestic salaries are only 40‑50% of the earnings they enjoyed overseas. Because the majority of these jobs are in craft, service or sales sectors, the earnings gap becomes even more pronounced.

Even though many returnees possess language abilities and some workplace etiquette, they often lack the technical expertise required for higher‑level positions. This mismatch forces them into low‑skill jobs despite their foreign experience, although 72% of respondents said the skills and experience gained abroad are useful for their current work.

In short, low domestic wages, a shortage of suitable technical jobs, and the gap between language proficiency and specialised skills drive a large proportion of Vietnamese returnees to look for another stint abroad. Recognising these factors is essential for anyone navigating Vietnam’s job market.