Up to 71 percent of Vietnamese laborers working in other Southeast Asian countries are looking to relocate back home within the next five years, according to a survey conducted by recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.

The newly-released survey conducted on 500 Vietnamese laborers in July revealed that the percentage is higher than that of three other surveyed Southeast Asian countries, namely Indonesia (60 percent), the Philippines (62 percent), and Singapore (58 percent).

Global economic fluctuations and the steady development of various sectors in Vietnam have bolstered the determination to return of a high number of overseas Vietnamese.

Among those surveyed who believe that economic factors have a positive impact on them, a staggering 66 percent said that they were confident in Vietnam’s economic stability and growth, which was the foremost reason behind their choice to return.

Meanwhile, the government’s recent policies aimed at promoting startup and business activities have motivated the return of overseas Vietnamese. 

These policies contributed to creating a dynamic and competitive economic environment, opening up opportunities for overseas Vietnamese to prove themselves and contribute to the development of their homeland.

The ratio of high salaries to low living costs in Vietnam is also an appealing factor for 44 percent of the surveyed individuals who believe that returning to Vietnam would enable them to have a more comfortable and higher quality life.

Loan, 35, a Vietnamese freelancer in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur, said she was striving to complete her plan to return to Vietnam by the end of next year, adding that it is necessary to prepare money, English language, qualifications, and working experiences before the return.

The local economy has been thriving over the past few years, while the living costs in Malaysia are high, Loan added.

Robert Walters’ survey also showed that several other key factors enhanced the desire for homecoming of overseas Vietnamese.

In particular, 62 percent of the respondents said that emotional, social, and cultural connections to Vietnam urged them to return, up 13 percent from that in the previous survey conducted in 2021. 

Meanwhile, 40 percent said they wanted to come back to be closer to and conveniently care for their families in Vietnam.

Trong Hoang, a Vietnamese software engineer working in Singapore, said the COVID-19 pandemic helped him realize that staying close to his family is important.

The work-from-home trend helps him do many jobs at the same time, raising incomes, wherever he is.

“After three more years, when I save an expected amount of money and get another engineer degree, I will return to Vietnam to live close to my family while still working for groups in Singapore.”

The survey’s results will help attract talents for domestic firms, at least in the next five years.

The survey also highlighted job-related factors, salary, and benefits that overseas Vietnamese laborers are concerned about. 

Regarding salaries, 27 percent of the surveyed individuals said they would agree to consider a 30 percent or less reduction. Meanwhile, 26 percent wanted a salary corresponding with their experiences and roles as well as the general standards of the labor market.

However, 22 percent of the respondents said the salary must match their current pay after conversion and 19 percent of others wanted higher salaries.

After returning to Vietnam, overseas Vietnamese wish to engage in appealing projects and gain practical experiences and specific job responsibilities.

They will give their priority to enterprises with attractive corporate culture and leadership style that boost talent development, and considerable promotion opportunities.

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