The best emigration options for Vietnamese citizens in 2026 are: 1) Japan (largest Vietnamese diaspora abroad at 520,000+, SSW and Technical Intern visas), 2) South Korea (Employment Permit System E-9, 75,000+ workers), 3) Taiwan (180,000+ workers, manufacturing demand), 4) Canada (Express Entry, growing community), and 5) Australia (Subclass 482/189, IT demand). Japan absorbs the most Vietnamese workers with 14 SSW sectors. For long-term settlement, Canada and Australia offer the best PR pathways.
Top 5 Destinations for Vietnamese in 2026
#1 Japan — 8.4/10
Why: 520,000+ Vietnamese residents (largest source), SSW in 14 sectors, TITP pipeline
Key visas: SSW Type 1 & 2, Technical Intern (TITP), Engineer/Specialist
Cost: JPY 40,000 ($270) • Processing: 3-6 months • Cost of living: €1,350/mo
PR pathway: Via SSW Type 2 or 10-year residency
#2 South Korea — 7.6/10
Why: 75,000+ Vietnamese workers, EPS test in Vietnam, manufacturing and agriculture demand
Key visas: E-9 (Employment Permit), E-7 (Skilled), D-10 (Job Seeker)
Cost: $300-500 • Processing: 3-6 months • Cost of living: €1,000/mo
PR pathway: F-2 points-based residency after 5yr
#3 Canada — 7.2/10
Why: Growing Vietnamese-Canadian community (240,000+), IT and engineering demand
Key visas: Express Entry FSW, PNP, LMIA Work Permit
Cost: CAD $2,150 • Processing: 6-12 months • Cost of living: €2,100/mo
PR pathway: Direct PR via Express Entry
#4 Australia — 7.0/10
Why: 300,000+ Vietnamese-Australians, healthcare and IT on skills lists
Key visas: Subclass 482, 189, 485 (Graduate)
Cost: AUD $1,455-4,640 • Processing: 1-6 months • Cost of living: €2,200/mo
PR pathway: Via 186 or direct PR (189)
#5 Germany — 6.8/10
Why: 200,000+ Vietnamese-German community, IT engineering demand, low visa fee
Key visas: Skilled Worker, Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), ICT Card
Cost: EUR 75 • Processing: 1-3 months • Cost of living: €1,500/mo
PR pathway: Settlement permit after 4yr
Asian Destination Deployment (2025 Figures)
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are the primary deployment destinations for Vietnamese workers, absorbing over 75% of all overseas Vietnamese labour.
| Country | Workers | Avg Salary | Contract | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 520,000+ | $1,700-2,800/mo | 3-5 years (SSW) | 15-33% |
| South Korea | 75,000+ | $1,500-2,200/mo | 3 years (E-9) | 6-15% |
| Taiwan | 180,000+ | $800-1,200/mo | 3 years | 6-18% |
| Malaysia | 50,000+ | $400-800/mo | 1-3 years | 0-3% |
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Get Your Free VerdictFrequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest country for Vietnamese to emigrate to?
Japan is the most accessible due to the massive TITP and SSW pipeline. Vietnam is Japan's top source country for Technical Interns (520,000+ residents). The process is well-established through licensed Vietnamese sending organisations. South Korea's EPS programme with its standardised Korean language test (EPS-TOPIK) is also structured and accessible.
Can Vietnamese work in Europe?
Yes. Germany has a 200,000+ Vietnamese community and actively recruits skilled workers. The Skilled Worker visa (EUR 75) and Opportunity Card allow IT professionals and engineers to relocate. Czech Republic and Poland also have growing Vietnamese communities. Language requirements apply: German B1 for most roles.
How much does it cost to emigrate from Vietnam?
Japan TITP: VND 80-150M ($3,200-6,000) through licensed agencies. Japan SSW: VND 50-100M ($2,000-4,000). South Korea EPS: VND 30-50M ($1,200-2,000). Canada: VND 60-120M ($2,400-4,800). Agency fees vary; use only DOLAB-licensed agencies to avoid scams.
Is Japan better than South Korea for Vietnamese workers?
Japan: higher salaries ($1,700-2,800/mo vs $1,500-2,200/mo), larger Vietnamese community (520K vs 75K), more visa categories (14 SSW sectors). South Korea: shorter contracts (3yr vs 5yr), more transparent EPS system, lower agency costs. Both offer paths to residency; Japan's SSW Type 2 is more flexible.
What salary can Vietnamese earn in Japan?
SSW workers: JPY 250,000-350,000/month ($1,700-2,400). Technical Interns: JPY 200,000-280,000/month ($1,350-1,900). Engineers/IT: JPY 350,000-500,000/month ($2,400-3,400). After taxes and living costs (EUR 1,350/mo), typical monthly savings are $400-800.
Do I need to go through DOLAB to work abroad?
Yes. The Department of Overseas Labour (DOLAB) under MOLISA regulates all overseas labour deployment from Vietnam. Use only DOLAB-licensed sending organisations. Verify licence status at dolab.gov.vn. Maximum service fees are regulated by destination country agreements.
Can Vietnamese get permanent residency abroad?
Japan: permanent residency after 10 years (5 years via SSW Type 2 or Highly Skilled Professional). South Korea: F-2 points-based residency after 5 years. Canada: direct PR via Express Entry. Australia: PR via Subclass 189/190. Germany: settlement permit after 4 years. Taiwan: APRC after 5 years of legal residence.
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified April 2026. Costs and processing times are indicative and should be confirmed with the relevant embassy or immigration authority.