Leaving your hometown to find work expands your opportunities.

Quang Chieu is a mountainous border commune in Thanh Hoa province, where the lives of the people mainly depend on agriculture , forestry, and small-scale service activities. Local jobs are limited, and income from agriculture is unstable, while the need to improve living standards is increasing. Therefore, working in industrial zones within and outside the province or participating in the overseas labor market is becoming a choice for many residents.

According to statistics, the entire commune has 6,001 inhabitants, of which 3,907 are of working age, accounting for 65.1% of the population. The number of people capable of working is 3,711, equivalent to 95% of the working-age labor force.

From 2020 to the present, approximately 505 workers from Quang Chieu have gone to work outside the locality. Their destinations are quite diverse, ranging from Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Phong, Hanoi to Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City. The main occupations are electronics, garment manufacturing, mechanics, construction, processing, and services.

Within the province, workers are concentrated in the Le Mon Industrial Zone, businesses in Thanh Hoa city, and the Nghi Son Economic Zone. With an average income of approximately 8-12 million VND per person per month, employment outside the province has become an attractive option for many families.

Mr. Vi Van Ngoc, from Muong Xim village, who returned from working abroad in Laos, said that previously, his family mainly relied on agricultural production, resulting in unstable income. After working abroad, his income became more consistent, allowing him to help his family and save for the future.

Besides generating additional income, jobs in industrial zones also help young workers access a modern production environment, develop industrial work habits, and acquire professional skills. These are experiences that they can continue to apply when they return to their hometowns.

Notably, labor export is becoming a popular choice for many families. Each year, Quang Chieu has approximately 25 workers who go abroad to work under contract in South Korea , Japan, and Taiwan (China). In the first six months of 2026 alone, 13 workers from the commune went to South Korea for employment.

The income of workers employed abroad ranges from 25 to 50 million VND per person per month, depending on the market and profession. For households in a mountainous commune still facing many difficulties, this is a significant source of income.

The money sent home by migrant workers is used to renovate houses, invest in production and business, take care of their children's education, and improve their living standards. Therefore, working far from home not only helps a segment of the population increase their income but also creates additional resources for the economic development of their households.

People in Quang Chieu commune have been able to build multi-story houses thanks to overseas labor export.

Mr. Trieu Minh Xiet, Secretary of the Party Committee of Quang Chieu commune, believes that creating jobs and increasing people's income is an important task for the locality.

“For a mountainous border commune, creating jobs and increasing people's income is very important. We are determined to help workers have more opportunities to access suitable jobs, while focusing on vocational training, foreign language skills, and other skills so that people can work safely and effectively,” Mr. Xiết said.

According to Mr. Le Phu Hai, Vice Chairman of the Quang Chieu Commune People's Committee, the demand for jobs among the people, especially young workers, is increasing. Therefore, the commune focuses on understanding the needs and capabilities of each labor group to connect them with businesses, recruitment agencies, and suitable markets.

"We want people to have more job options, but they must find employment through legitimate channels, with full advice on jobs, income, contracts, and related rights. For workers going to work abroad, preparing their skills, language proficiency, and legal knowledge before departure is essential," Mr. Hai said.

To support the people, the local authorities, in coordination with specialized agencies, businesses, and labor supply units, are stepping up efforts to promote job counseling, vocational training, foreign language training, and guidance on completing necessary procedures. Workers are informed about regulations related to contracts, insurance, occupational safety and health, and working abroad under contract.

Vocational training, welcoming back workers.

Labor migration brings clear economic benefits but also poses challenges for local communities. A segment of young, healthy workers with good technical skills leave their hometowns for work elsewhere, leading to labor shortages at certain times during agricultural production.

Meanwhile, the quality of human resources remains an area for improvement. The professional skills and expertise of workers are still limited; the percentage of trained workers with degrees and certificates is not high. A segment of the workforce lacks adequate vocational skills, foreign language proficiency, and legal knowledge before entering the overseas labor market.

The job market is becoming increasingly demanding. Businesses have a great need for workers in electronics, garment manufacturing, mechanics, construction, agricultural and forestry processing, and other technical fields. Besides skills, workers must possess discipline, work skills, and the ability to adapt to the industrial production environment.

Therefore, Quang Chieu district has identified vocational training linked to market demand as a crucial solution to improve the quality of its human resources. Along with vocational training, the locality aims to strengthen foreign language training, vocational skills training, and industrial work ethics training; while also connecting with the Provincial Employment Service Center, recruiting businesses, and organizations that send workers abroad.

The Cay Noi sticky rice fields in Quang Chieu commune provide a high source of income for the local people.

Organizing local job fairs, career counseling conferences, and recruitment events also helps people access official information, have more options, and reduce risks when looking for a job.

Besides sending workers to work elsewhere, the locality is also interested in attracting workers to return. Those who have worked in industrial zones or abroad have advantages in terms of experience, skills, work ethic, and some accumulated capital.

Mr. Ngan Van Boi, from Muong village, is a former worker who worked in South Korea. After working abroad, he gained capital and experience. Upon returning home, he plans to use his savings to invest in production and stabilize his family's life.

According to local guidelines, with support in capital, science and technology, and consumer markets, returning workers can become a core force in developing production and business in their hometowns. Therefore, the commune encourages workers to return after completing their contracts abroad to invest in production and business; while also supporting them in accessing suitable capital, transferring science and technology, and connecting them to markets.

In the long term, Quang Chieu's challenge is not only to create jobs and increase people's income, but also to improve the quality of human resources, expand local employment, and create conditions for workers to return and utilize their experience.

Coming from a border region still facing many difficulties, each worker leaving their hometown to find work carries with them the hope of a better life. Some choose industrial zones, others go to work abroad. Wherever they go, the ultimate goal remains the same: to improve their income, take care of their families, and build a future.

If well-equipped with professional skills, foreign language proficiency, technical skills, and legal knowledge, labor migration will not only be a departure but also a process of accumulating resources. Upon returning with capital, skills, and experience, today's workers can continue to create new opportunities for themselves and their homeland.

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