Moving abroad: What are Vietnamese people looking for?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people from different age groups and social backgrounds continue to pursue legal opportunities to study, work as professionals, or settle permanently overseas.

People naturally strive for a better quality of life. This phenomenon is comparable to natural migration patterns, such as people moving from rural areas to major cities in search of better livelihoods.

It is an undeniable fact that a substantial gap remains between income levels and the value of labor in Vietnam and those in developed countries. According to labor market analysis data on SIGroup's information system, the earnings of a technology engineer, a healthcare specialist, or even a skilled worker in Japan, South Korea, the United States, or Singapore can be many times higher than those of someone in an equivalent professional position in Vietnam. This significant financial advantage not only enables workers to accumulate wealth more quickly and improve their families' economic circumstances back home through remittances, but also provides greater financial security for their own futures as they approach old age.

Beyond salaries alone, professional, transparent working environments that respect individual contributions are also powerful attractions for intellectuals. In major economies, workers gain access to modern management practices, some of the world's most advanced technologies, and opportunities for specialized training. Working in systems that prioritize practical abilities and offer clear career advancement pathways gives young people greater opportunities to prove themselves on the international stage.

Many highly skilled professionals acknowledge that entering the international workplace allows them to move beyond cumbersome administrative barriers and localized workplace relationships, enabling them to fully develop their creativity and core competencies in professional academic and business environments.

For those who are married and have achieved a certain level of financial stability, the primary motivation for moving abroad often stems from their hopes for the next generation. A liberal education system that emphasizes independent thinking and creativity rather than intense exam pressure and academic competition is a major aspiration for many parents seeking better opportunities for their children.

The fact that affluent Vietnamese families are willing to invest enormous sums in sending their children abroad for secondary education or participating in investment-based immigration programs in the United States, Canada, and Australia reflects their desire to secure legitimate access to world-class education systems.

Education in developed countries is designed to prepare students to think flexibly as global citizens. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical knowledge, children are encouraged to learn through practice, participate in community activities, develop physically, and discover their personal interests from an early age. Raising children in a humane and equitable school environment where individual differences are recognized helps reduce academic and psychological pressure on the entire family.

In Vietnam's major cities, air pollution, fine particulate matter, severe traffic congestion, and persistent concerns about food safety have quietly created ongoing psychological stress for residents. As a result, many people aspire to live in clean, green spaces closer to nature, such as those found in Western European and North American countries, where urban planning prioritizes parks and environmentally friendly public transportation.

Alongside the natural environment, the quality of public services and healthcare in the destination country serves as a strong safety net, providing peace of mind in everyday life. In developed countries such as Germany, Canada, and Australia, social welfare extends across broad segments of the population, with universal healthcare systems, unemployment benefits, childcare support, and pension schemes administered through transparent and humane policies.