Of the total, Taiwan employed 22,865, Malaysia 16,710, the Republic of Korea 10,148, Japan 3, 730, Macau 1,770, Saudi Arabia 1,936, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2,072 and other markets 8,688.

The MoLISA issued decision in August introducing brokerage charges the workers have to pay to export businesses in several markets. It also developed a pilot project on vocational training for guest workers from the fourth quarter of the year until 2010, and 35 labour export businesses will be selected to implement the project.

Investment capital for the project will be sourced from the State budget (VND10 billion), businesses and labourers. Major training areas will be welding, garments, mechanics and hotel services, with courses lasting between 3 and 6 months.

The project aims to send skilled workers abroad, especially to stable and high-income markets.