Low Tet bonuses stop workers from going home

The average bonus given to Vietnamese workers for Tet (Lunar New Year), a week-long festival that falls at the end of this month, is VND4.9 million (US$218) per worker, almost equivalent to a month’s average salary and 96% of last year’s level of VND5.1 million (US$227).

The metric was announced recently by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

However, some workers’ bonuses are creating real holiday tension.

Ta Thi Thuy, a garment worker in the southern province of Binh Duong, will not return to her hometown in the central province of Thanh Hoa to enjoy Tet this year as her bonus is simply too small for her to afford the trip.

Photo for illustration. VNA
Photo for illustration. VNA

Thuy’s company, part of the Song Than Industrial Zone, has not officially announced its bonus for the upcoming festival. However, rumour has it that the bonus will equal to last year’s: it will be a month’s salary, VND4 million.

Thuy broke her leg recently and all of her savings were spent on hospital fees. With low Tet bonus, she was afraid that she would not have enough funds to come back to her hometown.

“Besides funds for travelling, I must buy presents for my family and relatives that could equal my salary of several months,” she said. “I’d love to return home but I would run out of money after the festival, so I will not come back my hometown.

Nguyen Thi Hanh, worker in a garment company in the northern port city of Hai Phong, received an even lower Tet bonus than Thuy.

“After a hard working year, my company rewards us only VND100,000 (US$4) and the money is too humble compared to what we had done,” said Hanh.

At present prices, Hanh believes that the Tet bonus is only enough for  her breakfast some days.

The highest Tet bonus recorded for this year was VND1 billion (US$44,400). The highest figure last year was for a member of an enterprise funded by foreign direct investment in the northern province of Hai Duon g – VND624 million (US$27,700).

The lowest Tet bonus recorded for this year was in a private enterprise in the southern province of Ben Tre and several FDI businesses in Thai Binh, Tay Ninh and Hai Duong provinces – VND50,000 (US$2.2) per worker.

Tong Van Lai, deputy director of the Labour and Salary Department under the MoLISA, said that workers with low Tet bonus or no bonus were in enterprises with ineffective production.

“The ministry issued guidelines to enterprises in different parts of the country to join with trade unions and find funding sources for financial support for workers over Tet,” he said.

Phi Ngoc Trinh, Deputy Director of the Ho Guom Garment JSC, said that the company gave annual Tet bonuses to its workers to ensure that everyone could come back to their hometown to enjoy the festival.

The bonus often equals a month’s salary and could be more if company incomes are strong, he said.

Former MoLISA Deputy Minister Pham Minh Huan said that every enterprise took care of their workers in the Tet festival, because they develop best with healthy and happy workers.

Businesses with strong incomes give proper bonus to their workers, and only a small amount of struggling enterprises five their workers low bonus or no bonus, he added.

VNA

Other News

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

The Vietnamese team won one Champion title, four First Runner-up awards, three Second Runner-up awards, 42 gold medals, 83 silver medals, 70 bronze medals and two consolation prizes at the 2026 International Finals of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad Open Contest (AIMO) held in Hanoi on August 2-5.

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch.

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

From a country where more than 50% of the population lived below the poverty line in the early 1990s, Vietnam has reduced its poverty rate to just 2.95% today. This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of socio-economic development policies, but also Vietnam’s ability to translate growth into tangible opportunities for its people, steadily realizing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Backed by more than 4.2 billion VND (161,000 USD) from the State budget, the programme aims to strengthen children's Vietnamese communication skills before they begin primary school, helping them integrate more smoothly into the classroom and improve learning outcomes from the outset.

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Across Ha Tinh and Nghe An, maintenance teams conduct inspections day and night, using thermal cameras and drones to detect potential faults without interrupting electricity supply. Their work helps ensure stable power supply for businesses as the region accelerates development in line with the Government's economic growth targets.

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

A key task is to formulate a support scheme for low-income residents to replace ageing motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet emission standards and pose a high risk of pollution. It will also propose funding to provide free first-time emission testing for motorcycles and mopeds across the city.

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

The committee commended Vietnam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies. It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kinh Thien Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Total economic losses were estimated at about 255 billion VND (nearly 9.7 million USD), with Lai Chau accounting for the largest share of the damage with 190 billion VND, followed by Son La with 46.04 billion VND, Lao Cai with 16.7 billion VND, and Dien Bien with 2.3 billion VND.