On the afternoon of February 2 (the 5th day of Tet), in front of the gate of Phu Nghia Industrial Park (Chuong My district, Hanoi city), Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chung stopped his car to rest after his journey from his hometown.
Mr. Chung and his wife rode a motorbike carrying their two children and two grandchildren from Ung Hoa district to their home (20 km away) to prepare for the first working day of the new year on February 3. It took the couple 50 minutes to travel from their hometown to their home.
"I took Tet holiday from the 27th of Tet. After Tet holiday in my hometown, we went back a day early to rest and have the best health to prepare for work at the beginning of the year," Chung shared.
The company where Mr. Chung works is located in Phu Nghia Industrial Park (Chuong My district, Hanoi), specializing in the production of motorcycle disc brakes.
The male worker said his basic salary is 6 million VND/month. Including allowances and overtime pay, his total income is about 8-9 million VND/month.
Chung's wife is a primary school teacher. Their combined income is just enough to cover their living expenses. Since they have a house, they save on rent, so life is less difficult.
"In the new year, I hope my health is stable; the company is stable, there are many orders, workers can work overtime, increase income to have a better life,"
According to a reporter's survey, on February 2, most companies in Phu Nghia Industrial Park had not resumed production after the Tet holiday. Many companies will start their first working day on February 3.
Ms. Kieu Thi Hau works at a garment factory in Phu Nghia Industrial Park. She and her husband and three children traveled by motorbike from Ha Nam to the boarding house on February 1. "I arrived early so that my family could have a comfortable day off, as well as to clean the house and prepare to start a new working day on February 3," Ms. Hau shared.
The female worker said that she currently has a basic salary of 6.3 million VND/month after many years of working; a fuel allowance of 600,000 VND/month; and a diligence allowance of 300,000 VND/month. If she does not work overtime, her total income is about 7.5 - 8 million VND/month. Her husband works in the construction industry and has a more stable income.
"In the New Year, like many other workers, I just want to have a stable job, a stable income, and a less difficult life," Ms. Hau shared.
At Thang Long Industrial Park (Dong Anh District, Hanoi), according to records at the pick-up and drop-off point near the industrial park, in the early afternoon there were not many workers getting off the bus. As the afternoon progresses, more workers will get off the bus after a long journey from their hometowns.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien - a worker at Thang Long Industrial Park, from Bac Ninh, said that on the evening of February 2, she just rode her motorbike from her hometown; after only about 2 hours, she will be at her boarding house.
"At 8 a.m. on February 3, the company will start the first working day of the new year. Like many other workers, in the new year, my only wish is to get a raise and increase my allowances to have a better income in 2025. Now that prices are increasing, my income must also increase to ensure my life," Ms. Hien shared.
