Save money for parents
The North of Ho Chi Minh City is an industrial development area, concentrating a large number of workers. On February 14th (December 27th of the lunar calendar), most businesses took Tet holidays and most workers returned to their hometowns.
Recorded in Thoi Hoa ward, many boarding houses in My Phuoc industrial park have become deserted as workers have returned to their hometowns. On NJ 17 road, Duc Hien boarding house only has 2 rooms left. Mr. Duc Hien (owner of the boarding house) said that this year the jobs and incomes of workers are relatively stable, so during Tet, workers mostly return to their hometowns. Currently, there are only 2 rooms left, 1 room is for workers on duty at the company, and 1 room is for workers selling ornamental plants to earn extra income.
In the residential area near My Phuoc 1 industrial park, most workers have also returned to their hometowns, only a few families remain. Mr. Do Van Kien's family (40 years old, from Phu Tho) has 4 people renting a room of about 25 m2 to stay. Mr. Kien said that due to tight economic conditions, this year he continues to stay in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate Tet.
Mr. Kien said that the income of the couple is only about 15 million VND per month. This Tet holiday, he received a bonus of 1 month's basic salary, and his wife received a bonus of 2 million VND. In addition to the above income, Mr. Kien was also supported by the Ho Chi Minh City Trade Union with 1 million VND.
In recent years, epidemics and business have been difficult, so life is also very hard. During Tet, my family does not dare to go home because travel costs are very expensive. I choose to stay in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate Tet to save costs. During Tet, my family's activities are just like normal days, there are no conditions to wrap banh chung and banh tet. Tet also does not go far because we also want to save costs. Through that, save a little to send back to give to both parents" - Mr. Kien shared.
Save costs to take care of children
In Phu Loi ward, this Tet holiday, there are also about 2,500 workers who do not return to their hometowns. Ms. Duong Thi Hong Hanh - Vice Chairwoman of Phu Loi Ward Trade Union said that in the ward there are about 12,000 workers, of which about 20% stay in the locality to celebrate Tet.
The remaining workers, partly due to family conditions, and partly due to difficulties, want to save costs. Mr. Vo Hoai Nhan's family (31 years old, a garment worker, from Can Tho) also did not return to their hometown, even though their hometown is only 200 km away.
This year, my income is only about 8.5 million VND per month. My income only pays for rent and tuition for my 2 children. This Tet, I choose to stay to save costs to take care of my 2 children's education. I have called home to inform my parents and grandparents that they are sad but also encouraged them to try their best to return this summer" - Mr. Nhan confided.
Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam's family (48 years old, working as a worker at Hai My Shoe Co., Ltd.) also does not have the conditions to return to her hometown for Tet. She shared that it has been 20 years since she returned to her hometown for Tet, she only returns on weekdays to save costs.
Every Tet holiday, seeing colleagues returning to their hometown, I also miss home very much. However, conditions do not allow it, so I cannot return. I calculate that if the whole family returns, the cost of train and bus will be about 16 million VND. Besides, expenses, money to buy gifts, lucky money from both sides. If we stay, our family will only spend about 5-6 million VND. The saved money is to take care of our children's studies" - Ms. Tam shared.
