3 scenarios
Mr. Bui Dinh Duyen - Director of Quang Binh Garment Company Limited (Viet Hung Ward, Hanoi) said that this year, his company has finalized a 10% increase in Tet bonuses compared to 2025. With more than 500 employees, the total cost of the 2026 Tet bonus will increase to more than 500 million VND compared to the Lunar New Year 2025.
"In 2025, the company will give an average Tet bonus of about 10 million VND/person, this year the board of directors has finalized an average increase in Tet bonuses of 10%, depending on each department, some places will increase by about 15%, some places will increase by 5% based on specific production and business efficiency. To ensure other benefits for workers are not affected, we try to stretch collections, cut unnecessary purchases to arrange enough money to increase Tet bonuses," said Mr. Duyen.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung, a worker at a candy company in Ha Dong ward (Hanoi), was unhappy because the company had announced early that the 2026 Tet bonus would not increase compared to 2025.
"3 years ago, the company fixed to keep a Tet bonus of 5 million VND in cash and a gift package as a company product worth 500,000 VND. This year we have many overtime shifts due to increased orders, I thought I would increase the Tet bonus but I didn't expect the bonus to remain the same," said Ms. Nhung.
Unlucky like Mr. Duyen or Ms. Nhung's company employees, Mr. Doan Van Hai - a worker at a plastic manufacturing company in Phuong Liet ward (Hanoi) was quite sad when the Tet bonus in 2026 will be reduced by 50% compared to 2025.
Mr. Hai said that for many years, his company has had a tradition of giving Tet bonuses equivalent to 1 month's average salary for each employee. Therefore, every year he has a Tet bonus of nearly 15 million VND. "This year, the leader said the bonus was reduced by 50% due to a lot of inventory and debts that had not been fully recovered. Although workers were promised that if the company collected all the debts in the first quarter of 2026, it would provide them with an additional amount, we only hope to have money to spend during Tet. If January had a bonus, it would not be meaningful," said Mr. Hai sadly.
Speaking with Lao Dong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong - former Director of the Institute of Social Labor Science said that the 2026 Tet bonus can take place in 3 scenarios: Slight increase of 36%; sharp increase of 812% and stagnation or decrease of 03%. In the 3 scenarios, Ms. Huong emphasized that scenario 2 is the most "beautiful", showing that the "health" of the enterprise is stable again.
Adding that, Ms. Huong said that the average Tet bonus in 2026 is likely to increase but not increase " case-by-case" like in the 2024-2025 period.
Should announce Tet bonuses early
Talking to Lao Dong, Mr. Le Quang Trung - former Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Employment said that in recent years, there have been extremely difficult periods, but many businesses have tried to create conditions to give Tet bonuses to employees. In particular, many businesses announce Tet bonuses early, creating conditions for employees to feel secure and excited at work, while affirming the company's concern for employees. Many businesses choose suitable forms to give Tet bonuses to employees, including in cash and in kind.
I think businesses should announce Tet bonuses early, including the upcoming New Year, to show their appreciation for their employees. Based on the socio-economic situation this year, I personally predict that the 2026 Tet bonus will be higher than in 2025, said Mr. Trung.
Mr. Trung also proposed that in addition to working workers, the authorities should consider paying attention to other groups of people during Tet, especially those who have retired. The gifts for them can be taken from the pension insurance fund, both showing concern for retirees and encouraging groups of workers who have contributed to society.
"The pension insurance fund should reserve a part of its budget to have Tet money for retirees because this is the wish and concern of many people. The gift is very meaningful, showing concern for a special object, Mr. Trung stated his opinion.
