As the weak evening sun fades, Ms. Tạ Thị Như Ý (38 years old, from Quôc Oai District, Hanoi) hurries back to her small rented room after a long day of work at the Bac Thang Long Industrial Zone. After nearly 20 years as a factory worker, her family still lives in a cramped space in Hải Bối Commune, Đông Anh District, Hanoi.
Tonight’s dinner for her family of five is special, thanks to stir-fried pork with mushrooms sent by her brother-in-law and stewed turnips with bone broth—a rare treat before the Tet holiday. “Despite the challenges, I always try to ensure nutritious meals for everyone so that my children can study well and my husband and I have enough strength to work,” Ms. Ý shares.
Tight Budgets and Careful Spending
Working as a factory worker for nearly 20 years, Ms. Ý’s current monthly salary ranges between 12-13 million VND. Her husband earns around 7-8 million VND per month. With this combined income, maintaining a life in the capital city of Hanoi is a tough challenge.
“The rent for our rented room is over 2 million VND each month, not to mention electricity and water bills. Our eldest child is in ninth grade and needs extra English classes and exam preparation, which adds significantly to our expenses. Sometimes, I think about sending the kids back to the countryside to ease financial pressure, but I feel sorry because they are already accustomed to school and friends here,” she says.
To save money, Ms. Ý often visits her hometown to buy rice, vegetables, and other food items to stock up in the city. Occasionally, her sister or relatives help by sending eggs and chicken to improve their meals.
The Bustle of Pre-Tet Days
As Tet approaches in 2025, the atmosphere at Ms. Ý’s dormitory becomes busier than ever. Everyone is rushing to finish year-end tasks, eagerly looking forward to returning home to celebrate with their families.
“It’s about 60km from my dormitory to my hometown. Every Tet, my husband and I each ride a motorcycle, carrying our children and belongings. Despite all the expenses, seeing the joy on our children’s faces when they meet their grandparents makes all the fatigue disappear,” Ms. Ý says.
Mr. Giáp’s Story: Striving for His Children’s Future
Living in the same dormitory, Mr. Lê Xuân Giáp (41 years old, from Hà Tĩnh) has been working as a factory worker for nearly 20 years. He met his wife at work, and they now have two sons. However, this year, fewer overtime shifts have reduced their family’s income significantly.
“Living in Hanoi with a monthly income of around 20 million VND, we must budget carefully. Otherwise, we won’t be able to cover all expenses,” Mr. Giáp shares.
He explains that previously, his eldest son attended a private school with tuition fees of 3-4 million VND per month, plus additional costs for language learning. After much consideration, he decided to transfer his son to a public school to alleviate financial stress.
“This Tet, my wife and I will get a 10-day break, so we plan to split our time between both sets of parents. We’ll visit our hometown in Hà Tĩnh for 5 days and then go to Nghệ An to see my wife’s family. Although travel and gift expenses are significant, family reunions are rare, so we look forward to it,” Mr. Giáp says.
Hope for a Brighter New Year
Life as a factory worker is far from easy, but for Mr. Giáp and Ms. Ý, their greatest happiness lies in watching their children grow. Despite modest incomes, they hope for a more stable new year with better job prospects and good health to continue raising their children.
“As factory workers, buying a house in Hanoi is out of reach. But if we save enough, we will build a small house in the countryside where we can retire someday,” Mr. Giáp expresses.
Conclusion
The lives of factory workers in industrial zones are filled with challenges, especially during the festive Tet period. Nevertheless, with love for their families and constant effort, they remain hopeful for a brighter future. It is hoped that social support policies will assist families like Ms. Ý and Mr. Giáp in overcoming difficulties and building a more stable life.
References: dantri.com.vn
