Just over a week before Tet, the atmosphere at Binh Dong Wharf (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City) has become busier than ever. Boats and rafts loaded with fresh flowers and ornamental plants from provinces in the Mekong Delta are arriving to meet the city’s Tet decoration demands. This is also the time when motorbike taxi drivers like Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc (born 1964, residing in District 8) are busy renting out their services to earn extra income for their families.
Transporting Tet Flowers – A Lucrative Income Source
Mr. Phuc has more than 30 years of experience transporting Tet flowers. Each morning, he wakes up early, checks his motorbike taxi, and grabs a quick breakfast before heading to Binh Dong Wharf. With his carefulness and extensive experience, he is trusted by many flower stall owners who call him “Phuc the Motorbike Taxi.”
On average, Mr. Phuc can earn between 1 to 3 million VND per day, depending on the number of customers and the distance traveled. During the 10 days leading up to Tet, he can make over 20 million VND. “Close to Tet, I work until midnight on New Year’s Eve before going home. Some years, the flower stall owner even hires me to transport goods until 2 or 3 AM,” Mr. Phuc shares.
Other Faces in the Tet Flower Transportation Business
Not just Mr. Phuc, many other motorbike taxi drivers also take advantage of this period to earn additional income. Mr. Nguyen Van Sinh (born 1972, residing in District 8) has been driving in the area for over 20 years. He shares, “On regular days, we drive when there are customers and sometimes not; we’re lucky if we make a few hundred thousand VND. Close to Tet, there are many customers hiring us to transport flowers and ornamental plants, so we seize the opportunity to earn as much as possible.”
In addition to motorbike taxis, many people also offer flower transportation services using motorcycles. Mr. Phuoc (born 2000, residing in District 4) explains that after taking Tet leave from his company, he bought a cargo rack for his motorcycle and registered as a flower transporter at Binh Dong Wharf. “On a good day, I can earn between 1 to 2 million VND; on a slower day, I still make 500,000 to 700,000 VND,” Mr. Phuoc says.
Conclusion
The job of transporting Tet flowers not only provides a lucrative income for these hardworking individuals but also contributes to the lively and bustling atmosphere at Tet flower markets. With diligence and perseverance, drivers like Mr. Phuc, Mr. Sinh, and Mr. Phuoc are making significant contributions to ensuring a warm and happy Tet for their families. They are the unsung heroes bringing Tet to every household.
