After a year of hard work, Ms. Pham Thi Tham (from Lac Son, Hoa Binh) is enjoying peaceful moments with her family. This rare opportunity allows her to reflect on her 8-year journey as a factory worker away from home, working at an electronics company in Thang Long Industrial Zone (Hanoi).
A Journey of 8 Years Away from Home
Due to the lack of industrial zones in her hometown, eight years ago, Ms. Tham and her husband decided to move to Hanoi in search of more stable income. While her husband works at a company in the city center, Ms. Tham took a job as a factory worker. The first days at work in the cleanroom, wearing stifling protective gear and standing for 8 hours straight, left her legs aching. However, she gradually adapted to the repetitive nature of her daily tasks.
Over the years, her work has been affected by the pandemic and economic downturns. However, since mid-2024, the factory has stabilized, and orders have returned regularly. Working overtime despite exhaustion brings her joy as her income improves. Her basic salary alone is insufficient to support her family in Hanoi. They live in a cramped 20-square-meter room with her mother-in-law, her husband, herself, and their young child. Each month, the family spends 2 million VND on rent and utilities, accounting for one-fourth of her income.
New Year’s Wishes
This year, Ms. Tham received a Tet bonus of 8 million VND, helping her provide gifts and treats for her family during Tet. This holiday is a rare time when she can spend quality time with her children and family. In the new year, her greatest wish is for the safety and well-being of her family, and for her work to go smoothly. She also hopes that the company will continue to receive more orders, providing additional jobs and improved income for workers.
Efforts for the Family
Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan (39 years old), a worker at Sumitomo Heavy Industries Vietnam in Thang Long Industrial Zone, Hanoi, shares similar wishes. This year, she has less to worry about as she was able to travel home for Tet on a free bus. In previous years, she and her husband had to queue early to secure seats on the long journey back to her husband’s hometown in Thanh Hoa. With four children, each trip home is filled with anxiety.
With her modest wages, Ms. Xuan has diligently saved and managed to provide for her children. This Tet, she used her bonus to buy new clothes for her children and gifts for her parents. For the new year, she hopes for better wages and bonuses from the company, ensuring both she and her husband remain healthy and capable of continuing their work to raise their children.
Wage and Bonus Situation for Workers
According to reports from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, wages and bonuses for workers have increased. In 2024, the average monthly wage reached 8.88 million VND, a 4% increase from 2023. The Tet bonus for the year 2025 is expected to be 7.72 million VND per person, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. Foreign-invested enterprises offer higher bonuses, averaging 8.24 million VND per person.
The efforts and wishes of these female workers far from home are testament to their silent dedication. May the new year bring them and their families many opportunities and happiness.
