People travel on Hang Ma Street in Hanoi which is colourfully decorated ahead of the National Day holiday
Tan Phat, 22, a barista in Hanoi, said this is the first time he has decided not to return to his hometown during the holiday. Two weeks earlier, his manager informed staff that they could take two paid days off, or work on September 1 and 2 for quadruple pay. For a new employee like Phat, holiday earnings could reach about VND 800,000 (USD 30) a day.
“Travelling during holidays is costly and crowded, so I decided to stay in the city and work to earn more money,” Phat said. With high living costs and daily income barely covering expenses, he views holiday shifts as a chance to save for emergencies.
Tran Quoc Binh, 23, an office worker in Hanoi, also chose to work instead of travelling home. His company pays double for staff working during the holiday. “The workload is similar, sometimes even lighter. Rather than spend money on a short family trip, I prefer to earn extra income,” he said.
Tran Thi Loan, 22, a customer service worker in the city, made a similar decision. Recently graduated and financially unstable, she saw the holiday as an opportunity. “The main motivation is extra income, but I also believe working on holidays helps me gain experience and build savings,” she said.
Nguyen Nhat Quang, 21, a journalism student at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, also took holiday shifts. He works part-time as a livestream host to cover tuition and living costs. “The new school year is coming with many expenses, so this is a chance to save up,” he said.
Quang added that he is already used to working during major holidays such as Tet and National Reunification Day on April 30. “Balancing work with study and personal time is necessary. I work during holidays so I can focus on school later and still have time to rest,” he said.
