Preserving the Lunar New Year spirit for workers.

Along with year-end bonuses, many businesses, localities, and trade unions have simultaneously implemented practical activities to care for workers, helping them alleviate worries and have a warmer Tet holiday.

Workers are happy with the Tet Construction Program organized in collaboration with Nhan Dan Newspaper. Photo: BAO LONG

As production enters its final stages, the issue of Tet bonuses continues to be a major concern for millions of workers. "It's not just supplemental income; Tet bonuses also carry a symbolic meaning, representing the company's recognition of the efforts made throughout the year."

The joy of receiving Tet bonuses.

Having worked at May 10 Corporation for over 7 years, Mr. Tran Van Hoa, a shirt sewing line worker, said that this year he received a bonus equivalent to one month's salary. After a year of continuous overtime to meet order deadlines, this bonus helps him and his family ease the financial pressure at the end of the year. "It's not meant to be extravagant, but it's enough to feel that all the hard work of the year has been recognized," Mr. Hoa said.

Similarly, Ms. Pham Thi Thu Ha, a worker in the product finishing department, said that a Tet bonus equivalent to one month's salary is a great source of motivation for employees. In the months leading up to Tet, the workload increases, and workers have to work overtime continuously, but everyone tries their best to complete their tasks.

According to Mr. Than Duc Viet, General Director of May 10 Corporation, in 2025 the company's production activities recorded many positive signs with import and export turnover reaching 328 million USD. Of which, exports reached over 200 million USD, revenue reached 5,136 billion VND. The company's profit reached 212 billion VND, and the average income of employees reached over 11 million VND per month.

The increase in Tet bonuses and expansion of welfare benefits are seen as well-deserved rewards for workers after a year of hard work, and also as an important solution to retain skilled workers and attract young workers in the context of increasingly difficult recruitment in the garment industry. Besides bonuses, May 10 also implements many activities to care for the spiritual well-being of its employees, such as organizing theatrical performances, making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), Tet markets, and arranging transportation for workers to return to their hometowns and back to the capital after the holiday.

With less than two weeks until the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the Tet bonus landscape in many localities across the country continues to record record figures. According to a report by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Internal Affairs, with 3,802 businesses and nearly 700,000 workers participating in the survey, the highest Tet bonus this year reached over 1.8 billion VND per person, belonging to a foreign-invested enterprise (FDI). Just a short time ago, the highest New Year's bonus recorded was over 1.1 billion VND per person.

In many other localities, high Tet bonuses were also recorded. Dong Nai reported that domestic private enterprises had the highest bonuses, reaching 840 million VND per person, while FDI enterprises reached 700 million VND per person. In Hanoi , the highest bonus belonged to domestic private enterprises with over 614 million VND per person. In Bac Ninh, FDI enterprises recorded the highest bonus of 400 million VND per person. In Khanh Hoa and Da Nang, although there were differences in bonus levels, FDI enterprises still held the leading position in terms of the highest bonuses.

These figures show a bright spot in this year's Tet bonus picture, reflecting the efforts of businesses in the context of a challenging economy , and providing additional motivation for employees ahead of the new year.

This year's Tet bonus picture shows many bright spots, reflecting the efforts of businesses and social organizations amidst challenging economic conditions. Photo: THANH DAT

Activities to support and care for workers.

Conversely, the picture of Tet bonuses in 2026 (Year of the Horse) still shows many somber aspects. In many localities, the lowest bonus recorded was only 50,000 to 100,000 VND per person. In Da Nang, although FDI enterprises had the highest bonus of up to 368 million VND per person, the lowest bonus only ranged from 50,000 to 150,000 VND per person. Similarly, in Khanh Hoa, the lowest bonus was 500,000 VND per person, while in Lam Dong, this figure was only 50,000 VND per person in FDI enterprises.

The significant disparity in Tet bonuses clearly reflects the prolonged difficulties in the production and business operations of enterprises. According to statistics, in 2025, 114,400 businesses temporarily suspended operations, a 14.3% increase compared to the previous year; 76,900 businesses ceased operations pending dissolution procedures, a 0.9% increase; and 35,900 businesses completed dissolution procedures, a staggering 66.1% increase. On average, nearly 18,900 businesses withdrew from the market each month, thereby creating considerable pressure on employment and income for workers.

In this context, many localities have proactively implemented activities to support and care for workers during Tet (Lunar New Year). Mr. Le Dinh Hung, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi City Federation of Labor, said that the city is implementing a series of programs with the motto "All union members and workers have a happy Tet." The focus is on the programs "Tet Reunion - Spring Gratitude to the Party" and "Trade Union Tet Market - Spring 2026," providing thousands of gift packages, "0-dong" stalls, discount shopping vouchers, and many cultural activities to serve workers.

Notably, Hanoi plans to provide support of 1 million VND per person to approximately 60,000 union members and workers in difficult circumstances, prioritizing those who have experienced job losses, reduced income, lack of Tet bonuses, serious illnesses, or who have to stay and work during Tet.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the city continues to implement various programs to care for workers during Tet (Lunar New Year), focusing on supporting those with low incomes, those who have lost or are underemployed, and those who cannot afford to return home for Tet. Key activities include giving Tet gifts, providing free bus tickets to help workers return home, and organizing a "Trade Union Tet Market" with stalls offering stable prices, deep discounts, and "zero-cost" stalls for disadvantaged workers.

In Binh Duong, the province is focusing resources on supporting workers in industrial zones, the group most affected by production and business difficulties. Besides money and Tet gifts, the province maintains free bus services to transport migrant workers back to the central, Central Highlands, and northern provinces, and organizes cultural and artistic activities to create a warm Tet atmosphere for workers remaining in the locality. Meanwhile, in Dong Nai, Tet care for workers is linked to the goal of stabilizing labor relations. In addition to providing bus and train tickets and Tet gifts for disadvantaged workers, the locality also coordinates with businesses to organize "Tet Reunion" programs and spring gatherings for workers, helping them feel secure returning to work after the Tet holiday.

For businesses, caring for employees is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic choice. According to Mr. Lai Hoang Duong, Director of Thanh Giong Communication and Computer Joint Stock Company, employees are the core resource that creates economic value, nurtures corporate culture, and promotes innovation. In the current challenging context, businesses are willing to shoulder the burden to ensure the best possible income, Tet bonuses, and benefits for their employees, while proactively arranging transportation for workers to return home for Tet and back to work after the holiday.

"These efforts not only help workers have a warm and joyful Tet holiday, but also create a stable foundation for production and long-term commitment between workers and businesses right from the beginning of the new year."

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently signed Official Dispatch No. 07/CD-TTg dated February 1, 2026, requesting ministries, sectors, and localities to focus on implementing synchronously the tasks to serve the people in celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, emphasizing the responsibility to ensure the rights of workers. According to the Official Dispatch, the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and cities are required to closely monitor the labor relations situation, urge businesses to fully pay salaries and Tet bonuses; and prevent situations of unpaid or delayed salaries, especially in labor-intensive industries.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/giu-tet-cho-nguoi-lao-dong-IStNDgvvg.html