At the foot of Cai San Bridge in Thanh Loc commune, Mr. Ba Hung (60 years old) is busy securing crates of fruit on his old cart. For over 20 years, he has been a regular driver transporting goods for many people on the Thanh Loc commune - Rach Gia ward route. "On normal days, I'm happy to earn 200,000 dong a day. Near Tet, people go to the market to shop a lot, and I'm constantly busy. It's tiring, but it's the peak season, and a little more money in my pocket makes Tet feel closer," Mr. Ba Hung said with a gentle smile, his wrinkles etched deep by the sun and wind.
Mr. Minh Trung folds the ladder neatly on his vehicle before transporting it to construction sites. Photo: MOC TRA
Despite making a living in harsh conditions, each trip from the suburbs to the city, each delivery of goods, carries not only material value but also the hope for a peaceful and prosperous new year. Every day, Mr. Ba Hung transports construction materials around Thanh Loc and Binh An communes; during Tet (Lunar New Year), he switches to transporting fruits and ornamental plants for small traders. For him, Tet means a continuous stream of deliveries. Some days, he wakes up at 2 a.m. to pick up goods in time for delivery to Rach Gia market.
The lives of freelance workers are always a tapestry of contrasting colors. In front is the bustling city, vibrant with the colors of spring; behind lies the burden of making a living and the never-ending worries. Along the extended section of Ba Thang Hai Street, from Binh An commune to Rach Gia ward, the hectic pace of life is evident on the faces of construction workers, lottery ticket vendors, and delivery drivers… They are the silent links that help make the Tet holiday a complete affair.
I met Minh Trung at the Vam Ba Lich sluice gate in Binh An commune, just as he was folding up his ladder, his clothes stained with paint, and hurrying back to Rach Gia to meet the project deadline. Trung specializes in house painting, and his team consists of nearly 20 people. According to him, the demand for house renovations increases as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches. “Sometimes, while we’re painting one house, a neighbor sees how well-done we are and asks us to paint theirs too. Tet is the easiest time of year to make a living, so the team members are willing to divide the work and take turns to finish on time,” Trung shared.
While working alongside laborers to complete the final stages of house repairs in time for the Lunar New Year, Mr. Le Van Ai, residing in Ward 4, Rach Gia Commune, was plastering his house while simultaneously talking on the phone to arrange work for a team of workers at another construction site. "It's hard work, but having work and money is better than being idle. If we have no money for Tet, it's heartbreaking to see our children suffer," Mr. Ai confided. For him, working hard isn't just about providing for Tet, but also about saving for illness or unforeseen circumstances.
Amidst the crowds shopping for Tet (Lunar New Year), there are still those quietly earning a living, carefully saving every penny from makeshift stalls along the roadside. At the embankment of Phu Cuong Urban Area, Rach Gia Ward, Ms. To Thi My diligently works by her stove, selling snacks. For her, Tet is not a time for rest, but a "golden opportunity" to provide for her two children who are of school age.
For about 3 PM each day, Ms. My pushes her cart out to sell: fish cakes, beef meatballs, bread, okra… neatly arranged and visually appealing. A typical day of earning a living usually ends at 11 PM, but during Tet (Lunar New Year), she sometimes doesn't get home until after 1 AM. "Hopefully, more people will be out celebrating Tet this year so I can sell more. I'll try to sell until New Year's Eve, hoping to earn enough money to cover the three days of Tet and my children's school expenses," Ms. My said, her face shining with hope.
No one wants to endure the rain and sun or work hard from dawn till dusk if they have an easier option. However, for self-employed workers, earning money through honest labor is precious. Every arduous step, every drop of sweat, contains love for their family and the simple hope for a comfortable life. For self-employed workers, Tet (Lunar New Year) is not about lavish feasts, but about the honest wages carefully saved after each hard day. It is this resilience and optimism that creates a warm, simple, yet meaningful spring for so many families.
MOC TRA
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nguoi-lao-dong-tu-do-chay-tet--a475166.html
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