Mr. Ngo Van Kiet sorts and packs crabs for delivery to customers. Photo: BAO TRAN
Staying in one's hometown
As dawn broke, the road leading to Ba Bien hamlet, Tay Yen commune, still damp with dew, began to bustle with the daily grind of life in this coastal area. In the small yard in front of his house, Ngo Van Kiet (24 years old) prepared for a new day by weighing, sorting, and packing crabs and shrimp to meet delivery deadlines. He has been involved in the crab and shrimp purchasing business since 2021, after working odd jobs in various places. "Taking advantage of the resources of my hometown and family experience, I chose to settle down here. Every day, around 5 a.m., I set up my equipment to buy crabs," Kiet said, his hands still nimbly sorting and tying the crabs.
The job seems simple, but in reality, it's still stressful due to the significant capital investment required for daily inventory, transportation costs, fluctuating prices, and losses from dead crabs and shrimp. However, this profession is still "easier" than working for someone else. Income isn't fixed, but with hard work, there's always a steady stream of income. More importantly, he has control over his time and isn't constrained. Not content with just a small-scale operation, Kiet is looking to expand his supply chain, connect with wholesale markets, and sell through social media. Kiet shared: "Nowadays, everyone sells online; if I don't, it's hard to compete. Even in the countryside, you have to change your mindset to thrive."
As the sun rose above the coconut trees along the roadside, Nguyen Thanh An (28 years old), a resident of Dong Thai commune, had just finished his morning deliveries. His motorbike stopped in front of his house, the back still laden with tightly secured boxes. He removed his mask, quickly wiped away the sweat, and took a sip of water before preparing for the next delivery. Looking at his thin, sun-tanned figure, few would guess that he once harbored dreams of going far away like many other young people. “Back then, I wanted to go far, earn a lot of money, and do something bigger. But in 2024, my mother became seriously ill, so I decided to stay home and find work.”
Back in his hometown, lacking stable employment, he tried his hand at various jobs before finding work as a delivery driver for a transport company in An Bien. What seemed like a temporary job turned into a lifelong commitment. An's day begins early in the morning, receiving orders, assigning routes, and then driving continuously through the hamlets and communes. His income ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 VND per day, depending on the number of orders.
Find opportunities for growth.
While staying in one's hometown might offer a stable lifestyle, for many young people, leaving their hometown is a clearer path to seeking opportunities for growth. Pham Yen Linh (26 years old), a graduate in international business from An Bien commune, chose to stay in the city to begin her own journey. Currently, she is the head of human resources at a software technology company in Can Tho City. Linh shared: “In my hometown, there aren't many job opportunities that match my expertise. Meanwhile, the city offers a dynamic and professional work environment where I can learn, develop, and have a clear career progression path.”
Linh's day is almost completely full. Her laptop is always on, and her phone is constantly buzzing with messages. Meetings, recruitment plans, and performance reviews follow one another without end. Her income is around 12 million VND per month, but after expenses and sending money home, she's left with about 2 million VND. The fast-paced life means meals are often rushed, and trips back home are becoming less frequent. Sometimes she thinks about returning. But for her, going away isn't about leaving, but about preparation. "When the time is right, I still want to return and do something for my hometown," Linh says.
During the recent holiday, Nguyen Phuong Nhi (28 years old) and her husband, originally from An Minh commune, returned to their hometown. Their two children happily played with their grandparents, their laughter filling the house. The couple also took the opportunity to visit relatives, making up for the months they had been apart. After eight years working as factory workers in Dong Nai , their lives gradually settled into a routine. They brought their children up to live with them so they could take care of them more easily. “We’ve gotten used to it. Each of us earns over 12 million VND per month, enough to support the family,” Nhi said.
But behind that "familiarity" are long shifts, ever-increasing living costs, and increasingly infrequent trips home. Homesickness isn't always expressed in words, but it simmers through every phone call and every hurried journey back home. "I miss home, but I don't know what I'll do if I go back. My husband and I are saving up for the future. He's trying to get his driver's license, hoping it will make it easier to find work back home. And I dream of opening a small convenience store, earning enough to live comfortably and be close to my parents," Nhi shared.
Today, young people are willing to leave their hometowns to learn, accumulate knowledge, and seek opportunities, but they also plan to return when conditions are suitable. As the gap in employment and income narrows, sustainable livelihoods can be built right in their hometowns.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nguoi-tre-truoc-nga-re-di-hay-o--a484809.html
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