Students stay in Hanoi for high-paying Tet jobs as holiday hiring surges

THE HANOI TIMES — Many students are choosing to remain in Hanoi and work through the holiday instead of spending the entire break with family, aiming to ease early-year study and living expenses as Tet (Lunar New Year) hiring accelerates.

Nguyen Khanh Huyen, 19, a fresher at Thang Long University, said she began seeking part-time work soon after moving to Hanoi to reduce her family’s financial burden.

“At first, my parents opposed the idea because they worried about my studies, but I believe a part-time job helps me mature, improve communication skills, manage my time and cover living costs,” she said.

Huyen works as a barista at a café in Dinh Cong Ward. In the final days of the year, customer traffic surges and shifts grow more intense, bringing higher earnings.

Returning students have also stepped up their job search ahead of Tet.

Nguyen Van Hung, 21, a third-year student at the University of Transport and Communications, said he and his friends look for seasonal work after final exams.

“It is easier to find a job now because stores need extra staff,” Hung said. He works eight to nine hours a day at a convenience store near campus and earns nearly VND300,000 (US$11.6) per shift, helping support himself and his family.

As Tet nears, businesses enter their busiest period. Rising customer demand drives the recruitment of temporary workers.

The Hanoi Employment Service Center estimated January hiring demand at around 40,000 positions. Data from more than 900 companies showed that wholesale, retail and services accounted for about 57.4% of total demand.

Dang Le Cam Nhung, recruitment supervisor at Takahiro JSC, said the restaurant and food service firm needs more than 100 temporary workers for kitchen, bar and service roles through the Lunar New Year.

“The hourly wage ranges from VND28,000 to VND29,000 ($1.08 to $1.12), increases to VND40,000 to VND42,000 ($1.54 to $1.62) after the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month and can reach VND90,000 per hour ($3.46) during peak Tet days, excluding allowances,” she said.

Nhung said many universities allow students to leave early for the holiday, reducing the seasonal labor pool.

The company has expanded recruitment through internal referrals and partnerships with universities and employment centers to reach students who remain in the city, she added.

Major retail chains report similar shortages.

Do Hoang Giang, recruitment supervisor at Circle K’s Hanoi branch, said the company needs nearly 800 temporary workers for Tet but has hired about 500 so far.

“Our stores operate 24 hours a day, so we require staff for three shifts,” he said.

Giang said regular pay stands at about VND26,000 per hour ($1.00), while Tet shifts rise to four times that rate during the day and nearly five times at night, or roughly VND100,000 to VND130,000 per hour ($3.85 to $5.00).

The company will continue recruiting until just before Tet to fill gaps.

In the beverage sector, Vu Thi Hoa, co-founder of a Hanoi coffee brand, said strong pre-Tet demand forced her shop to hire additional service and bar staff.

“We prioritize students because they adapt quickly and work flexible shifts,” she said, adding that the jobs help them develop communication skills and professional discipline.

Hoa said many seasonal workers later stay on as long-term staff or return during other peak periods.

Vu Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Employment Service Center, said temporary hiring before, during and after Tet has grown common as businesses respond to peak demand.

He said rising holiday shopping strains wholesale, retail and logistics sectors as many firms rely on temporary staff as a flexible, cost-efficient alternative to maintaining a large year-round workforce.

For students and young workers, Tet jobs provide income and practical experience, Thanh said. During peak periods, wages typically run 1.5 to 2 times higher than usual.

Working on official Tet holidays can bring 300% to 400% pay plus bonuses and allowances, enabling some students to save between VND5 million and VND10 million ($192 to $385) in a few weeks.

He said the fast-paced environment strengthens time management, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills, giving graduates an edge in the formal job market.

However, Thanh warned that the year-end labor market carries risks, particularly for inexperienced job seekers.

Some individuals exploit seasonal demand by posting social media advertisements promising immediate jobs without paperwork to scam applicants or lure them into forced labor abroad, he said.

He urged workers to apply through official channels, verify employer information and avoid paying fees or deposits.

“Workers should not rely solely on short-term jobs but should improve vocational, digital and language skills while gaining early experience to boost competitiveness,” Thanh said.