Tet bonuses provide added motivation for workers

As the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 (Tet) approaches, thousands of workers at industrial parks across Dong Nai province have expressed excitement in recent days as enterprises have promptly announced Tet wages, bonuses, welfare policies, and holiday schedules.

After a year of hard work, Tet bonuses carry not only material value but also serve as meaningful recognition and strong moral encouragement, helping workers feel secure and motivated to remain with their employers.

Tet bonuses enhance employee loyalty

As one of the enterprises with a large workforce of nearly 17,000 employees, Pou Sung Vietnam Co., Ltd., located in Bau Xeo Industrial Park, An Vien commune, has identified early Tet care for workers as a priority. Accordingly, the company’s leadership held discussions with the Executive Committee of the grassroots trade union and agreed to maintain Tet bonus levels as in previous years. Specifically, the minimum bonus is equivalent to one month’s salary, while the maximum reaches 2.2 months’ salary, with a total Tet bonus fund of 350 billion VND. Recently, when the company announced the bonus levels, many workers expressed their satisfaction, as the bonuses were considered commensurate with their efforts, dedication, and contributions over the past year.

Leaders of Dong Tien Joint Stock Company, located in Amata Industrial Park, Long Binh ward, present commendations to workers who fulfilled the 2025 production plan. Photo: Courtesy of the Trade Union

Le Nhat Truong, Chairman of the grassroots Trade Union of Pou Sung Vietnam Co., Ltd., said Tet bonuses reflect the company management’s recognition of the contributions made by its entire workforce, including managers, employees, and workers. In addition to Tet bonuses, the company’s Trade Union has allocated 7 billion VND to present Tet gifts to union members and workers, while also organizing cultural contests, lucky draws, and the “Tet Reunion” program. The Trade Union has arranged buses sponsored by the union to help more than 300 workers return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet with their families.

TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company, located in Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park, Tran Bien ward, with a workforce of over 34,000 employees, has also announced the Tet bonus levels for all workers. The company plans to allocate over 600 billion VND for Tet bonuses. Specifically, the highest bonus rate is set at 150 percent, equivalent to 1.5 months' salary per employee, including the new basic wage and production support allowances, effective from January 2026. Bonus amounts will be adjusted downward for employees with shorter periods of service. Tet bonuses are scheduled to be paid on February 4, 2026, via ATM accounts.

Nguyen Thi Hong, a worker at TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company, said that each Tet season, she and many other workers look forward to the Tet bonus, as it provides extra income in addition to their regular salaries to help cover holiday expenses. “After a year of hard work, I was thrilled to hear about the Tet bonus. With the bonus, I can proactively cover travel expenses to return home and make Tet purchases for my family, making the holiday feel much closer,” Hong shared.

At Dong Tien Joint Stock Company, located in Amata Industrial Park, Long Binh ward, more than 3,600 workers were also uplifted on the production lines after the company announced Tet bonuses averaging over 21 million VND per person, approximately 16 percent higher than last year. In addition, to encourage employees to stay with the company and contribute to the successful completion of the 2025 production plan, the company’s leadership awarded bonuses of 2 million VND per person to all staff and workers, totaling more than 6.6 billion VND.

According to Nguyen Van Hoang, General Director of Dong Tien Joint Stock Company, the persistent efforts of workers helped the company increase productivity in 2025 and complete its production plan ahead of schedule, providing a clear and well-founded reason to raise wages and bonuses. Specifically, the company’s productivity increased by about 15 percent this year, while workers’ incomes rose by approximately 25 percent compared to the same period. He expressed hope that in 2026, the company’s growth would accelerate further and workers’ living standards would continue to improve.

Ensuring workers enjoy a warm Tet

Observations at enterprises across the province show that this year, despite ongoing economic challenges, many companies have made efforts to maintain stable Tet bonus levels, with some even increasing them compared with last year. In addition to cash bonuses, several enterprises have provided Tet gifts and supported transportation tickets for workers to return to their hometowns and reunite with their families. The early announcement and payment of Tet bonuses have created an upbeat atmosphere in factories and workshops, encouraging workers to remain focused during the final days of the year, boosting labor productivity, and contributing to increasingly harmonious and stable labor relations.

According to a report by the Dong Nai provincial Department of Home Affairs, based on consolidated data from nearly 1,500 enterprises across the province, the average Lunar New Year bonus for workers in the domestic private sector stands at about 11.4 million VND per person, while the average bonus in foreign-invested enterprises (FDI) reaches 13.3 million VND per person. Among them, the highest Lunar New Year bonus currently recorded is 840 million VND. For the 2026 New Year holiday, many enterprises also provided bonuses for workers, with the highest level reaching 228.5 million VND.

Alongside the business community’s efforts to provide wages and Tet bonuses, Dong Nai province is mobilizing resources to ensure a warm and meaningful Tet for residents, especially workers, on the occasion of the 2026 Lunar New Year. These efforts aim to motivate workers to feel secure in their jobs, foster long-term commitment, enhance productivity and living standards, and welcome a new year of peace and prosperity.

MAI XUAN TUAN, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Home Affairs

In addition to Tet bonuses, many enterprises have increased the regional minimum wage for workers by an average of 7 to 10 percent starting from January 1, 2026, exceeding the levels stipulated in Government Decree No. 293/2025/ND-CP. A notable example is Far Eastern New Apparel (Vietnam) Ltd., located in Bac Dong Phu Industrial Park, Dong Phu commune, which has adjusted basic salaries by increasing the minimum by 354,000 VND per month and the maximum by 574,000 VND per month for all employees. Currently, the probationary wage for workers has risen to nearly 5.3 million VND per month.

Alongside the efforts of enterprises, trade unions at all levels in Dong Nai province have actively supported workers through a range of welfare programs, including “Tet Reunion,” “Compassionate Bus Trips,” year-end meals, lucky draws, and gift distribution for workers in difficult circumstances. These activities have helped workers experience the warmth and spirit of sharing more deeply during the traditional Lunar New Year.

Mai Xuan Tuan, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Home Affairs, said the combination of high Tet bonuses, the province’s wide-reaching social welfare network, and trade union support demonstrates Dong Nai’s strong commitment to stabilizing labor relations. He emphasized that Tet bonuses serve as an essential source of encouragement, enabling workers in Dong Nai to enter the new year with greater confidence and hope. Amid the joy of welcoming spring, workers are becoming more closely attached to their enterprises, joining hands to build a more sustainably developing Dong Nai.

By Nguyen Hoa – Translated by Huyen Trang, Minho