Workers cut costs to overcome hardships

Amid persistently rising living costs, many workers in Dong Nai have proactively adjusted their spending habits, adopting practical saving measures to stabilize their livelihoods.

The Trade Union of Pou Chen Vietnam Enterprise Ltd (Bien Hoa ward) visits struggling workers at their rental homes. Photo: Thao My

These seemingly modest efforts have helped them “stay resilient to navigate” through challenging times.

Tightening expenses

Nguyen Thi Lan, a garment worker with more than seven years of experience at An Loi Apparel Co., Ltd. (Amata Industrial Park, Dong Nai province), shared that her family has maintained a weekly spending plan for nearly a year. According to her, this shift in financial habits has enabled the family to manage income better and limit unplanned expenses. “Before, whenever we ran out of something, we would simply buy more. Now, everything has to be carefully calculated. Each week, I list essential expenses such as food, electricity, and my children’s school fees and try to cut down on non-essential items as much as possible,” she said.

Beyond budgeting, many workers have also changed their shopping habits to reduce costs, including using online shopping applications, “hunting” for promotional offers, and comparing prices before making purchases. Cooking at home is also prioritized over eating out, ensuring health while reducing costs.

Although challenges remain, with proactive adaptation and a spirit of thrift and mutual support, workers in Dong Nai are gradually overcoming difficulties. These saving practices not only help stabilize their immediate lives but also lay the foundation for long-term financial sustainability.

Tran Van Hung, a mechanical worker at Ho Nai Industrial Park, said he used to rely on ready-made meals because of frequent overtime. However, this was costly and raised concerns about food safety. To address this, he and his roommate now pool money to buy groceries and cook after work. “We take turns preparing meals to save money while staying healthy,” Hung said.

The stories of Hung and Lan in part reflect a broader trend among many workers today: proactively tightening spending and prioritizing economical, safe, and sustainable ways of daily living amid ongoing hardships. For them, the greatest hope remains stable jobs and secure income, along with businesses maintaining orders and expanding production so that living standards can gradually improve.

Adapting flexibly to circumstances

In addition to reducing food expenses, many households have adopted other saving measures, such as reusing and repairing old items instead of purchasing new ones. Electricity and water consumption are carefully managed, and unnecessary appliances are minimized. Despite ongoing difficulties, workers are gradually overcoming the "price storm" through adaptability and thrift. These changes in spending behavior not only help stabilize their current lives but also foster sustainable financial habits for the future.

The Trade Union of Far Eastern New Apparel (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. at Bac Dong Phu Industrial Park supports workers in difficult circumstances through its “piggy bank” initiative.

In response to these challenges, trade unions at all levels in Dong Nai have implemented a range of practical support activities. Price stabilization programs, mini-supermarkets, and the provision of essential goods have helped reduce financial pressure on workers. In addition, many units organize training sessions on personal financial management, equipping workers with skills to manage their finances effectively and plan long-term savings.

A notable example is at Far Eastern New Apparel (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., where the grassroots trade union launched a Piggy Bank model to support and share with workers in difficult circumstances. After two years of implementation, the initiative has not only spread widely among employees but also helped foster saving habits and a spirit of solidarity and mutual support within the enterprise.

Nguyen Thi Mai Chi, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Far Eastern New Apparel (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., stated that in response to workers’ difficulties, the grassroots union has carried out many timely support activities. Among them, the Piggy Bank model is particularly practical, humane, and has shown clear effectiveness. From the accumulated fund, many workers facing sudden hardships have received timely assistance, helping them stabilize their lives, feel secure at work, and remain committed to the enterprise. “I hope that in the next journey, the Piggy Bank model at the company will continue to spread more good values,” Mai Chi shared.

At TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company (Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park), a mini supermarket opened by the grassroots Trade Union in 2025 on the factory grounds serves workers’ shopping needs. It offers essential goods, food, and household products at affordable prices while ensuring quality. The supermarket makes it convenient for workers to shop after work and even allows purchases on credit when they have no money on hand. In addition, prices are closely monitored by the Trade Union and adjusted as needed to match workers’ living conditions. The supermarket also regularly runs small employee promotional programs.

Ha Thi May, a worker at TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company, said that after finishing her shift, she can conveniently purchase many essential products at the company’s mini-supermarkets at reasonable prices. She said these preferential outlets not only help ease spending pressures but also create conditions for workers to feel more secure in their jobs and stabilize their lives.

Meanwhile, financial counseling sessions organized by grassroots trade unions have become practical support channels, helping workers gradually improve their financial management skills, balance their finances, and access essential goods at preferential prices. Through these activities, workers are not only equipped with basic financial knowledge but also develop habits of rational shopping and greater savings in their daily lives.

By Thao My – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho