Migrant workers adapt to urban life

For many years, migrant workers and laborers have played a crucial role in Dong Nai’s process of industrialization and modernization. As the province continues to be one of the country’s leading destinations for both domestic and foreign investment, it is expected to attract a large workforce from across Vietnam, thereby maximizing the capacity and potential of its labor force.

Workers participate in a cultural performance contest organized by Plus Vietnam Industrial Co., Ltd. at Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park (IP). Photo: Vuong The

To help workers remain committed to Dong Nai and adapt to the culture and pace of urban life, ensuring their material and spiritual well-being has become a top priority.

Integrating and contributing to local development

Dong Nai is among the country’s leading localities in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and consistently ranks among the provinces with the highest state budget revenues. Industrial hubs such as Dong Nai not only generate significant economic value but also serve as homes to hundreds of thousands of migrant workers. From northern, central, and southwestern provinces, many farmers accustomed to rural life have come to Dong Nai seeking employment, relying on their youth and diligence to build a better future.

According to the Dong Nai Provincial Federation of Labour, about 1.4 million workers are currently employed in enterprises, factories, and industrial facilities across the province. This young workforce, originating from many regions of the country, has shown strong adaptability to modern industrial production environments. Their diligence and creativity have become a positive symbol, contributing significantly to the development of a prosperous and modern Dong Nai.

For many migrants, Dong Nai represents a land of opportunity where aspirations can take shape. Dao Van Viet, Director of VPIC Viet Phat Mechanical Tools and Healthcare Equipment Co., Ltd., is one such example. Originally from Thai Nguyen province, Viet moved to Dong Nai and began his career at Vietnam Precision Industrial Corporation (VPIC), an FDI enterprise. After years of dedication and holding several key positions within the company, he has served as General Director of VPIC Viet Phat Mechanical Tools and Healthcare Equipment Co., Ltd., a member company of the VPIC Group, since 2016. Under his leadership as both Party cell Secretary and General Director, the company has maintained steady development while actively fulfilling its social responsibilities. Each year, it organizes programs to promote brand development alongside charitable activities supporting disadvantaged families and policy beneficiaries.

Another young face is  H Tha Ayun, from the 1990s generation, who is currently a production line leader and head of the Spray B trade union unit at Chang Shin Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Thanh Phu IP, Tan Trieu ward. Originally from Dak Lak province, she has spent many years on the production line. Meanwhile, she has repeatedly been commended by the grassroots trade union for her responsible work ethic and active participation in collective activities.

Aware of her responsibility to the locality where she lives and works, she has boldly decided to run as a candidate for the Dong Nai provincial People’s Council for the 2026-2031 term. According to Yun, her wish is to bring workers' voices directly to the province’s elected body, especially on issues that continue to weigh heavily on them, such as housing, living conditions, working conditions, and social welfare policies.

Similarly, Nguyen Thi Hoa, who came from Nghe An province to work in Dong Nai, has, after 10 years, become accustomed to the urban lifestyle. Now living in Trang Dai ward, she owns a chain of yoga studios across the central wards of the former Bien Hoa urban area. After work, she spends time with her friends, enjoying the nightlife of young people in the bustling urban area.

Helping workers integrate into urban life

Migrant labor has contributed significantly to Dong Nai’s development over the past decades. According to Dr. Le Si Hai of Van Hien University, migrant workers moving to urban areas have gradually adapted to urban lifestyles in many aspects of cultural and spiritual life, including how they spend their leisure time and their perspectives on behavior and social interaction.

Chang Shin Vietnam Co., Ltd. regularly organizes sports activities for its employees.

Nevertheless, not every migrant worker can easily achieve the life they hope for. Economic hardship often limits opportunities to enjoy cultural and recreational activities. Therefore, improving income levels, working conditions, housing, and social services, especially for migrant workers, is considered a fundamental step toward building a cultural life for workers in Dong Nai.

In addition, Dr. Nguyen Thi Tuy of the University of Finance – Marketing emphasized that, to attract investment and create sustainable jobs for Dong Nai's workers and laborers, the province needs to develop flexible policies focused on high-tech industries and agricultural processing to raise product value and improve labor skills.

At the same time, building the cultural and spiritual life of workers in Dong Nai's industrial parks has become an urgent task for the province. This undertaking will help improve the quality of life, protect workers' rights, and raise labor productivity, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the industrial sector and the province as a whole.

In reality, apart from government policies, many enterprises employing large workforces have made considerable efforts to care for their employees. Recognizing that labor is their most valuable asset, several companies have proactively invested in cultural and welfare facilities for workers, including dormitories, childcare centers, supermarkets, community cultural spaces, sports halls, and athletic fields. Large employers such as Taekwang Vina Industrial Joint Stock Company, Pou Sung Vietnam Co., Ltd., Chang Shin Vietnam Co., Ltd., Pou Chen Vietnam Co., Ltd., and Phong Thai Group have developed relatively comprehensive facilities for tens of thousands of employees.

Even so, those efforts remain modest compared with the needs of the province's large workforce. This reality poses a long-term strategic challenge for Dong Nai: how to improve the quality of investment attraction, foster economic development, while meeting people's cultural and spiritual needs simultaneously.

The province needs to set out criteria, standards, and binding requirements in attracting investment, while encouraging enterprises to build cultural facilities for workers so that workers and laborers can truly become owners of the urban community.

Dong Nai cannot achieve sustainable development without the attachment and contributions of its migrant workforce. For them to fully integrate, the province will always need both a “warm hand” from policy support and an “open heart” from the urban community.

By Vuong The – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho