On the afternoon of 29/1, the workshops of Tan De Garment Company, formerly in Thai Binh province, now in Hung Yen, buzzed with the "ting ting" sound of Tet bonuses – equivalent to three months' salary – arriving in workers' bank accounts. Trinh Thanh Dinh, Chairman of the Tan De Labor Union, stated that production lines paused briefly as workers cheered. This year's Tet bonus was exceptional, with each employee receiving their 13th, 14th, and 15th month salaries, one month more than the previous Tet holiday. "Bonuses varied by position, but the lowest amount received was 15 million VND," he said.

Tet gifts were securely fastened for workers to take home. Photo: Tan De

This company, specializing in garment exports, operates 9 factories in Hung Yen province, employing approximately 16,000 workers. Funds were transferred three weeks before Tet, allowing employees to shop early, avoid holiday price hikes, and arrange their trips home. In mid-January, the announcement of the "15th month bonus" on the internal radio and company fanpage garnered thousands of likes and comments. One female worker shared that after hearing the news on the radio, her entire room erupted in applause, calling it the best news of the month.

A day later, workers received Tet gift packages, carefully secured to their motorbikes. Each gift package, valued at 1.8 million VND, included: 10 kg of Thai red rice, 3 kg of glutinous rice, 4 boxes of cakes, 3 bottles of anchovy fish sauce, a case of beer, a pack of lucky red envelopes, and 500,000 VND in cash for the worker's family. Additionally, each person received a large plastic bin for waste collection, accompanied by a message promoting environmental protection. Two days prior, workers were instructed to prepare four ropes to secure their gifts, and the factory also provided extra ropes to ensure safe transport.

According to Mr. Dinh, the value of the Tet gifts remained similar to previous years, but the contents are changed annually to keep them fresh and suitable for workers. "It's not what you give, but how you give it," he remarked, explaining that the gifts were meticulously chosen to be practical, demonstrating the company's care for its employees and fostering long-term commitment to the factory. Thanks to clear compensation policies and good welfare, the factory maintained a stable workforce last year and plans to recruit an additional 1,000 people this year.

Workers carrying Tet gifts home, afternoon of 30/1. Photo: Tan De

May 10 Corporation in Hanoi achieved a revenue of 5,136 billion VND last year, with a profit of 212 billion VND, exceeding its targets. The average monthly income for its workers was approximately 11 million VND. This year's Tet bonus amounted to about 1.8 months' salary, an increase from 1.4 months' salary last year.

In mid-January, Nguyen Huu Huy, a worker at May 10's suit factory, and his colleagues were informed that their 13th month salary would be increased and paid out early this month. Management announced this directly during a company party, receiving enthusiastic applause from thousands of workers, which enlivened the meal. The 44-year-old worker shared that the bonus would cover Tet expenses and help purchase an electric bicycle for his daughter, who will soon enter high school.

He noted that living costs are rising, making every additional dong valuable. In addition to the bonus, the factory also provided an extra gift package. His family of four registered for company transportation to return to Thanh Hoa province for Tet. The two-way shuttle service saved him 2.5 million VND in travel costs, allowing him to avoid crowded bus stations.

With over 20 years at the factory, Mr. Huy is a skilled craftsman, directly involved in production, distributing finished products to sewing lines, training new workers, and learning to operate new equipment to instruct other workshops. While his income is not exceptional, consistent increases in salary and Tet bonuses over the years have helped him and his wife cover their two daughters' education and save enough for a small house. This sense of security is what keeps him committed to the factory long-term.

May 10 workers in the suit production workshop, January 2026. Photo: Manh Quan

Bach Thang Long, Deputy General Director of May 10, explained that bonus increases varied across departments, depending on the year's business performance. The increase in Tet bonuses and benefits serves as a reward for workers' efforts throughout the year. It also helps retain long-term employees and attracts young workers, a challenge in recruiting garment workers today.

Beyond increased Tet bonuses, the factory organizes activities to enhance employees' well-being, such as: theater trips, traditional banh chung making, Tet markets, and shuttle services for workers returning home and to the capital after the holiday. With the garment industry experiencing good growth, the company continues to expand production and plans to recruit an additional 3,000 workers this year.

In 2025, the entire textile and garment industry achieved a record 46 billion USD in exports, with many companies exceeding profit targets and thus increasing Tet bonuses for employees. Surveys indicate an average bonus of approximately one month's salary, with some companies offering two to three months. Some businesses have not yet announced Tet bonuses but have increased benefits, such as Mensa textile and garment in Quang Ngai, which provided tablets to employees and their children for learning and information lookup. These Tet policies aim to retain workers as companies expand production and face challenges in recruiting garment workers.

Hong Chieu