AITA- What is life like for a low income earner in Vietnam?

What is life like for a low income earner in Vietnam? Hello everyone, I'm Thuy VAN. I'm 28 years old this year, an age when you're supposed to have your life together, but right now, I'm living through some pretty uncertain days, in a peaceful countryside, in Northern Vietnam. Out of habit, whenever I wake up, I take a long stretch to wake myself up, recharge my energy for the day, and then meticulously fold my blanket. I've always believed that, preparing yourself thoroughly before doing anything, is essential, especially at the start of a new day. Sitting in front of the mirror, I gently fix my hair, but then, I suddenly freeze, as a wave of emotion washes over me. It suddenly hits me, that today is a truly special day. It's special, because I just decided to quit my job, at a company I've been with for over five years. It was a decision I struggled with, and overthought, for a very long time. If you're wondering why I'd walk away from such a familiar place, let me share my story with you. Despite my small frame, I used to be a factory worker, in the sole department of a leather shoe company. My main job was trimming the edges of pressed shoe soles. It might sound easy, and not too labor-intensive, but the toxic chemical smell from the pressing workshop, constantly filled my lungs, making me feel suffocated, and miserable. What was even worse, was the endless cycle of working three rotating shifts: Shift 1 from 8 AM to 2 PM, Shift 2 from 2 PM to 10 PM, and Shift 3, the most exhausting one, running from 10 PM to 6 AM the next morning. With my schedule constantly flipping between day and night, adjusting my sleep schedule became an absolute nightmare. The chronic sleep deprivation started taking a massive toll on my health. I know that money is incredibly important, to me and everyone else out there, but after many sleepless nights, I realized that, while money can always be remade, once your health is gone, nothing can replace it. Even though I worked so hard, and sacrificed my youth, my monthly salary wasn't much, just a meager 5 to 6 million vnd , which is a little over $200. After stretching that tiny amount, to cover rent and daily living expenses, there was barely anything left. Saving money was a total luxury for me. Today, I just got home, after finishing my final Shift 3. My body is completely exhausted, and worn out, because last night, I poured every ounce of energy I had left, into wrapping up my final tasks. I wanted to leave the company on the best possible terms. It's already 3 PM now, which is my usual wake-up time, after pulling an all-nighter. Looking ahead to the coming days, I can't help but feel deeply anxious. I know I'll have to try incredibly hard to find a new job, somewhere better suited for me, and, above all, safer for my health.

Posted Aug 12, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC

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