A new survey highlighting widespread financial hardship among Vietnamese workers has intensified calls for a 6–7 percent minimum wage increase in 2026, as experts and labour representatives warn that current incomes fall far short of basic living needs, Kinh Te Do Thi has reported→view source.
Key details:
- Survey findings: Conducted by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in March–April 2025 among nearly 3,000 workers, the survey showed 54.9 percent of workers said their income just covered basic expenses, while 26.3 percent had to live frugally, and 7.9 percent lacked enough to live on, needing extra jobs.
- Debt and nutrition concerns: Over 42 percent of workers had to borrow money, either regularly or occasionally, to cover essential costs. Only 55.5 percent could afford meat or fish in all main meals, highlighting serious nutrition and health risks.
- Education pressures: More than 53 percent said their salary only partly covered children’s education costs; 6.9 percent said it did not meet these needs at all.
- Wage proposals: The Confederation suggested two options — increases averaging 9.2 percent or 8.3 percent. Meanwhile, the National Wage Council’s technical team proposed 6.5–7 percent.
- Worker perspectives: Many workers expressed an urgent desire for an increase, citing inflation and daily struggles. One Hanoi garment worker stressed the need to “be very frugal” even on a family income of VND 16 million per month.