Seeking better lives: African workers turn to manual labor in Hanoi

"It feels much easier now that we no longer attract curious stares like we did when we first arrived," the 28-year-old Somalian says. His friend uses a phone to show the shop owner, Nguyen Thi Thao, a list of dishes in Vietnamese, before quietly finding a seat. "They do not speak Vietnamese, so we communicate entirely through translation apps on our phones," Thao says.

For nearly three months residents of Nhat Tan and Tu Lien Wards in Tay Ho District have grown accustomed to seeing groups of black men doing manual work like washing dishes and assisting at local peach blossom and kumquat bonsai gardens.

Do Ngoc Hanh, 36, the owner of a local housing complex, says most of these men come from African countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Somalia, and some rent his apartments. "I have more than 150 tenants from Africa. They include single men, women and even families with children." A few Africans started renting his apartments about three months ago, and through word of mouth his three houses are now almost fully occupied.

Many of the Africans came to Vietnam with the hope of becoming English teachers. However, when they failed to find jobs, they turned to manual labor to survive. "They told me that English centers in Vietnam mostly hire native speakers, which makes it difficult for them to find work. Some came here hoping for a better life."

An African worker cleans a bonsai garden in Tu Lien Ward following the early October 2024 flood. Photo by Ha Trang

Manfred Fregene, 42, has been working as a porter since he arrived in May, earning VND50,000 (US$2) per hour. His daily income barely covers food for his eight children, five boys and three girls, ranging in age from one to 16. He says he once worked in real estate in Nigeria, but in recent years economic difficulties and safety concerns had made life tough.

In search of a safer environment he initially planned to move his family to Canada but eventually chose Vietnam. "Some friends who were already in Vietnam told me it was a safe, welcoming place to live, and so I decided to start over here."

He rents a room in a three-story house, sharing it with over a dozen compatriots, which helps ease his family’s homesickness. His visa expired two months ago, but he and his family have not been able to return home. "We are unable to afford the plane tickets nor the fines for overstaying our visas," he says. The family is also months behind on rent.

Living 500 meters away is Deborah, 46, another Nigerian who came to Vietnam looking to improve her financial situation. After five months in the country she found work teaching English in Thai Binh Province at VND450,000 per hour. However, a few weeks ago her contract was not renewed despite her visa still being valid for nearly two more years. Now living in Tay Ho District, she is searching for a new job while taking on various odd jobs, from construction work to house cleaning.

Manfred Fregene and his children in their rented room in Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District, on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

Mouhya, who arrived in Vietnam in August, had heard about the country from friends and media sources. "I have teaching skills. I was a teacher in Somalia and wanted to continue that work here," the 28-year-old says.For the first two months, he taught English in the outskirts of Hanoi, earning VND420,000 per hour.

However, he has been unemployed for the last three weeks. With his visa expiring next week and no job prospects, he plans to return home.

Deborah, 46, from Nigeria, in her rented room in Tu Lien Ward, Tay Ho District, on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

Thao, the eatery owner, often helps the African workers by hiring them to wash dishes or cut vegetables in exchange for meals though she has enough staff herself.

Sometimes local people looking for workers for lifting heavy stuff, construction work, or rice field work turn to Thao, who connects them with the Africans.

"They are friendly, and many are kind, but the language barrier makes communication challenging," she says.

A Tu Lien resident says he has hired African workers to help with house construction and repairs even though most have no training or experience in such work. "I mainly hire them to practice my English, but for efficient work I would hire Vietnamese workers." He also says that, to support unemployed African workers, he and some friends set up an online group chat to share job opportunities.

An official from the Tay Ho District People’s Committee acknowledges that a number of Africans have been living in the area for some time. Since they have not been able to secure jobs matching their qualifications, they have taken on various manual tasks and odd jobs, the official says. "Managing this group of workers is challenging because they do not have steady employment." The district has been in contact with the relevant embassies to gather more information about these workers. In the cases of people overstaying their visas, authorities are verifying and making plans to repatriate them.

Dr. Kieu Thanh Nga of the Institute of South Asia, West Asia and Africa Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences says that due to difficult economic conditions in some African countries, workers seek opportunities abroad, including in Vietnam, in the hope of improving their lives. She says local authorities should closely monitor their employment and visa status to head off emerging issues.

"Africans are honest and friendly, but prolonged unemployment can lead to social disorder and even legal violations."