Low pay, heavy hours for ride-hailing drivers before Tet

"I work as a food delivery driver for a well-known ride-hailing company. To be honest, I do not know how much the company raises shipping fees for customers during the holiday, but the pay that reaches drivers like us is very low. For a 3-kilometer trip, I receive just VND13,500 (US$0.52). If I take an extra order, the total is VND20,000. That means a driver travels 5 to 7 kilometers just to earn less than a dollar.

"Of course, the company has to cover many operating costs. But it also needs to share profits fairly with drivers, who are its main partners. With commissions this small, who can keep going? That is why many drivers turn off the app and go back to their hometowns early. As Lunar New Year approaches, traffic gets heavier and demand rises. One delivery can take 30 minutes or more, and we earn only a few small bills. Is that fair to drivers?"

That was the view of reader Doingangtrai on the daily struggle of ride-hailing drivers. In the days leading up to Lunar New Year in Hanoi, many users said they found it difficult to book rides, deliveries, or food orders through apps, even though prices nearly doubled compared to normal days. One reason was that many drivers returned to their hometowns early or switched off the app to work directly for local businesses, where they could earn more.

A shipper delivers a bubble milk tea order to a woman in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Nga

Sharing the concern for ride-hailing drivers' welfare, reader Bao Cong wrote: "Drivers face pressure from customers and bonus policies. The app controls everything. It is hard to get good orders, and accounts can be suspended at any time. Competition is intense. To cover daily expenses, drivers have to stay on the road for more than 10 hours a day.

"At the same time, they receive no benefits or accident insurance, and they pay their own traffic fines. The only upside is flexible hours and same-day earnings. But if they take a day off, orders drop right away. It sounds simple and profitable, but the cost shows up in health problems such as herniated discs, hemorrhoids and stomach pain."

Reader Khoa chose not to trade his health for income. "I drive for a ride-hailing platform, but I take it slow. I have breakfast and coffee before taking a few trips. At noon, I go home for lunch and rest before working a few more rides. At 6 p.m., I return home for dinner, then drive again until 11 p.m. After that, I go home to shower and sleep to recover. Drivers need to balance health and work. Do not push yourself so hard that you regret it later."

Reader Than Linh agreed: "I never chase orders. I do not understand why some drivers push themselves so hard. I aim to earn VND350,000 ($13.50) a day. I do not shop much. I wear the same clothes for five years. I do not spend money on unnecessary food or trendy places. I work within my limits and spend within my means."

Reader Nguyentrv called for better policies from ride-hailing and delivery companies. "Overworking does not only damage drivers' health but can also threaten road safety if drivers are not fully alert. The problem is that the software keeps assigning rides, so drivers cannot rest. If they cancel or delay accepting a trip, their rating drops and the next day they receive harder jobs.

In my opinion, the law should require ride-hailing and delivery companies to limit total working hours per day and set rules on continuous driving time. That would protect drivers' health and improve road safety for everyone."