Chasing the illusion of ‘easy’ money: I am exhausted after seven years as an app-based driver earning $760 a month

I have just officially quit after seven years navigating the streets of Hanoi as an app-based driver. When I removed my faded uniform and helmet, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, yet it came with quiet sadness. I once thought this job would be temporary, a way to "save up some capital" before finding work in my field. But months turned into years, and I was caught in the relentless cycle of earning just enough to get by, losing sight of myself without realizing it.

I graduated with a degree in business administration in 2017. While my friends began office jobs, I struggled to find suitable work. With entry-level salaries around VND8 million (US$304) barely covering rent and daily expenses, I chose ride-hailing as a "temporary" option.

At that time, the industry was booming. Average monthly earnings ranged from VND12–15 million, double that of office workers, and some made up to VND20 million (US$760) if they worked long hours. I was drawn to the promise of "quick money": no boss, no fixed hours and income based solely on effort. I told myself, "I’ll do this for a few years, then move on."

Seven years later, my diploma is still kept untouched in a drawer. My former classmates are now managers or startup founders, while I continue to log into the app each morning, driving through rain, traffic jams, and thick smog.

For anyone who still believes this job offers "freedom," I urge you to try it for a few months. In summer, the 40-degree Celsius heat scorches your skin, drenching your clothes in sweat. No matter how much water I drank, my throat still burned with thirst. In winter, the wind cut like blades through my hands as I gripped the handlebars. On rainy days, soaked and shivering, I would still hear passengers urging, "Please go faster."

On average, I drove 200–250 kilometers a day, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., pausing only to refuel or eat a quick roadside meal. Fuel, phone bills, and vehicle depreciation consumed 40–50% of my income. After expenses, I earned around VND8–10 million a month, without health insurance, social insurance, or paid leave.

According to the Vietnam Automobile Transportation Association, as of 2024, around 300,000 ride-hailing drivers were active nationwide across various platforms. Most are young workers, and many hold college or university degrees but switched paths believing the job offered "easy money." Few realize that most quit within three years, mainly due to exhaustion, declining income, and a lack of long-term stability.

I had two minor accidents, leaving only scratches and a broken mirror, but others were not as lucky. One colleague I know broke his leg and had to stop working for half a year, without any compensation.

Over the years, I missed countless opportunities, no time to study further, no career advancement, and no professional skills gained beyond "picking up passengers quickly and finding the shortest route." My youth faded away amid honking horns, dust, and endless rides.

Some say, "As long as you earn money, that is enough." But after seven years, I realized how far I had fallen behind. Technology advanced, my friends thrived, and I was still waking up early each morning just to make ends meet.

I do not regret the job itself, it is honest work, and I respect everyone who earns a living this way. What I regret is trading my youth, health, and career potential for an illusion of freedom that turned into a never-ending grind.

Driving for ride-hailing apps suits many, especially blue-collar workers, those seeking temporary work, or anyone needing extra income. But for young people with degrees and skills, I urge you to think carefully. This job is not wrong, but it is not sustainable. As age and fatigue catch up, you will realize you cannot drive forever, and by then, returning to your professional path will be far more difficult.

*Readers' opinions are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress' viewpoints.