Top 9 Lowest-Paying Jobs in Vietnam Today

Environmental sanitation workers are individuals employed by a public or private enterprise to collect and dispose of waste from residential areas, commercial areas, industrial areas, etc. Their job is to help maintain a clean and beautiful environment, preserving the landscape for society.

Environmental sanitation workers often face some risks. This is the most dangerous and hazardous job, even more so than police work because workers frequently come into contact with hazardous substances and endure difficulties from the weather, leading to a high risk of skin and internal diseases. Those working in this field often work in shifts, and their wages are not high, typically ranging from 4 to 6 million Vietnamese dong per month.

Motorbike taxi (Xe ôm) is a transportation service that carries people and goods by motorcycle, usually transporting people for a negotiated fare or based on the distance traveled. Many men choose to be motorbike taxi drivers as a means of livelihood, especially those who are poor or have no qualifications in Vietnam.

The job of motorbike taxi drivers also carries many risks, with many cases of robbery targeting them. The income of this profession is also very unstable, depending on whether they can pick up passengers or not, some days they earn a lot while some days they earn very little, or even nothing at all. However, the average income of this profession is not high, typically ranging from 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 dong per month.

Waitstaff are individuals who work in restaurants, cafes, hotels, etc. They often work part-time in shifts or full-time, with irregular working hours and almost no daytime serving jobs. Many waitstaff also have to work early mornings or late nights, including weekends and holidays. In resort areas, waitstaff positions are often seasonal, with workers only employed for a few months each year.

Waitstaff are the individuals who customers interact with the most when they visit a restaurant, cafe, or hotel. They greet customers, assist them in choosing dishes, relay orders to the counter and kitchen, and also ensure that customers feel happy and comfortable throughout their time at the establishment, so the appearance and attitude of waitstaff are considered quite important. The salary for this profession is also not high, typically around 3,000,000 dong per month.

The job of cashiers at stores or gas stations is not only one of the most boring jobs but also extremely low-paying in terms of both time and effort required. Cashiers typically do not require qualifications or experience. Therefore, the average salary they receive ranges from 4 million to 5 million dong. Considering the requirement to stand for 8 to 10 hours a day, this is truly a job not worth doing for an adult.

However, for some reasons or as a start for recent graduates, some choose this profession. Unlike other jobs, if you have good customer interaction and care, you may receive tips from customers. However, most cashiers are bound by work terms prohibiting them from accepting tips from customers. Despite the very low salary, with the rapid development of shopping centers, gas stations, and other business sectors, cashiers still make up a large proportion of the job market in Vietnam.

Most of us might assume that professions in the beauty industry lead to lucrative incomes. However, being a hair wash attendant is an exception to that rule. Typically, this is a job for interns or newcomers to the beauty field. Their main concern isn't about salary but rather about interacting with clients and learning from experienced individuals. If you're willing to sacrifice a few months to learn successfully and then land a higher-paying job, it's definitely worth investing time and effort, isn't it?

The duration of this hair wash attendant position varies depending on each individual's learning ability. And of course, this job is most suitable for young people. For those who already have a small family, it's very difficult to balance the time spent and the salary that cannot meet the family's expectations. Additionally, there's another hope for these hair wash attendants: satisfied customers may generously tip you as a token of appreciation.

This job often involves living and sharing daily life with the employer's family. While the convenience of saving commuting and living expenses might seem attractive, domestic helpers face long working hours, often exceeding 13 hours per day. Their salary is relatively modest, ranging from 4 to 6 million dong, considering the extensive time commitment.

Given the demanding nature of the job, those typically taking up this role are elderly workers. They are not suitable for high-intensity workplaces. However, one notable advantage of this job is the ability to save money efficiently. Moreover, if you're fortunate enough to find a kind and understanding employer, you'll be treated like a family member and enjoy shared amenities, such as family vacations. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?

This is one of the professions with the lowest wages in Vietnam today. Garment workers mostly work in large factories and garment workshops. The salary for this job largely depends on your skill level. If you're fortunate enough to be paid per piece, the average salary you can expect ranges from 6 million dong and above. However, if you only receive hourly or daily wages, chances are high that you'll earn less than 4 million dong for working 8 to 10 hours a day. This salary is only sufficient for families living in rural areas or those accepting a lower standard of living.

Once again, this falls into the category of jobs that do not require qualifications or skills, so the salary you receive will correspond to your level of education. Besides worrying about wages, garment workers must also face health hazards. Due to daily exposure to items such as fabric, colored dyes, mainly fine fabric dust particles, and hazardous chemicals, your health will deteriorate significantly over time. Typically, health issues will be related to the lungs.

Sales assistants engage in continuous interaction with customers to promote their interest in one or multiple assigned products. This profession demands a strong emphasis on appearance and communication skills. However, the salary received depends largely on the ability to sell products. Therefore, the amount you receive varies from month to month.

Given that the basic salary of sales assistants fluctuates around or below 4 million. Due to the demands on appearance and the basic salary, this is often the choice of students or recent graduates to gain experience with the market and customers. It would be very difficult for those over 30 to survive or accept this job.

The average salary that security guards can receive ranges from about 4 to 5 million dong. Typically, they work rotating shifts to cover both day and night duties. The working hours extend to about 10 to 12 hours per shift. This job does not require qualifications or skills. However, the reality is that the likelihood of encountering danger is very high due to potential theft situations. Unfortunately, most security guards are not equipped with the necessary skills and tools for such situations.

Another situation that security guards need to consider before taking on a job is if the company or hiring entity experiences theft. If the perpetrator is not identified or if you fail to recover the stolen property during the struggle, you will be held responsible for the entire value of the stolen goods by the company or hiring entity. This is one of the significant drawbacks that you need to carefully consider when taking on this job.