Vietnam's Urban Offices Embrace 'Gig' Housekeeping: A New Option for Young Professionals

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the sight of young professionals emerging from office buildings in the evening has taken on a new dimension. Mai Tram, a 24-year-old marketing executive, works three evenings a week as an hourly housekeeper. She chose this job to earn money for language studies and professional development. Earning over VND 200,000 (approximately $8 USD) per three-hour cleaning session, and even more on weekends, her supplementary income of nearly VND 4 million ($160 USD) per month helps her manage living expenses in Ho Chi Minh City, which ranks fourth in the country for cost of living. This income covers rent, utilities, and daily necessities. Tram recalls her initial hesitation during her first job, standing at a client's door wondering whether to enter. Now, she's adept with rubber gloves, skillfully using various cleaning chemicals and techniques. The appeal of this work, she explains, is its simplicity: "My mind is at ease. Once the house is clean, I go home and get paid immediately." While she could pursue freelance work related to her marketing career, that would demand late nights at her computer, a trade-off she's unwilling to make. Jupviec, an app connecting clients with hourly domestic helpers, reports a younger demographic of applicants, with a significant increase in those under 45. This workforce includes office workers, teachers, real estate agents, small business owners, and students. They typically work evenings or weekends, taking on 3-5 shifts per week, each lasting 2-3 hours. This flexible arrangement allows them to supplement their income while still having time for social activities or family care. Lai Thi Duy Hong, a manager overseeing over 100 hourly domestic helpers, notes that many with full-time jobs seek this work for extra income and the freedom it offers. Some individuals aged 35-40 also view it as a potential career transition, preparing for a shift as they approach traditional retirement ages and face challenges in long-term corporate employment. Khanh Huyen, a 38-year-old accountant, turned to hourly housekeeping for stress relief after years of office work. She found that physical labor helped clear her mind from the pressures of dealing with numbers and documents. Initially, she felt pressure to complete cleaning tasks within a tight deadline, unlike at home where she could be more lenient. However, she quickly adapted. Her 4-5 weekly shifts, each earning VND 170,000 to VND 250,000 ($7-$10 USD) depending on the workload, add an extra VND 3-5 million ($120-$200 USD) to her monthly income. "Working as a housekeeper helps me relieve a lot of stress, and sometimes I feel happy when I meet kind homeowners," Huyen shared. The job also provides her with insights into a niche service sector, broadening her understanding beyond accounting. For Tram, the physical work has been more rewarding than expected, improving her confidence in interacting with strangers as she often chats with homeowners. She sometimes finds joy in assisting with meal preparation and engaging in conversation. Working alongside older helpers has taught her about using chemicals safely and effectively, adding to her household management skills. Tram views this as a temporary role to boost her income while remaining focused on her primary career. As Vietnam's urban centers grapple with rising living costs and evolving work preferences, hourly housekeeping services are emerging as a viable option for supplementary income and personal fulfillment, likely to gain further traction.