Read the inspiring story of a Vietnamese delivery driver who wiped out a 420 million VND debt in six years, and learn tips to escape gig‑work. Discover more now!
In the bitter chill of a Vietnamese winter morning, a young man opened the Meituan food‑delivery app with nothing more than a decade‑old phone, an electric scooter and a 120,000‑NDT (≈420 million VND) debt hanging over his head.
Why He Became a Rider
With no degree, no work experience and limited options, the only realistic escape route was to become a delivery rider. Veteran couriers told him that a diligent worker could earn around 6,000 NDT per month (≈21 million VND). He took that promise to heart.
Grinding the First Years
He began his shifts at 7:30 am, racing through traffic until late night. A “good” day meant completing 45‑50 orders and pocketing 220‑250 NDT (≈770,000‑875,000 VND). Bad days—traffic jams, order cancellations, or app penalties—could cut his earnings in half.
Because the debt was looming, he never turned off the app for even 30 minutes. By the end of the second year, he learned a crucial trick: the app’s suggested routes were often the slowest. Mastering the city’s shortcuts and avoiding red‑light‑heavy streets boosted his income to roughly 10,000 NDT per month (≈35 million VND).
Halfway Point and a New Venture
In the third year he finally cleared more than half of the debt, leaving about 55,000 NDT (≈192 million VND). With the pressure easing, he reduced his riding hours and started a side service—coaching newly‑joined riders on high‑order zones and traffic‑free routes. That mentorship added another 1,000‑1,500 NDT monthly.
The Unexpected Setback
Year four brought a crisis: his electric scooter broke down, forcing him to take a loan to buy a replacement. The new debt made him rethink his strategy. Instead of funneling every dong into repayment, he began setting aside 1,000 NDT each month as an emergency fund.
Health Takes a Toll
By year five, the physical strain was evident—constant back, neck and shoulder pain. He realized that riding could not be a lifelong career. The mantra “once the debt is paid, I’ll delete the app” grew louder each day.
The Final Sprint
Determined, he pushed harder in year six, focusing on peak periods like holidays and weekends while limiting weekday rides to before 9 pm. A fortunate partnership with two fashion shops gave him a steady flow of orders, and finally, the debt was fully repaid.
Freedom and Reflection
At 9:17 am he tapped “Delete” on the Meituan app. He describes that moment as the most relieving in his 30‑plus years of life—not because he despises delivery work, but because he finally freed himself from a job he needed only as a bridge.
He remains grateful to the gig economy for providing income, discipline and a real‑world exit strategy when traditional employment seemed out of reach. Today, he apprentices at an auto‑repair workshop—working for food and shelter while learning new skills, with a clear vision for his financial future.
His story illustrates both the opportunity and the pitfalls of gig work: fast cash, strict deadlines, and the risk of burnout. For anyone staring at a mountain of debt, his journey offers a roadmap—work hard, optimise routes, diversify income, and always keep an eye on the exit.