Endure discrimination
Shippers in Vietnam not only face challenges related to working conditions and income but also endure discrimination and a lack of respect from some segments of society. Many incidents highlight the unfair treatment they experience while on the job.
Examples of Discrimination
The delivery driver burst into tears because the customer canceled the order and reported him to the customer service hotline for being late: “It’s 3 a.m., it’s raining heavily, my phone’s touch screen is malfunctioning, and I’ve already messaged the customer asking for understanding. Yet, how could you do this to me?” The story has gone viral on social media in Vietnam and has become a hot topic of discussion.
According to his story, at 3 a.m., there was heavy rain, and he had received two combined orders. He had messaged the customer asking for patience, explaining that the rain was so heavy he couldn’t deliver quickly. However, after completing the first delivery and getting close to the second address, he received a call from the customer service hotline informing him that the customer had canceled the order and reported him for being late. Perhaps feeling too hurt, he couldn’t hold back his tears…
Incident at a "Cơm Tấm" restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City
A shocking incident that exposed the unfair treatment of shippers took place at a well-known Cơm Tấm restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, where a delivery driver was disrespected and forced to wait unnecessarily.
- A shipper arrived at the restaurant to pick up a pre-ordered meal but was made to wait for 30 minutes, while walk-in customers who arrived later were served first.
- When he questioned why he was being treated unfairly, the staff responded with a disrespectful remark:
“This is the kind of thing you have to accept in this line of work.” - This statement not only reflected a lack of respect but also highlighted how shippers are often treated as second-class customers, despite playing a crucial role in sustaining restaurant businesses.
Incident at a Highlands Coffee Branch
At a branch of Highlands Coffee, a shipper had to wait 20 minutes to collect a customer’s order, even though the order had already been placed. Meanwhile, the staff prioritized in-store customers, causing further delays in the shipper’s delivery schedule.
When the shipper complained about the long wait time, the staff did not apologize or offer a reasonable explanation. Instead, they responded in a dismissive and disrespectful manner, making the shipper feel humiliated and undervalued—despite simply trying to do their job.
This incident further fueled outrage within the shipper community, as many shared similar experiences. Shippers are frequently treated as an afterthought, often made to wait longer than regular customers, even though they play a crucial role in connecting restaurants and cafés with thousands of customers every day.