Low and unstable income

Shippers rely on fluctuating orders, facing unpredictable earnings that barely cover living costs.

Back to Who are Shipper?

Average Income of Shippers in Vietnam

According to surveys from Numbeo and data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the average income of shippers in major cities falls within:

  • 8,000,000 – 10,000,000 VND/month (~315 – 390 USD) for those working 8-10 hours per day.
  • 12,000,000 – 15,000,000 VND/month (~470 – 590 USD) for those working over 12 hours per day or taking on peak-hour, weekend, and holiday shifts.

However, this is before deducting expenses, and the actual amount a shipper can keep is significantly lower.

Expenses Shippers Must Bear

1

Fuel and Vehicle Maintenance
  • A shipper typically rides 80-120 km per day, consuming an average of $95 – $180 of fuel monthly (based on an average fuel price of ~$0.92/liter).
  • Additional maintenance expenses (oil changes, tire replacements, minor repairs) amount to $20 – $40/month.

2

Commission Fees for Delivery Apps
  • Platforms like Grab, ShopeeFood, and Gojek take 20 – 30% commission on each order.
  • If a shipper earns $590/month, they may lose $120 – $180 in platform fees alone.

3

Food and Resting Costs
  • Since they work on the road all day, shippers must eat out, spending an average of $60 – $120/month.
  • With no designated rest areas, many shippers take breaks in cafés or roadside eateries, adding another $12 – $20/month to their expenses.

4

Insurance and Healthcare
  • As freelancers, shippers do not receive health or social insurance from companies. If they opt for voluntary health insurance, they must pay ~$40 – $50 per year (~$3.50 – $4.20/month).

5

Other Incidental Costs
  • Phone and mobile data: $8 – $12/month for order management and navigation.
  • Traffic fines: Due to the rush to complete deliveries, shippers frequently receive minor fines (lane violations, parking infractions), costing $6 – $20/month.

Final Take

Home Income

After deducting all expenses, a shipper earning $390/month may only be left with $120 – $180 for personal and family expenses—a shockingly low amount given the cost of living in major cities.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly living costs (excluding rent) in:

0 $

Hanoi

0 $

Ho Chi Minh City

 

This means that most shippers cannot afford basic living expenses with their earnings alone. Many must work 12-14 hours per day, sometimes even overnight, just to make ends meet. This leads to severe physical and mental exhaustion, trapping shippers in a cycle of overwork with no clear way out.

Back to Who are Shipper?