As the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) continues to rise, many migrant workers are choosing to leave the city in search of more affordable living conditions. Trần Trọng Nhân, a migrant worker from Cà Mau, shared his experience of moving to Bình Dương, where his family’s quality of life improved significantly, despite earning the same salary. Nhân noted that living costs, including rent and daily expenses, were much lower in Bình Dương, allowing his family to save money and enjoy leisure activities. Housing costs alone were significantly lower in Bình Dương, where a similar room costs about VNĐ1.5 million ($60) compared to VNĐ2.5 to 4 million ($100-160) in HCM City.

The growing trend of workers leaving HCM City has been fueled by rising housing costs, utility bills, and the high price of daily necessities, making it harder for many families to sustain themselves. Even those with stable jobs find it difficult to save or afford basic pleasures, such as returning home for holidays. Lê Văn Thương, a 26-year-old migrant worker from Thanh Hóa, left HCM City after four years, citing high living costs as a barrier to saving. He returned to his hometown, where he found a job offering 20% higher pay and a lower cost of living.

This trend is reflected in the city’s declining migrant population. Between 2015 and 2021, HCM City saw a steady influx of 170,000-180,000 new migrants annually. However, by 2023, this number dropped significantly to just 65,000, with areas like Tân Bình District experiencing the sharpest decline. Experts suggest that neighboring provinces such as Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, and Long An are increasingly competing with HCM City for migrant workers by offering lower living costs, better infrastructure, and improved job opportunities.

---