Vietnam's gig workers are facing severe financial strain as diesel prices have skyrocketed, more than doubling in recent weeks. The dramatic increase stems from Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, which has disrupted fuel supplies and sent costs surging across Southeast Asia.
For delivery drivers, ride-hail operators, and other independent contractors who rely on their vehicles for income, the soaring fuel expenses are cutting deeply into already thin margins. Many report working longer hours just to cover their increased operating costs, with some considering leaving the gig economy altogether if the situation doesn't improve.
"I used to fill my tank for 500,000 dong—now it costs over 1 million," said one Hanoi-based delivery driver. "After paying for fuel, there's barely anything left for my family."
The economic ripple effects extend beyond individual workers, potentially impacting Vietnam's rapidly growing digital economy and consumer delivery services that have become essential to urban life. Industry analysts warn that sustained high fuel prices could force platform companies to increase service fees or reduce worker incentives, creating additional pressure on both consumers and contractors.
As global tensions continue around the Hormuz blockade, Vietnam's gig workers remain caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflicts far from their daily routes, highlighting the vulnerability of informal economies to international supply chain disruptions.