VietNamNet Bridge – For some, Tet is a time to spend—be it on gifts, food or decorations. For others, it is a time to save. Recently, more and more college students have decided the holiday is a perfect time to make some extra cash.

Students have found it easy to find sales jobs as stores stock up to sell goods for Tet and thus need more manpower. While students can find work in many fields, sales jobs seem to be the easiest and most profitable to do for just a short time.

Hoang Thi Nhan, owner of a clothing store on Van Mieu Street in Dong Da District, said that she hired students every year around the time of Tet because regular employees often went back to their hometowns early.

"I like employing students because they are agile and intelligent, and know how to attract customers," she said. Nguyen Manh Duy, a first-year student at the Viet Nam Trade University, said he has been working for the two months leading up to Tet at a store that sells wool scarves and hats, and was paid VND55,000 (US$2.75) a day.

"The pay is not very high, but it's good that I don't have to ask my parents," he said.

Duy works every morning and goes to university in the afternoon. He has found that working in a shop has improved his people skills and made him more confident.

Nguyen Phuong Linh, a student from the northern province of Yen Bai, is grateful that her part-time job has made it possible for her to afford a train ticket home for Tet.

"I searched job opportunities on the internet, and was recruited after one interview," she said. Linh also works at a clothing store.

Despite the benefits of part-time work, students with jobs have also faced some challenges.

Duy said that he was often tired after work and struggled to concentrate on his studies. Linh lamented that when customers stole goods under her supervision, she was forced to compensate her employer for the lost items and handed over half of her salary to do so.

To Minh Huong, a lecturer at the Water Resources University, said she encourages her students to find part-time work as long as it did not affect their studies.

"It's good for students to be self-motivated and have extra spending money, but I have to remind them not to forget their exams."

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News