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Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, approximately 10 million Americans are looking to transition from full-time to freelance work, with 73% citing the desire to continue working remotely and flexibly, according to a recent survey by the job network Upwork. In Vietnam, the freelance trend is growing as companies tighten their belts on full-time employees and offer more flexible arrangements for freelancers.
I chose freelance work in 2021, a turbulent year both economically and in general, following a long period affected by the pandemic. Having previously worked as a marketing employee at an advertising company, it wasn't too difficult for me to find work-from-home opportunities.
It's a habit, not just of me but of many other young freelancers, to bring our laptops to cafes with nice spaces to work.
The initial period was challenging as I no longer received a regular monthly salary of 8 million VND. Instead, I found small, odd jobs that I "hunted" on groups that provided and exchanged work for freelancers and independent workers like myself.
The work started small and gradually became regular weekly as I accumulated enough professional experience and knowledge in customer service and persuading clients to use my services. As a freelancer, I took on the role of a miniature department with all the necessary positions because I knew that if I wasn't quick, I would lose everything, like the big fish slipping through my fingers, rendering my "fishing" trip fruitless.
As evening fell, in a small cafe on Hang Tre Street in Hanoi, with just enough space for four tables and a few chairs, I met Duong Giang (25 years old). He is currently a freelance worker striving to become a travel blogger in the future.
- I have a dream of exploring many places. Working in an office, I'm stuck in one place and don't know what my goals are, especially after COVID-19, which has sparked a feeling of needing to explore and travel everywhere.
Duong Giang - a young man with a passion for producing videos related to nature and travel.
He said he would "plan to research work so he can travel more and live the life he wants." Recently, the trend of working from home and freelance work among young people has been increasing. This is partly due to the impact of the pandemic, and partly because the work habits and mindsets of young people have changed significantly.
Before becoming a content creator on platforms like TikTok and Facebook, Duong Giang graduated and worked in an office like many other young people. However, the monotonous 8-hour workday in the office made him feel bored and exhausted. Gradually, the idea of starting his own business began to take shape, leading him to decide to leave the stable office environment. I asked him:
Why did Giang choose to become a freelancer?
"I've been making my own money through trading since I was young, I'm used to being independent," Duong Giang replied.
Giang always strives to build a team where people learn, work, and produce together.
Becoming a freelancer, the gains and losses are personal considerations. Freelancing gives me a lot of time, and it also pushes me to be faster and more proactive in honing my skills and seeking out work opportunities. As for Duong Giang, she thinks about freedom:
- You gain freedom, but you also lose that very freedom. Because you have to maintain discipline and constantly pursue your goals, even a moment of carelessness or negligence can easily lead you to lose sight of your desired objective.
He further emphasized:
- The goal remains freedom but also prosperity. When I first started, with 7 million VND, it wasn't enough to buy a nice phone for filming, so I had to utilize every opportunity to learn. I worked part-time to make ends meet. Anyway, having a side job to support my passion is better.
As time went on, Duong Giang became more and more focused on his work. He became more passionate and enthusiastic after the initial challenges. He also completely abandoned temporary jobs to concentrate on building a new team. In the next three years, his team aims to produce 999 videos to upload to various channels.
He is particularly interested in nature. Through his travel videos, he hopes to raise awareness among people about common environmental issues such as waste and climate change.
Cat Ba Island is the location that Duong Giang chose to produce many of his videos.
Hopefully, through these two stories, Travellive readers can form their own opinions and perspectives on the trend of freelance work. Whether working full-time, in administration, or as a freelancer, taking initiative in one's career and life in general is what truly brings stability, rather than choosing a stable job amidst soaring prices.
