Ten years ago, most Vietnamese shoppers would not have dreamed of buying a television — or even a bag of rice — without seeing it first. Today, Vietnam has one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia, worth more than 20 billion US dollars a year. Platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and Tiki deliver millions of packages daily, from electronics to fresh food.
Several factors explain this rapid growth. First, around three quarters of Vietnamese people now own a smartphone, and mobile payment apps have made online transactions quick and safe. Second, the young population is comfortable with technology: people under 35 make up the majority of online shoppers. Finally, sellers attract customers with big discount campaigns, especially on special dates like 11 November, when some shops cut prices by up to 70 per cent.
Nevertheless, e-commerce still faces challenges in Vietnam. Many customers complain about poor product quality — the item that arrives sometimes looks very different from the photos online. Delivery to rural areas remains slow and expensive. Perhaps most importantly, many Vietnamese still prefer to pay in cash when the package arrives, which shows that trust in online payment is not yet complete.
Despite these problems, experts predict that the market will double in size within five years. For traditional shops, the message is clear: go online, or risk being left behind.
Every summer, thousands of Vietnamese students put on green shirts and travel to remote villages. They repair roads, teach children, and help farmers with the harvest. This movement, known as the "Green Summer" campaign, has been running for more than twenty-five years and shows how popular volunteering has become among young people.
Why do people volunteer when they receive no money for their work? The most common answer is simple: it feels good to help others. But research shows that volunteers gain much more than a warm feeling. They develop practical skills such as teamwork, planning and communication — exactly the skills that employers look for. Many young people also make lifelong friends during volunteer trips.
Volunteering can even improve your health. Studies have found that people who volunteer regularly feel less stressed and more satisfied with their lives. For older people, volunteering provides a sense of purpose after retirement and keeps them socially active.
You do not need to join a big campaign to make a difference. Helping an elderly neighbour, teaching English to children in your area, or cleaning up a local park are all valuable forms of volunteering. As the saying goes, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."