Daily Life In Hanoi Continues Unabated Despite Work From Home Call To Save On Fuel Costs

From Nur Athirah Mohd Shaharuddin

HANOI, March 14 (Bernama) – Despite the war in West Asia that has spiked oil prices, the people of Vietnam seem oblivious to the consequent inflationary pressures, especially for a nation that depends significantly on imported crude oil.

A casual observation by this reporter on assignment in Hanoi seems to indicate that the people are not aware of the fallout of the global crisis happening some 6,000 kilometres away, with the roar from the large number of motorcycles, lorries, and cars on the streets here, as motorists race to get to their destinations.

Businesses continued to be brisk with markets and roadside stalls a hive of lively activity as residents went about their usual routine of buying groceries and daily necessities. Young people gathered along streets and cafés, enjoying themselves as the war raged in West Asia.

But the reality is that fuel disruptions far away from here, especially through the critical Strait of Hormuz, where oil tankers, including those bound for Asia, are being attacked, can affect ordinary Vietnamese. Higher prices of oil imports will have a telling effect on the prices of goods and services. This can hit the daily lives of the 100 million or so people of Vietnam really hard, eventually, if the war is protracted.

What is baffling is that the government’s call for people to work from home (WFH) to save on fuel costs, as the war in West Asia disrupts oil supplies, seems to have fallen on deaf ears. This was evident by the constant honking of vehicles and the traffic congestion and gridlock, with the hustle and bustle, which is part of everyday life in Hanoi, continuing unabated.

Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade has encouraged its citizens to work remotely amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

According to news reports, prices for gasoline in Vietnam had risen by 32 per cent, diesel by 56 per cent, and kerosene by 80 per cent by the end of February.

This writer believes that the Vietnamese are not so inclined to WFH because the services and manufacturing sectors are key pillars of the country’s economy. These sectors require many tasks and responsibilities to be carried out in person, and for manufacturing and services activities to continue as usual.

This is more so as the government’s call for people to WFH was merely an encouragement rather than a compulsory directive.

As the writer noticed, the day was no different from any other day since arriving in the country a few days ago.

Perhaps the time will come when ordinary folks will tighten their belts once higher prices hit their pockets and diminish their purchasing power. Then, they might be forced to WFH.

Tourism is an important revenue earner for Vietnam. When visiting several locations, the writer noticed tourists from many countries, including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, China, and several European countries.

A Malaysian passenger on the flight to Hanoi said the purpose of his trip was for work, adding that he and his team regularly travel to Vietnam for business purposes. He told me that the airfare for this trip was higher compared with the same period last year and said this was partly due to the conflict in West Asia, which has raised fuel surcharges and airfares.

It was surprising that two Vietnamese participants at a programme organised by a renowned international courier company, as well as a Hong Kong national working in Vietnam, were unaware of the government’s announcement of the WFH initiative.

One of the participants, Nhu Phan, 31, told Bernama she was aware of the global increase in fuel prices, including in Vietnam, and the tensions in West Asia, but not the government’s WFH announcement. When asked whether she would prefer working from home or from the office if given a choice, Phan, who works as an account manager at a private company, said she would prefer a hybrid arrangement.

"Because for me, I need to manage the team. So, I cannot manage the team remotely. It is not efficient," she said.

Asked about her concerns over potential fuel supply shortages and rising fuel prices in the country, she said that while she had noticed the recent price increase within just a week, she was more concerned about inflation. "The hike in fuel prices will affect all costs, such as food and lifestyle. So, we are not worried about the fuel itself. We are more worried about inflation," she added.

Since the government’s suggestion for people to work remotely remained an optional measure rather than mandatory, many have chosen to ignore it as of now.

As such, daily activities, businesses, and services, including those in the tourism sector, continue to thrive as normal in the country. But these are early days yet for Vietnam, and things might change later, especially so for a country that imports significant amounts of crude oil and petroleum products.

-- BERNAMA