Many farmers have come to Ho Chi Minh City from the Mekong Delta to find unseasonal jobs at a local facility that specializes in making decorations for the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

The farmers, who hail from such localities as Hau Giang, Kien Giang, and Can Tho, have been working at a workshop in outlying Binh Chanh District.

They are in charge of multiple tasks in the manufacturing of decorations and mascot statues inspired by the Year of the Buffalo, which is the zodiacal animal of the next lunar year starting on February 12.

These objects are often used to decorate shopping malls in downtown areas to attract more visitors before and during Tet holiday.

To save as much money as possible, the seasonal workers live at their workplace.

They brought along a hammock to sleep at night and a rice cooker to prepare their daily meals.

The income they earn will be used to support their families back in their hometowns as well as prepare for the upcoming farming season.

“The tasks are not very physically demanding but they do require some esthetic skills. We each earn about VND25-35 million [US$1,080-1,510] from these temporary gigs,” said Tran Vinh Xuyen, a resident in Can Tho.

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