Vietnam is trying hard to strengthen its economy and increase the standard of living for all Vietnamese. As in any developing country there is a growing middle class and small upper class who have money to spend. All of the high end consumer products are available to the small percentage who can afford them.
Thankfully at the same time, the number of people considered to be below the poverty line is decreasing and is now estimated at about 10% of the population. However many people must manage on very low incomes.
Vietnam is considering raising its minimum wage standard which varies from region to region. (In a country like this, the cost of living in cities is much higher than in the countryside.) You may wonder what minimum wage might be in Vietnam. Presently it varies from $40 to $65 per month (not a typo) depending on the region. It may soon be raised to from $67 - $96 per month.
This is why in many stores there are four times as many clerks as in a Canadian store; why at our apartment building they can afford to have six or eight security guards and many women employed to sweep, mop and clean the public areas. This is why things made in Vietnam (as in other developing countries) are so inexpensive in your local Walmart.
Living among so many who have so little, it is why we always tip those who deliver water or groceries to us; why we tip in low end restaurants where it is not expected; and rarely bargain hard for the very lowest price (we do still bargain - we aren't naive). Our perspective is that without debate the person we are dealing with needs that extra dollar much more than we do.
I loved what happened a while ago when a Canadian friend visited. We took her to a small shop owned by a Vietnamese Christian couple we know. After purchasing a few things, the owner offered her a discount because she was a Christian. Our friend refused to accept the discount. Christian generosity was demonstrated both by the Vietnamese owner and demonstrated by the Canadian customer.
What great Good News the Bible offers: that every person is created in the image of God; that every person we meet is one for whom Christ died; that in God's eyes there is no lower, middle or upper class; that God has special concern for those who are poor and vulnerable. May each of us always see people the way God views them.
Thankfully at the same time, the number of people considered to be below the poverty line is decreasing and is now estimated at about 10% of the population. However many people must manage on very low incomes.
Vietnam is considering raising its minimum wage standard which varies from region to region. (In a country like this, the cost of living in cities is much higher than in the countryside.) You may wonder what minimum wage might be in Vietnam. Presently it varies from $40 to $65 per month (not a typo) depending on the region. It may soon be raised to from $67 - $96 per month.
This is why in many stores there are four times as many clerks as in a Canadian store; why at our apartment building they can afford to have six or eight security guards and many women employed to sweep, mop and clean the public areas. This is why things made in Vietnam (as in other developing countries) are so inexpensive in your local Walmart.
Living among so many who have so little, it is why we always tip those who deliver water or groceries to us; why we tip in low end restaurants where it is not expected; and rarely bargain hard for the very lowest price (we do still bargain - we aren't naive). Our perspective is that without debate the person we are dealing with needs that extra dollar much more than we do.
I loved what happened a while ago when a Canadian friend visited. We took her to a small shop owned by a Vietnamese Christian couple we know. After purchasing a few things, the owner offered her a discount because she was a Christian. Our friend refused to accept the discount. Christian generosity was demonstrated both by the Vietnamese owner and demonstrated by the Canadian customer.
What great Good News the Bible offers: that every person is created in the image of God; that every person we meet is one for whom Christ died; that in God's eyes there is no lower, middle or upper class; that God has special concern for those who are poor and vulnerable. May each of us always see people the way God views them.
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