Early Tet bonus for new workers: How to retain personnel
Not only long-term employees, those who have just started working for a few months are also rewarded with Tet bonuses by many businesses to encourage morale.
Tet bonuses are not only for "old people
These days, Mr. Bui Quang Thanh, born in 2003, is happily celebrating Tet with his family in Hai Duong ward (Hai Phong city).
Mr. Thanh graduated from the Faculty of Law (University of Labor and Social Affairs) in July 2025. After a few months of probation, he was officially hired as an employee of a notary office in Ha Dong ward (Hanoi), with a starting fixed salary of 7,500,000 VND, excluding allowances and some other benefits.
According to Mr. Thanh's sharing, having a job that promotes his learned knowledge is a lucky thing for him. Not to mention, although he has only been working for a short time, working as an official employee since October 2025, he will still receive a Tet bonus from the company for the 2026 Lunar New Year.
“A long-time employee receives the 13th month salary, and I am rewarded 3 million VND by the company. The amount may not be large for many people, but for me, this is a very meaningful amount of money. I will give this money to my mother to shop for Tet and proudly boast that this is the company's Tet bonus. The policy of concern and humanity makes me feel very warm, telling myself to try harder in my work...”, Mr. Thanh shared.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa - a saleswoman at a commercial enterprise in Lang ward (Hanoi), said that she has only been working for more than 5 months but still received a Tet bonus of half a month's salary, equivalent to 4 million VND.
Receiving the bonus, I feel very warm. I feel recognized, not considered outsiders. This is also a motivation for a new employee like me to try harder in the coming year," Ms. Hoa shared.
Reality shows that more and more businesses are no longer rigid in only giving Tet bonuses to employees who have worked for enough years. Instead, policies are designed more flexibly, considering Tet bonuses as sharing and spiritual encouragement instead of purely seniority bonuses. Some places reward in kind, some places as the 13th month salary according to the working time ratio, some businesses choose Tet gifts, shopping vouchers or bus ticket support to go home...
Positive impact on workers' psychology
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong - former Director of the Institute of Labor Science and Social Affairs assessed that for new workers, the early stages of work often come with many pressures: not familiar with the environment, unstable income, high living costs, especially for migrant workers. A Tet bonus, even if small, also helps them reduce financial worries and have more motivation to stick together.
Many workers admit that this concern makes them change their mindset about the company. In the context of fierce labor competition, especially in industries with high labor volatility rates, the mental factor plays an equally important role to salaries. Tet bonuses for workers are the way businesses send a message: all contributions are recognized, whether working time is long or short," Ms. Lan Huong said.
Mr. Ngo Dinh Doanh - Director of Hoang Minh Trading and Export Co., Ltd. (Cua Nam ward, Hanoi) shared that looking from his own business, Tet bonuses for new personnel, businesses "get more than they lose".
Tet bonuses for new employees do not increase costs too much if calculated reasonably, on the contrary, the benefits are quite clear. First of all, this policy helps reduce the risk of workers quitting their jobs after Tet - a time that is considered the "climate" of the wave of job hopping. The open Tet bonus policy also helps businesses build a positive image in the labor market. In an era of rapid information spread, the story of "the company giving Tet bonuses to new employees" easily creates goodwill and attracts candidates in subsequent recruitment rounds," Mr. Doanh assessed.
Mr. Vu Quang Thanh - Deputy Director of Hanoi Employment Service Center said that Tet bonuses for new workers are not a mandatory policy, but clearly reflect the personnel philosophy of businesses. In the context that workers increasingly value the working environment, corporate culture and respect, seemingly small actions create great value.
According to Mr. Thanh, in the long term, the attachment of workers comes not only from high salaries but also from the feeling of being recognized and treated fairly. When businesses are willing to share achievements with even newcomers, they are also laying the foundation for a stable personnel team, ready to accompany them on the long road ahead.
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