Nearly 2 years of war between Russia and Ukraine have caused many difficulties for Hai Duong people in Russia.
Tighten spending
In February 2022, the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, dealing a heavy blow to the global economy, which had been weakened over the previous two years by the Covid-19 pandemic. To date, the US and more than 40 other countries have imposed a series of sanctions against Russia. These are the most comprehensive and severe sanctions ever imposed on Russia in history. The ruble's devaluation, soaring military spending, and persistent labor shortages have caused prices to rise and Russia to face high inflation.
Along with the community of about 80,000 Vietnamese people, Hai Duong people in Russia are also directly affected, their work and business are facing many difficulties. Having worked and lived in Russia for 18 years, Mr. Tran Van Thuy, from Kinh Mon town, has never had such difficulties as now. Mr. Thuy is selling goods at Liu market. This is one of the largest wholesale markets in Moscow, distributing goods nationwide. The market has about 3,000 Vietnamese people, of which about 600-700 are from Hai Duong, specializing in selling clothes, shoes, and are owners of garment factories, restaurants, garment workers, etc.
Mr. Thuy said that the Covid-19 pandemic had just ended when the war broke out, causing people to fall into a more difficult situation. The most difficult thing was that the ruble was falling in value and increasing and decreasing erratically. Before the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, the ruble was traded at around 70-75/USD. After the war broke out, there were times when it peaked at 120-130 rubles to exchange for 1 USD.
“The price of goods follows the USD price. When the USD price goes up, the price of goods is forced to increase, which means that the price of goods imported from China also increases by 20-30%. People sell goods at high prices, so interest rates decrease, the quantity of goods consumed is even less, there is no profit. Not to mention the rental price of business premises also increases. The reality is even more difficult than the Covid-19 pandemic. All goods increase in price because the shipping fee is calculated according to the USD exchange rate, so people's shopping demand has decreased sharply. Not only Vietnamese people but also Russians have to limit travel, shopping, and tighten spending,” said Mr. Thuy.
Similarly, after spending about 13 years in a Vietnamese shopping center in Voronezh City, Ms. Le Thu Giang, from Hai Duong City, also learned a few things: without a strong spirit, it would be difficult to survive nearly 4 cold winters. The area where Ms. Giang lives has about 1,500 Vietnamese people, nearly 100 people from Hai Duong.
Ms. Giang said that people were so economically exhausted that their purchasing power was almost gone. Ms. Giang and many others had to quit selling clothes at the market and go work for restaurants to earn a living, because selling goods could not bear the costs and risks. Many elderly people chose to unload their goods to return to Vietnam. Many people who tried to stay put sometimes had nothing left. In the Chim market area, there are nearly 7,000 Vietnamese people doing business and trading in the same situation.
The war broke out, causing the supply of goods from other countries to be blocked, prices immediately increased by 30-50%, some items increased by 300-500%, causing workers' income to decrease by about half. Also living in Russia for nearly 20 years, Mr. Than Quang Phuong from Chi Linh City said that before, workers earned about 2,000 USD/month, but after the war, it was only about 1,000 - 1,500 USD/month. Rent, expenses, food and living expenses also increased, while income decreased by 20-30% due to the devaluation of the ruble, forcing them to tighten spending.
“For over a year now, I and many other Vietnamese people have stopped selling at Liu Market and switched to selling online to survive. Many people who stay at the market are also struggling to raise capital to maintain their businesses. Many have had to raise capital from relatives in Vietnam. Many Hai Duong restaurant owners have also had to temporarily close their stores. In general, it is very difficult, all because of the devaluation of the ruble,” said Mr. Phuong.
Hope peace returns soon
The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted the lives of most Vietnamese people in Russia, but they have gradually adapted to the new situation. Their greatest wish now is for peace to return soon.
Ms. Giang said that the economy is difficult and she lives in fear every day. This Tet, few people will return to Vietnam because airfare is expensive and they have to transit through several other countries. “For the sake of life, I have to make many sacrifices, especially being away from my husband and children. I hope the war will end soon so that life can return to normal,” Ms. Giang said.
Thuy's wife and son are in Hai Duong City. Although he misses his family very much, he cannot return to Vietnam this Tet. Thuy said that many people may not return because Russia is restricting the issuance of work permits. If they want to renew their work permits, the cost will be more expensive than before and it will not be easy. Thuy is staying in Russia to prepare to import goods from China to sell during the summer, and partly to wait for the ruble to increase in value to exchange for USD. "I hope that business will be as favorable as before. Although it is difficult, we will celebrate Tet together here and will make video calls to our family," Thuy said.
His wife and children are in Russia with Mr. Phuong, so he will not return to Vietnam this Tet. “I hope the war between Russia and Ukraine can end in 2024. That is my wish, but for us, no matter what, we will have to adapt. I hope the whole family will be able to celebrate Tet properly in Vietnam in 2025,” said Mr. Phuong.
THE ANH