The Holiday Rush: Delivery Companies Gear Up for the Festive Season

Ms. Thuy Linh, owner of a bedding store in Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi, shared that her products are seasonal and especially in high demand during peak seasons. This year, the cold season in the North came later, and customers took advantage of the 11/11 and 12/12 sales to buy products for the upcoming Tet holiday, resulting in a sales increase of several dozen times compared to regular days.

Mr. Xuan Huy, owner of Huy Fashion in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, specializes in fashion and beauty products. He affirmed that there are usually many promotions for beauty and fashion products during the year-end period. Customers mainly purchase online to take advantage of discounts and free shipping offers.

The surge in online shopping during the year-end period has led to a significant increase in delivery needs. Recently, J&T Express (Global) announced that the brand handled over 100 million parcels worldwide on 12/11. In Vietnam alone, the number of orders after the 11/11 sale increased by 177% compared to the same period last year. This not only reflects the growing trend of online shopping but also highlights the crucial role of delivery drivers in ensuring a seamless online shopping experience.

Mr. Nam Son, a delivery driver at the J&T Express post office in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, shared his experience during the year-end peak season: “During the high season, I usually start working at 6 am, and there are still orders coming in as late as 10 pm. The number of parcels increases severalfold compared to regular days, so we have to keep moving non-stop. There’s barely any time for a lunch break, so I just grab a quick bite of a sandwich to continue with the deliveries.”

Despite the higher income during the peak season, Mr. Nam shared that the pressure and challenges are not to be underestimated. To perform well, delivery drivers need to be familiar with the routes, manage their time effectively, and plan their movements to optimize delivery times. During the year-end and Tet holiday periods, they also need to be more careful and attentive when delivering unique items such as potted plants, food, alcohol, and fragile goods.

In addition, delivery drivers often face unpredictable situations, such as dealing with fake orders, getting stuck in traffic jams, or even being misunderstood by customers due to the increasingly sophisticated scams involving impersonation of delivery drivers.

Furthermore, during the winter months in the North, delivery drivers like Mr. Lo Thanh Hieu from J&T Express in Muong Lay, Dien Bien, have to contend with harsh weather conditions. “It’s challenging at the year-end with the increase in orders, but it also means more income. It gets so cold that even the trees freeze. Sometimes, I have to set off when it’s still dark, navigating through the fog to deliver orders in remote areas, covering dozens of kilometers on winding mountain roads. There are sections that are impassable, so I have to take alternative routes, and that’s why I start my day early to ensure timely deliveries for the locals,” shared Mr. Hieu.

While the surge in online orders during sales events presents an opportunity for sellers to boost their revenue, it also brings the challenge of managing a sudden increase in order volume. This challenge is not only faced by sellers but also by delivery companies. Anticipating the market demand, most delivery companies prepare in advance to meet the year-end and peak-season delivery needs.

J&T Express shared that to meet the rising demand for deliveries ahead of the Lunar New Year, they have increased their workforce by 20% and implemented supportive policies to ensure the well-being of their delivery drivers.

They have also considered investing in vehicles and modern technology to enhance their capacity and ensure the smooth flow of goods during the Lunar New Year 2025.