The study by the Institute for Sustainable Development at the National Economics University Vietnam in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) found outdoor workers primarily rely on their own coping strategies to manage health issues caused by extreme temperatures rather than waiting for external assistance.
When experiencing heat-related symptoms, the vast majority of these workers, or 86.8%, choose to temporarily stop working to avoid further exposure, according to the survey conducted on 734 workers across Vietnam's two largest cities in the study released last week.
In both cities, where heat impact is magnified by high building density, and a large concentration of informal workers, many ride-hailing drivers, construction workers, and street vendors are forced to seek shade and take breaks to avoid heat exhaustion on days when outdoor temperatures exceed 40 C.
Street vendors were the most severely affected group, losing an average of 2.9 hours daily.
A street vendor is seen resting in the shade in Hanoi, May 25, 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Tung Dinh
