Rolling Through the 36 Streets of Hanoi: A Night Shipper’s Story

Group4: bk.group4.term126@gmail.com 07/12/2025 22:01 GMT+7

Hanoi – Beneath the soft glow of streetlights and the quiet stillness of the city at night, food delivery riders weave through narrow alleys on their motorbikes, working tirelessly to bring meals and essentials to customers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_3Wb5NwqiI

[VIDEO]: A shipper's nightlife. Created by Group 4

After 10 p.m., demand for late-night meals has grown noticeably among young people. Many university students stay up to finish assignments, office workers continue unfinished tasks, and others spend late hours gaming or relaxing. Instead of going out to look for food, most opt for delivery apps because of their convenience.

A Sharp Rise in Late-Night Food Demand

The surge continues well past midnight. While the streets fall silent and only a handful of shops remain open, delivery riders enter their busiest hours. For each shift, Nguyễn Tiến Đạt (21 Years old, from Bắc Giang), who has worked the night shift for four years, handles between 10 and 12 orders, depending on distance and difficulty. From deserted roads to maze-like alleys with unclear house numbers, the job carries safety risks and unexpected situations—especially in poorly lit areas.

“Working from 10 p.m. to 2 or 3 a.m. means I always have to worry about my own safety,” Đạt said.

Nguyễn Tiến Đạt, night-shift delivery rider in Hanoi. Photo: Group 4

While the city sleeps, night-shift riders roam the empty streets carrying not only meals but also the pressure of constant deadlines. Each order tells a different story—sometimes amusing, sometimes tense. It might be a bowl of noodles, a late dinner, or a customized snack requested by night owls.

The first order of Đạt’s shift is a baguette and two cups of milk tea. It is a “stacked order,” meaning he must deliver to two separate locations. The bánh mì shop is still open but nearly empty. After checking the items, Đạt heads out quickly to stay on schedule.

Đat picking up his order of the night. Photo: Group 4

At the first location—a boarding house—the customer opens the door, takes the food, pays, and disappears inside without a word. Đạt glances at the time, then turns toward the second destination. The milk tea delivery is for a spa on a main street. The bright signage makes it easy to spot. A customer steps out, receives the drinks, and returns inside just as quickly. Đạt rides to the end of the street, takes a short break, then switches the app back on.

When Orders Get “Ghosted” at Midnight

Huy picking up his first order of the night. Photo: Group 4

Tạ Quang Huy (21, also from Bắc Giang), a night-shift rider for three years, has faced several costly situations—including a night when two bowls of beef noodle soup were rejected at around 12:30 a.m. When he arrived, both customers picked up the phone but said nothing. Under platform policy, the loss fell entirely on him.

“I was exhausted and frustrated, but there was nothing I could do,” Huy recalled. He advises night riders to prioritize clear addresses, avoid unusually distant orders, and stay alert for suspicious signs, especially when support is limited during late hours.

Huy interviewed during the report. Photo: Group 4

Huy’s story is not uncommon. According to a quick survey conducted by our reporting team, night-shift riders encounter one to two ghosted orders per night, particularly in areas with many students or office workers who stay up late.

Platforms such as Now, GrabFood, and Baemin apply strict reward–penalty mechanisms, meaning riders must work fast while also shouldering the risk of unpaid orders.

Silver Linings of Working the Night Shift

Despite its risks, night delivery work offers several advantages that attract young riders. First is higher income, thanks to late-hour bonuses and increased demand. Đạt shared that he earns 300,000 to 400,000 VND per night on average.

With empty roads and no traffic jams, riders can move faster and save time. Many young workers also value the flexible schedule, allowing them to work at night while attending school or holding daytime jobs. Some say the quiet streets help them stay focused during their shifts.

Đạt chatting with another night-shift rider. Photo: Group 4

Their night unfolds quietly, no long conversations with customers, no cinematic moments. Just long stretches of road, quick exchanges at doorsteps, and the occasional encounter with a fellow rider from the same hometown.

Behind the uniform jackets and the hurried rides through the night are young workers full of energy and determination. At an age when many are still unsure about the future, they choose to confront real challenges: empty streets, safety risks, ghosted orders, and deliveries that stretch past midnight. Yet they rarely complain. Instead, they take pride in their discipline, initiative, and work ethic.

Every order, every dimly lit alley is a lesson, how to handle problems, communicate effectively, and keep themselves safe. They do not work passively; they grow through the job each day. As Huy said, “This job makes us mature much faster.”

In a city whose nightlife continues to expand, these young riders form an essential part of the urban landscape. They adapt quickly to changing social needs, embrace the hours few others choose, and turn pressure into a chance to build resilience. Night delivery work, therefore, is not only a means of earning a living but also a reflection of a young generation that is dynamic, eager to learn, and unafraid of challenges.

Report by: Group 4