The relative, older than me, used to work in Japan, toiling day and night and sending as much money as he could back home. He told his family could buy a plot of land, which he believed would give him a much-needed head start once he returned. He later heard the land had appreciated to VND2 billion.
When he came home excited at the gain, his family casually told him: “We never bought the property.” They explained the money he sent was put into a savings account instead. Frustrated but unsure what to do, he asked for the money back, but his family refused.
The thing is, everyone else in our family knew for a fact that they had bought the land but gave it to his younger brother when he got married.
I also have a younger relative who, after graduating high school, went overseas to work and saved diligently to support his family back home. In months when he held back due to unfavorable exchange rates, his family constantly complained and pressured him. Yet any money he remitted would vanish due to their reckless spending.
Many Vietnamese working abroad, especially in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, entrust their money to their parents or siblings to manage, invest, buy real estate or simply just keep safe. They assume family ties come with trust and honesty, only to discover otherwise when they return.
People often blame them for not managing their own money, but few understand their circumstances. For many of these overseas workers, sending money home is expected and seen as a natural responsibility or an expression of filial duty.
In these cases, the one at fault is not them, but their untrustworthy relatives. If the money was gifted to them, they can spend it as they see fit. However, if it was meant for investment, it should be managed responsibly.
We are so used to the idea that our parents would keep our assets safe that we often overlook how circumstances can shift when asset values soar and “siblings at home are struggling.”
If you are working abroad, it is wise to keep your assets in your own name and your money in your own bank account, whether through international or savings accounts. These might not be the most profitable options, but they offer security.
It is better to take care of yourself first in these situations. You have sacrificed your youth and endured loneliness abroad for a better future, so you deserve to have control over it.
*This opinion was submitted by a reader. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.
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