Vietnam sees rise in 'Sunday Scaries' anxiety among young workers

The so‑called “Sunday Scaries” – a feeling of anxiety that appears on Sunday evenings as the work week approaches – is becoming common among young Vietnamese adults. Cases described include Minh, a 27‑year‑old marketing employee in Hanoi, who feels a rapid heartbeat, stomach discomfort and an inability to relax after a weekend social outing, and Thu, a 23‑year‑old freelancer who experiences lethargy, negative thoughts about wasted weekend time and looming work pressure.

Clinical psychologist Hoàng Quốc Lân of Phương Đông General Hospital notes that the syndrome is driven by the brain’s anticipation of future workload and stress, even when no concrete tasks have yet begun. He stresses that the condition is not classified as a formal mental disorder but is a frequent psychological reaction observed in both office staff and freelancers across Vietnam.