Where To Find Side Hustles And Part-Time Jobs In Hong Kong

Tutoring

Private tutoring has become one of the most popular and reliable side hustles in Hong Kong, especially after its surge during the COVID era. With the city’s diverse population of both local and international students, there’s a consistent demand for quality tutors across all subjects.

Whether you're skilled in math, music, or languages like Chinese, Mandarin, English, French, or Japanese, there's always a student out there looking for extra support. Tutoring not only allows you to earn additional income but also gives you the chance to make a meaningful impact on someone's learning journey.

You can do it in the comforts of your own home and find students through the following platforms:

• My Private Tutor
• Tutor Seek

Do remember: While many tutoring positions, especially for English, may prefer or require certifications such as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), CELTA, or TESL, these credentials can often be obtained online or through in-person courses. However, if you're connecting with students through personal referrals or word of mouth, formal qualifications are often not necessary, and your experience and teaching style may speak for themselves.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing opportunities are widely available in Hong Kong through various online platforms and job boards. If you have a passion for writing and a knack for crafting compelling content, why not consider contributing to blogs, assisting with articles, or even writing for local businesses?

Here are some great platforms to help you get started with finding freelance writing gigs in Hong Kong:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Glassdoor

Dropshipping

With Hong Kong’s strategic location, reliable internet, and high smartphone penetration, dropshipping has emerged as a promising and accessible e-commerce side hustle. It’s an increasingly popular business model for those looking to start an online venture with minimal upfront investment.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where you sell products online without holding any inventory. When a customer places an order, the product ships directly from the supplier to the customer, saving you time, storage space, and risk.

How to Get Started

1. Choose a niche or product category you're passionate about or see demand for.
2. Find reliable suppliers: platforms like AliExpress, Oberlo, or CJdropshipping are commonly used.
3. Set up your online store using platforms like Shopify, which offers user-friendly templates and tools to help you launch quickly.
4. Market your store through social media, SEO, and paid ads to attract potential customers.

Shopify is one of the best platforms to begin your dropshipping journey. They offer step-by-step guidance and support to help you grow and scale your online business from the comfort of your home.

While dropshipping requires effort, research, and patience, it can become a lucrative side hustle once you gain momentum.

Baking

Baking is a fantastic side hustle that lets you turn your love for sweet creations into a potentially profitable and fulfilling business. It offers flexibility, creative freedom, and with Hong Kong’s love for unique and artisanal treats, it’s the perfect place to launch your baking venture.

Stay on Trend

Keep an eye on food and baking trends through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest. Whether it's mochi-filled cookies, minimalist cakes, or themed cupcakes, try putting your own creative spin on popular treats to stand out in a competitive market.

How to Find Clients in Hong Kong

• Start with your network: Let your friends, family, and community know you're open for business.
• Promote on social media: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are powerful tools for showcasing your baked goods through eye-catching photos, reels, and stories.
• Join local groups: Facebook groups, expat communities, and local food forums can be great places to share your offerings and gain new customers.

With the right mix of creativity, quality, and online presence, your baking side hustle could quickly grow into something much bigger!

Home Catering/Home-Cooked Meals

Like baking, catering is also a great idea for a side hustle. Catering allows for flexible hours and the ability to choose which events to work, making it easier to balance with other commitments. If catering is too big, you can start small by providing home-cooked meals to those who don't have time to spend in the kitchen.

With experience and positive reviews, caterers/home chefs can expand their business to handle larger events like weddings, increasing their earning potential. You can set your own rates and can often adjust pricing based on the specific event and client needs.

Remember to: Identify your target audience. Determine whether you specialize in corporate events, weddings, or other specific types of catering.

How to find clients in Hong Kong? 

• Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are great for promoting yourself.
• Focus on building relationships with venues
• Leveraging online platforms
• Utilizing local community connections

Handmade Crafts/DIY

Love getting creative? Turn your crafting hobby into a profitable side hustle! Whether you’re into handmade jewelry, crochet, custom clothing, scented candles, or personalized gifts, selling your homemade creations is a fun and fulfilling way to earn extra income—and share your passion with others.

How to Promote Your Crafts in Hong Kong

• Leverage social media: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and even Xiaohongshu are perfect for showcasing your work and building a loyal following.
• Set up an online store: Use platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or even local marketplaces such as Carousell and Pinkoi to reach more customers.
• Join local craft fairs and markets: Hong Kong has a growing scene of weekend pop-ups and artisan markets, great for networking and making sales in person.
• Collaborate with local businesses: Approach cafes, boutiques, or lifestyle stores to explore retail partnerships or cross-promotions.

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking

A large percentage of households in Hong Kong own pets, particularly dogs, and since many people here either work long hours or travel frequently, a pet sitter or dog walker is most certainly needed. This side hustle can be both fun and lucrative at the same time.

How to find clients in Hong Kong? Believe it or not, there are pet care platforms and apps that you can check out, such as:

• PetBacker
• Pet Sitting Diary
• TrustHousesitters
• Pawshake

Want to be a certified dog walker in Hong Kong? SPCA hosts a 6-day dog walker training course with a fee of HK$1,200. Having a certification will surely bring you in more clients immediately.

Virtual Assistant

Working as a virtual assistant as a side hustle in Hong Kong may also be a good option since the city has a strong business environment. There are many businesses and entrepreneurs that need help with things such as organizing emails, daily admin work, or social media. As a virtual assistant, you don't have to be in an office, and you can work remotely.

Where to apply? You can find virtual assistant work on job boards such as LinkedIn or Indeed.

Photography

Hong Kong’s vibrant culture, iconic skyline, and scenic neighborhoods make it a dream playground for photographers—and a great opportunity for a creative side hustle. Whether you're capturing the city's energy or sharing your skills with others, photography offers a flexible and fulfilling way to earn extra income.

There are plenty of avenues to explore, including:

• Event photography (weddings, parties, corporate)
• Portrait sessions (families, professionals, couples)
• Stock photography for online platforms
• Tourism-focused photography, capturing the beauty of Hong Kong for blogs, magazines, or travel sites
• Photography lessons or workshops, teaching beginners or hobbyists

One of the biggest perks? You can set your own schedule, take on projects that match your interests, and even offer special packages or rates to attract new clients.

Remember to: Create a strong online presence and have a portfolio ready to present to future clients. Shopify gives excellent details on how to profit from photography.

Translation Services

Hong Kong’s multicultural environment and linguistic diversity make it a hotspot for translation work—a flexible and in-demand side hustle. With Cantonese, Mandarin, and English being the most commonly spoken languages, there’s a constant need for skilled translators to help bridge communication gaps between local and Mainland businesses and international clients.

But it doesn’t stop there—there's also demand for translators fluent in French, Japanese, Korean, and other languages, especially in industries like hospitality, education, e-commerce, and legal services.

One of the biggest advantages? Translation work can often be done remotely, giving you the flexibility to manage your time and take on projects that fit around your other commitments.

Where to apply? Check out translating agencies like Elite Asia.

Do remember: Emphasize your language fluency, translation experience, and familiarity with CAT tools (computer-assisted translation).