Special New Year's Eve Party of the Landlord
At the end of the year, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong (38 years old) organized a year-end party for workers at a boarding house in Binh Tan district, Ho Chi Minh City. Although not well-off, she always has special affection and care for poor workers, hoping to bring them a warm Tet like a family.
The New Year's Eve dinner she organized was unlike any other. It was not only a delicious meal but also an opportunity for workers to meet, share joys and sorrows, and feel the care of the landlord.
Ms. Hong prepared 6 banquet tables, 4 of which were reserved for the workers renting the house, one for guests, and one for the neighbors. Each banquet table was meticulously prepared, with familiar rustic dishes such as banh chung, pickled shallots, fresh spring rolls, grilled chicken with banh mi, and fruits, all prepared by Ms. Hong and the sisters in the boarding house. The joyful, warm atmosphere like a family spread throughout the boarding house.
What is even more special is that Ms. Hong invited 4 artists to perform for the residents in the boarding house. The sweet songs and cheerful melodies helped dispel the worries and fatigue of the workers. The attendees not only enjoyed delicious food but also immersed themselves in the musical space, creating a wonderful evening, full of laughter and joy.
Ms. Hong also organized a lottery program with 6 attractive prizes for workers and laborers. The bright smiles and happy eyes when receiving prizes and lucky money made the Tet atmosphere more cozy and filled with love.
The daily stories, concerns about work and family of the workers in the boarding house were also shared, comforted and sympathized with each other. Ms. Truc Han, currently unemployed, did not return home for Tet because her two children were still young and the economy was difficult. "I used to work at a garment company with a salary of 8 million VND/month, but last year the company encountered difficulties, my husband and I both lost our jobs, life was very difficult. But when I came to this party, I felt like I was given more strength, because not only the landlady but the whole boarding house cared for each other. This is not just a meal, but also affection, sharing in difficult days" - Ms. Han shared.
Landlords and workers see each other as family
Not only at Ms. Hong's boarding house, at boarding house No. 12, Street 20, Quarter 8, Binh Hung Hoa A Ward, Binh Tan District, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Nuong (39 years old) and her mother and sisters in the boarding house cooked a New Year's Eve meal to celebrate Tet with everyone. Ms. Nuong, the boarding house manager, said: "Every year, the number of people staying to celebrate Tet at the boarding house increases, so this year I decided to cook a meal for the whole neighborhood. Everyone here has their own circumstances, but we all see each other as a family."
The whole boarding house prepared the party together, from buying ingredients to preparing food, the happy and warm atmosphere spread everywhere. Ms. Nuong also personally decorated the boarding house, placing Tet miniatures so that everyone could check-in and feel the spring atmosphere. For those who could not return home for Tet, the year-end meal at the boarding house was a special occasion for them to feel the connection and love from people in the same situation.
Ms. Vo Thi Ba, a construction worker, shared: "My job this year is unstable, my income has decreased a lot, so I did not return home for Tet. But when I came to the party at the boarding house, I felt warm. Here, we are not just people living next to each other, but a family. Everyone takes care of and cares for each other."
According to the representative of Binh Tan District Labor Federation, on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025, the unit also coordinated with local landlords to prepare a year-end meal and give gifts to workers in difficult circumstances.
Accordingly, the unit chose 6 lodging locations in Binh Tan district to organize the year-end party.
