Many years of "staying aside" New Year's Eve
Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Ka and her husband (workers at Ching Luh Vietnam Footwear Co., Ltd.) and their 2 children will return to their hometown of Ninh Binh for Tet thanks to the "Trade Union Flight". She came to Tay Ninh to work nearly 20 years ago, then got married and stabilized her life far from home. Long roads, expensive travel, while life is still difficult, so she rarely returns to her hometown. "Usually, my family only returns to their hometown once every 4 or 5 years.
The last time I went home was 4 years ago. This year, at first, my husband and I did not intend to go home for Tet, waiting for next year. But when we heard information that the Trade Union supported air tickets, my husband and I changed and returned," the female worker said.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Ka and her husband were supported by the Trade Union with air tickets and each person included a ticket for one child. It is expected that on the afternoon of the 25th of Tet, her family will board a plane to return to their hometown. "Since knowing the information that the whole family received free tickets to return to their hometown, my parents have been very happy, often calling to ask about the situation. They are looking forward to meeting their children and grandchildren," the female worker said. According to her calculations, thanks to the bus ticket support, she saved a considerable amount of money. She booked a return ticket to take the initiative to return to work after Tet.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Ka expressed her gratitude to the Trade Union organization for organizing this meaningful activity so that workers who are expatriates and still face many difficulties like her have the opportunity to return to their hometown for Tet and reunite with their loved ones in the most sacred moment of the new year.
Social security caregiver and unexpected happiness
Sharing that joy is Ms. Thuy Ngan, a trade union official in Tan Binh ward, Ho Chi Minh City. As a typical example of "Good people, good deeds", Ms. Ngan devoted her youth to caring for thousands of workers in difficult circumstances. But few people know that the enthusiastic official himself has also had 26 years of "missing appointments" with Tet in his hometown.
Because the income of grassroots trade union officials is still modest, Ms. Ngan only dares to visit her hometown on weekdays with cheap tickets. "New Year's Eve is when my heart is weakest. Seeing people reunite, I can only stand in a corner and cry because I miss my parents and siblings. But then I tell myself to be strong and overcome it," Ms. Ngan said.
This year, thanks to outstanding achievements in her work, she was awarded a plane ticket by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour to return to her hometown to reunite with her family. For her, this is a sweet compensation for more than two decades of dedication. "The program has shown the close attention of leaders not only to workers but also to the grassroots trade union officials - those who also have a hard life," Ms. Ngan shared before boarding the plane.
The program "Trade Union Flight - Spring 2026" organized by the VGCL in coordination with Vietnam Airlines is an important bridge of affection. Speaking at the send-off ceremony, Mr. Phan Van Anh, Vice President of the VGCL affirmed that the Vietnam Trade Union is always a reliable support, representing the interests of the working class.
Mr. Phan Van Anh emphasized: "Understanding the desire to return to reunite after a year of hard work, we implement this program as a bridge connecting geographical distance, bringing workers back to the warm embrace of their families.
The Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour also said that the scale of the program has been constantly expanding. From the start of 2023, to Binh Ngo Tet 2026, the program has organized 3 specialized flights, bringing more than 550 union members home. These free air tickets are not only a means of transportation, but also "spring flights" full of love and responsibility of the Party, State and Trade Union organization towards workers.
The journey of Ms. Mai Ka, Ms. Ngan and hundreds of other union members and workers returning to their hometowns to reunite with their families for Tet is shortening. After the Tet holiday, they will return with a new spirit and spirit, continuing to contribute to the development of the country with more brilliant faith after a complete reunion spring.
For many years, every Tet holiday, when Spring comes, Vietnam Airlines has coordinated with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour to organize the program "Trade Union Flights" to realize the dream of reunion, helping workers have a truly meaningful Tet of union members. The scale of the program is constantly expanding both in terms of the number of flights and the number of union members benefiting.
Mr. Dao Manh Kien, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, Chairman of the Vietnam Airlines Trade Union shared: "Each given ticket is not just a seat position on the flight but a bridge connecting Tet reunion for employees. We believe that the success of a business is not only measured by numbers, but also by the happy smiles of employees when reuniting with loved ones after a long year of separation.
To ensure flights are organized safely, thoughtfully and meaningfully, bringing the most complete return journey for workers, Vietnam Airlines has mobilized the entire system, from the operating block to ground services to participate. At the airport, passengers are served at a separate check-in counter, seeing off with a solemn ceremony. In the passenger cabin, the Vietnamese Tet atmosphere is subtly recreated through dedicated service, as a tribute to the silent contributions of workers over the past year. Meaningful flights are meaningful gifts that the VGCL and Vietnam Airlines together give to workers, opening a new year full of hope and complete happiness.
Trans-East
