From early morning, Tan Son Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City was filled with laughter and joy of workers preparing to return home after many years away.
For them, this flight is not just a journey, but also a dream of returning to their loved ones and family in the warm atmosphere of the first days of spring.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyen (48 years old, from Can Loc district, Ha Tinh) could not hide her emotions. Leaving her hometown at the age of 10 with her relatives to Binh Duong, for the past 36 years she has not been able to return home once during Tet.
Her father had passed away and she had taken her mother to the South to take care of her. Her greatest desire was to return to her hometown, repair her father's grave and visit her two aunts.
"When I heard the news that I was given a free plane ticket, I was so happy. I saved 30 million VND, and together with my siblings, I went back to my hometown to rebuild my father's grave. After many years away from home, this is the first time I feel the warmth of the union's sharing," Ms. Quyen was moved.
Also on this flight, Ms. Vuong Thi Nhung (38 years old, from Bac Giang) had the opportunity to return to her hometown after more than ten years of working in Binh Duong. Accepting to be far from home and leave her children with her grandparents, Ms. Nhung hopes to earn more income to take care of her children's education.
"This year, thanks to the free plane ticket, I was able to shorten the distance of 1,500 km to return to my parents and children. We always hope that our children will have a bright future...", Ms. Nhung shared.
Present at the farewell ceremony, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha, Member of the Presidium, Head of the Policy, Law and Labor Relations Department of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, could not hide her emotion when witnessing the workers eagerly preparing for the special flight home to celebrate Tet.
"This flight was organized in a very special way, the result of the efforts of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, sponsors and trade unions across the country. We worked closely together to ensure the program was successful, bringing joy and warmth to workers who have not been able to return home for Tet due to difficult circumstances," Ms. Ha shared.
Ms. Ha also emphasized that the program is not only a material support but also has great spiritual value, demonstrating the concern and sharing of the trade union organization for workers who are burdened with the worries of life.
The two flights today (January 25) are a testament to the spirit of solidarity and companionship with workers. Hopefully, meaningful flights like this will continue to be replicated in the coming years so that more and more workers can return to their families during the Tet holiday.
The representative of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor also said that the program "Union Flight - Spring 2025" has 450 people, including union members, workers in difficult circumstances or with excellent achievements and their relatives who are given free air tickets to return home to celebrate Tet.
According to the plan, the program includes two flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh (VN7282, departing at 10:25 on January 25) and to Hanoi (VN7220, departing at 15:10 on January 25).
Of the total 450 workers who received flight tickets, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor supported 400 people (220 people to Hanoi, 180 people to Vinh) and Vietnam Airlines Corporation supported 50 people (to Hanoi).
