Happy Tet train trip of female worker from Hai Duong

Grateful to the Union

At the age of 21, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lung - a worker at TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company (Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai) left her hometown of Cam Giang (Hai Duong Province) to follow her husband to Dong Nai province to live and work.

After nearly 30 years away from Hai Duong, Ms. Lung has been able to return home for Tet on one hand. Because Ms. Nguyen Thi Lung has thyroid cancer, her husband is sick and unemployed, and she has 3 children, she has not been able to return home for Tet with her family for 6 years.

Knowing that she was one of the people supported by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor with train tickets for workers and relatives to return home, Ms. Lung's family was very happy.

At noon on January 21, the mother and her three children boarded train number TN4. After nearly two days, the mother and her three children got off at Hanoi station at 3am, then continued to catch the train to Hai Duong station at 7am.

Returning home in joy and happiness, Ms. Lung happily hugged her elderly mother and told her about her journey to return home for Tet on the Trade Union Train - Spring 2025 supported by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

Holding her mother's hand, Ms. Lung tearfully said: "I'm so happy, Mom! Thanks to the Union train, the three of us were able to go home for Tet, saving a lot of money. The train was clean, modern, fully equipped, and my children and I didn't get seasick. The staff on the train were very enthusiastic and attentive.

On the train, I met many workers from the same company. At first, we were strangers, but then everyone got along. We told each other about our lives. One of them even told us that she hid it from her family to surprise them. Thanks to the Union, workers in difficult circumstances like me have the opportunity to reunite with their families during Tet."

This time returning home for Tet, due to limited economic conditions, Ms. Lung only brought a gift given by the Dong Nai Provincial Labor Federation.

Telling her mother, Ms. Lung was moved: "Right before the train departed, the Union gave the workers a gift bag right at Bien Hoa station. Not only me but many other workers expressed their gratitude to the Union for their care and support so that we could have the opportunity to reunite with our loved ones this new Spring."

The feelings of a child far from home

Talking about her situation, Ms. Lung teared up: "I have never thought of taking my children home for Tet like this time. Because just the round trip train fare for 4 people costs millions of dong, not to mention other expenses. A rather large number compared to my current situation.

I have a serious illness and my husband has no stable job. Going home to celebrate Tet with my children is something I never even dreamed of. Stepping on the train, I am truly grateful to the Trade Union for allowing me to reunite with my family."

For the first time experiencing the Union Train - Spring 2025, Ms. Lung's daughter Kim Dung was excited and elated. Even after many hours of traveling from the South to the North, Kim Dung was not tired. Arriving at her grandmother's house, Kim Dung quickly held her hand, enthusiastically telling her about the journeys that the three of them had gone through, the beautiful scenery along the way, the atmosphere on the train and the cheerful and friendly workers.

Ms. Lung shared: "On this train, there are many families of workers from the Northern provinces coming to the South to work. Their meager salaries and the burden of daily life have made it so that for many years they have not been able to return home to celebrate Tet with their relatives.

Although I really want to go home for Tet, next year I will not register and give the opportunity to other workers. Because I understand the feelings of children far from home, who have not been able to return to their parents' arms for many years. I am very happy."