Looking forward to coming home
Many workers told Lao Dong that they have not been able to sleep for the past few nights because they are eagerly waiting for the day to return home for Tet.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Chi, her voice trembled with emotion when mentioning the two words “returning to the hometown”. Ms. Chi said that her hometown is in Nam Sach district, Hai Duong province. Due to difficult life, her family had to move to Ho Chi Minh City to make a living.
In September 2024, Ms. Chi was extremely anxious when she heard that Typhoon No. 3 Yagi was coming. During a video call, she burst into tears when she saw her beloved old fibro cement roof blown off. Her father, over 80 years old, worked hard every day to repair the roof. Therefore, all the money she had saved, Ms. Chi sent back to her hometown to help her family. Not only that, nearly a month ago, her husband unfortunately passed away. She confided that this year, "going back to my hometown" for Tet was a luxury she only dared to dream of.
Luckily, Ms. Chi is one of the workers supported by the program "Union Flight - Spring 2025". Both she and her daughter were supported with plane tickets to return home to celebrate Tet after 4 long years of separation. Therefore, for the past week, Ms. Chi has been tossing and turning every night, unable to sleep. She just wishes for tomorrow (January 25) to come quickly so she can get on the plane to return home to celebrate Tet.
Not only Ms. Chi, many workers are eagerly waiting for the support flight. Ms. Truong Thi Diu, from the mountainous district of Tan Ky, Nghe An, who works in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, said that more than 2 months ago, she was happy to receive information that she would be supported with a plane ticket to return home for Tet. Ms. Diu will fly at 10:30 a.m. on January 25, but she and her child have been preparing their luggage for a whole week. Every day, she opens her suitcase to check if anything is missing.
Ms. Diu confided that she is a Tho ethnic person, and everyone in her village lives together very warmly. Therefore, her elderly mother, over 70 years old, is always taken care of by the villagers. On the occasion of returning to her hometown, she also wanted to visit and thank her neighbors.
Spreading human values
According to Vietnam Airlines, in order to share with workers in difficulty, the National Airline has coordinated with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to organize special flights, called "Union Flight - Spring 2025" to bring 450 workers home to celebrate Tet. The flights departing on January 25, 2025 are coded VN7082 from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh and VN7220 from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.
This is an annual activity carried out by the National Airlines with the hope that after a year of hard work, everyone has the opportunity to return to their families and enjoy the sacred moments of the traditional New Year.
Talking to Lao Dong about the meaning of the program "Union Flight - Spring 2025", Mr. Dang Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines shared: "Each flight during Tet is not only about moving from one place to another, but also a journey back to the roots, to family and love. Vietnam Airlines hopes that these flights will help workers feel the care and sharing from the community. We want to spread humane values, arouse the spirit of solidarity and mutual love in society".
“Union Flight - Spring 2025” demonstrates Vietnam Airlines’ social responsibility in bringing meaningful values to the community. This year, thanks to the charitable flights, more families will be able to fully enjoy the joy of reunion. That is the greatest gift that Vietnam Airlines and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor wish to give, to start a new year full of love and happiness.
