Ferries carrying memories
In 2014, Dong Cao ferry terminal was established and put into operation to ensure smooth traffic on National Highway 37B across the Dao River, connecting Nghia Hung and Y Yen districts (Nam Dinh province). Ms. Hoang Thi Duyen - Head of Dong Cao ferry terminal - said that the ferry terminal has 3 passenger vehicles including 2 self-propelled ferries and 1 single-blade ferry. Every day, the ferry starts operating at 4:30 a.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m.
“In 2016, I started working as the ferry captain at Dong Cao ferry. Our job is to take passengers across the river safely, ensuring that traffic at both ends of the ferry is not congested. The ferry’s peak hours are in the morning and afternoon, mainly serving workers. I, like the workers here, mostly work in the ferry area when I am on shift, so the ferry passengers are very familiar with each other, greeting each other whenever we meet. Many passengers have become familiar with each other, just by nodding and smiling, we understand each other,” Ms. Duyen shared.
Over the years of operation, Dong Cao ferry has become an indispensable part, closely linked to the lives of people on both sides. Mr. Vu Van Tuan (Y Yen district, Nam Dinh province) said: “For many years, I have been working as a worker in Nghia Hung, so I travel across Dong Cao ferry twice a day. The people here and I are very happy that Dong Cao bridge will soon be put into operation, making travel more convenient. However, for more than 5 years now, I have been traveling on the ferry every day, and there are days when I take the opportunity to have a banh mi for breakfast right on the ferry, making it difficult for me to avoid feeling nostalgic when the ferry is about to stop operating.”
When Dong Cao Bridge officially opened to traffic, the ferry route across Dao River completed its "mission". Everyone understood that the bridge would help facilitate travel and open up development opportunities, but they could not help but miss the ferry routes filled with memories.
The feelings of workers who have been with us for many years
Having been attached to Dong Cao ferry since its early days of operation, Mr. Vu Van Tuyen (ferry worker) said: “My work has been associated with the river area for more than 30 years. Previously, I worked at Ninh Cuong pontoon bridge (Nam Dinh province). In 2016, I moved to Dong Cao ferry to work. When Dong Cao bridge started construction, I felt a bit disappointed, because when the bridge was completed, the ferry stopped operating, I didn’t know what my work would be like in the future?”.
Sharing the same sentiment, Captain Tran Van Dai expressed: “I work as a ship driver, so the nature of my job requires me to stand in the cabin, and hearing the noise of the engine makes me hard of hearing. That’s why I’m used to speaking louder than usual, and many passengers think I’m shouting. Over time, people understand and sympathize with me. I’m so used to this job every day, when the ferry stops operating, I will miss my job very much, it will probably take me a while to get used to it.”
Currently, the number of workers serving at Dong Cao ferry is 22 people, divided into 2 shifts. It is known that when the ferry stops operating, employees working at the ferry who are still of working age will be assigned new jobs.
Dong Cao ferry terminal manager Hoang Thi Duyen added that the company's leaders and departments will have a unified plan to support workers in finding jobs and arrange for workers of working age to transfer to maintenance work on Dong Cao bridge.
Dong Cao ferry terminal is about to become a memory, and the workers who work at the ferry terminal are filled with many worries. However, these days, everyone is always ready to work to ensure the safety of people crossing the river by ferry.
