Zero-dollar bus trip and joy of reunion
On the last day of the year, when many people are busy packing luggage to return to their hometowns, Ms. A Lang Thi Phuong (62 years old, from Nam Giang) still stands silently next to her old, worn backpack. Working as a lottery ticket seller in Da Nang, precarious income, rent and living expenses have consumed almost all the money saved at the end of the year. A bus ticket home for her is a worry.
I plan to stay to work for a few more days before returning. But if I don't return to my family for Tet, I will be very sad," Ms. Phuong said.
In the meantime, the program "Tet Bus Trip" organized by the Traffic Police Department of Da Nang City Police in coordination with charity units gave her the opportunity to return. Not only did she get free bus tickets, she also received gifts, Tet lucky money, meals and a bottle of water to bring along throughout the journey.
For those returning to their hometowns by motorbike, traffic police also presented new helmets, to make the journey home more peaceful.
From February 13th (December 26th of the lunar calendar), meaningful cars began to roll, taking students, workers, and laborers in difficult circumstances out of Da Nang to be able to reunite with their families in time. Each car is a story, a personal circumstance, but sharing the common desire to return in the days of reunion.
Warm stop in the flow of returning people
At the same time, on National Highway 14B through Ba Na commune, officers and soldiers of Hoa Nhon Traffic Police Station are still diligently regulating traffic and maintaining "meaningful stops".
Here, hundreds of standard helmets are handed over to people. Thousands of free meals and drinks are carefully prepared. Long-distance sluggish motorbikes are inflated tires, screwed, and braked for free before continuing their journey.
Mr. Truong Dang Khoi (Thuong Duc commune) shared: "Every time I pass through Hoa Nhon city gate, they check my car and remind me of traffic safety. This year I am also supported with drinking water, I feel very warm.
When the traffic volume increases and localized congestion appears, the traffic police force proactively diverts traffic and leads groups through hotspots, ensuring people move safely and limiting collisions.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Trung - Head of Hoa Nhon Traffic Police Station - said that in addition to patrolling and handling violations, supporting people to return to their hometowns for Tet is the responsibility and also the feeling of a People's Police soldier.
Free buses leave the station in the late afternoon sunshine of the year. Behind the wheel is the dedication of the functional forces; ahead is the road home that is wide open.
For Mr. Lam and many other workers, Tet this year comes earlier - starting from a bus that does not sell tickets, only carrying full of love.
