New Year's Eve without fireworks
At 24:00 on the night of the 30th of Tet, when the streets are brilliantly colored with spring, many families gather around a reunion meal, at the A9 Emergency Center - Bach Mai Hospital, the rhythm of time is still as fast as usual. At this frontline, there is no concept of holidays. Only consecutive emergency cases and people silently maintaining the "vitalline" for patients.
Having the opportunity to chat with young doctors and nurses on Tet duty at A9, we clearly felt that behind the white blouse are countless emotions. Each person has their own story, but the common point is youth, love for the profession and persistent dedication.
Many years working at A9, MSc.BS Nguyen Quoc Linh, A9 Emergency Center does not remember what year it was to celebrate New Year's Eve at the hospital. New Year's Eve is not just a normal shift but a race against time to regain life for patients. The intensity of work is very high, but no one is allowed to be negligent - because every minute is extremely precious. Although hard, when seeing patients healthy is like a meaningful New Year's wish to doctors.
The doctor added: "Here, every second is important. We have to handle it quickly and accurately so that patients can be rescued in time. New Year's Eve has no fireworks or wishes, only tireless efforts for patients. When everyone gathers and I stay here all night, I also feel a little sad. But that feeling quickly gives way to responsibility. In the moment of fireworks outdoors, the phone ringing from the family becomes a valuable source of encouragement, helping him stand firmly at the emergency table.
On New Year's Eve, the most unforgettable thing for Dr. Linh is not the lack of a complete Tet, but the critical cases. "Some patients did not survive at the moment of the New Year's transition. In A9, life and death happen every day, but on New Year's Eve, that feeling is very indescribable," MSc. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Linh shared.
16 years of celebrating New Year's Eve in the hospital
The special feature of A9 is receiving end-line patients, the workload is not "easy to breathe". Whether it's the 30th or the 1st day of Tet, the working pace is almost non-decreasing, even more difficult when patients increase.
Successful emergency cases are the most meaningful New Year's gift. M.A. Le Quang Tri, Head Nurse of Emergency Center A9 (Bach Mai Hospital) shared: More than 20 years in the profession, there have been 16 years of celebrating New Year's Eve at the hospital. During New Year's Eve at the hospital, I have become accustomed to hearing the emergency whistle instead of the sound of fireworks. New Year's Eve here has no concept of rest, only severe cases and the responsibility to save the lives of patients.
Of course, there are also sad moments when thinking about family, about the unfinished year-end meal. But then that feeling quickly gives way to work. Because for us, as long as the patient is out of danger, that is already the most meaningful'New Year's wish'.
After so many years, New Year's Eve in the hospital is no longer special, but emotions never fade. Happy to save people, sad when there are cases that cannot be kept. The medical profession is like that - quietly but always in the most fragile boundaries," said Master Le Quang Tri.
Amidst that tense cycle, simple moments become precious. Every New Year's Eve, the Board of Directors and department leaders come to wish Tet and give lucky money at the beginning of the year to medical staff and patients. The whole center counts down, sharing wishes for peace. "At that time, A9 is like a second family - warm and full of motivation," Ms. Le Quang Tri said emotionally.
On New Year's Eve of Binh Ngo Tet 2026, the A9 Emergency Center still has 40 seriously ill patients staying for treatment, not to mention the number of patients continuously admitted for emergency treatment. The Tet of doctors at the front lines does not have much time for themselves. But in their eyes, there is always a belief in their profession.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, Tet is a reunion occasion for many people, but for end-line hospitals like Bach Mai, it is a sensitive peak period. Traffic accidents, food safety risks and emergency cases, severe complications often increase. This year, right after the New Year, the number of patients has clearly increased due to weather changes.
The A9 Emergency Center is identified as a hot spot, maintaining the highest readiness. Specialties such as cardiology, toxicology, stroke, infectious diseases... arrange maximum Tet duty forces. Human resources are organized in many classes (main duty, standing duty, residence duty, extrahospital emergency), operating room on duty 24/24, leaders at all levels directly directing on the spot. Equipment, medicines, and supplies are all reviewed and supplemented according to the worst-case scenario to avoid being passive.
