At 5:30 a.m., each group of tunnel diggers had neatly donned their protective gear, ready for a new day of work. Hard hats, reflective vests, gas masks, gloves, specialized shoes… were all familiar to the brothers, indispensable for this very special job.
It must be said in advance that all the words of "writers" like us, perhaps cannot fully describe what it would take to "witness" the tunnel digging work once, to witness the hardships and difficulties, and to see the will and faith of the people here.
The clock had just struck 9 o'clock, and inside the tunnel, the temperature had already risen to over 50 degrees Celsius. Going deeper inside, the smoke and dust were even more dense. The Contract Management Board had to equip additional equipment and high-capacity dust extraction fans to support engineers and workers during their work.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Dan is a tunnel digger who has been with the Group for 3 years, and participated in the completion of the Truong Vinh tunnel before being transferred to the Tuy An tunnel construction site. He said: “Every day working inside the rocky mountain is a challenge, not only for our health but also for our perseverance and endurance. We face the sweltering heat inside the mountain. We also have to fight against the difficult terrain.”
He then said that the difficulty had strengthened the camaraderie among colleagues, so that they were ready to support each other. Newcomers to the tunnel were also guided and instructed by seniors in each step before "practicing their profession".
Occasionally, I saw someone stop for a moment to catch his breath, wiping away the sweat on his face. I asked Mr. Dan what motivated him and his colleagues to persevere so much. His eyes lit up with pride: "Work is like that, everyone chooses the easy ones, who will do the hard work? Seeing the project change every day, from the small contributions of each person, we know that our efforts bring visible results. We encourage each other not to give up." He smiled and added, the Executive Board also cares about us very much, although it is hard, we are understood and shared.
Continuing on, I happened to meet Mr. Nguyen Phi Do - Chief of Tuy An Tunnel Technical Team. He shared: “I know the difficulties of this job, but the more difficult it is, the more determined I am to conquer it. We have colleagues by our side to share the hardships when the construction is not going well, and to share the joy when we have just completed a difficult stage. Here, the Group's leaders also regularly visit the construction site to encourage and motivate the colleagues.”
On the way from the construction site to the living area for lunch, he said, if it wasn't a hot sunny day, it was a rainy day, or there were storms sweeping through, some work had to be delayed, but the rest of the team still tried to find solutions to overcome the weather to continue construction... "That's how we overcome the sun and rain", he laughed.
I keep remembering what Mr. Dan said when asked if he ever had any doubts about choosing this job. “I just miss home and my hometown! But I have never regretted choosing to be a tunnel digger. It is the job I love, it is the life I have chosen,” he replied.
Because of work, many workers sacrifice their family life for the common work. Understanding those sacrifices, the Executive Board always cares and encourages them in a timely manner so that they can work with confidence. The living and working place is spacious and fully equipped with amenities. The health of officers, engineers, workers in general and especially tunnel construction workers in particular is focused on with a schedule of regular health check-ups and examinations.
During the holidays away from home, the workers are treated appropriately. Although it cannot replace the atmosphere of family reunion, the cozy parties at the project office also help to ease the homesickness and give more motivation to the brothers. The package management board shared that they always care about creating a close and familiar working environment like a second home for everyone during the working time.
A simple dinner after work, witnessing the daily joys and sorrows. In the corners of the yard, on the stone benches, on the soccer field, or in front of the office lobby,... is the father calling his children, the husband calling his wife to chat, the child calling to ask about his parents...
The Tuy An tunnel construction site is still lit up at night. The Tuy An mountains and forests seem to be breathed new life by the spirit of the tunnel workers, the hands and minds who are diligently building the Fatherland's road.
