Quietly collecting remaining waste
When the flow of people began to disperse after the brilliant fireworks displays, an urgent working session took place on many streets in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the yellow lights, environmental sanitation workers quickly arrived, quietly collecting the remaining waste after New Year's Eve.
In the central area, the sound of bamboo brooms and specialized vehicles blended into the late night atmosphere. Working groups worked continuously, dividing each section of road and sidewalk to ensure that cleaning was completed as soon as possible.
Not only functional forces, many people also actively stayed and joined hands to clean up trash. In many areas with large numbers of people watching fireworks, many young people lingered, actively collecting cans of water and waste paper and putting them in trash bags, contributing to cleaning up public space.
After having fun, we clean up, which is also a way to show awareness to the city. Seeing the aunts and uncles working hard, we want to contribute a little effort" - Minh Hoan (Cho Lon ward) said.
According to records, the amount of trash after New Year's Eve is mainly packaging, plastic cups, and fast food. Thanks to the early deployment of forces and smooth coordination, many streets quickly regained their neat appearance.
At dawn at the beginning of the year, when the streets gradually become quiet, sanitation workers are still diligently doing their familiar work. That silence, along with the small but beautiful actions of the people, has contributed to keeping the city clean and beautiful, ready for the first day of the new year.
Cleaning up the streets overnight
At 0:30 am on February 17 (ie, the 1st day of Tet), the crowd left the My Dinh Stadium area after watching fireworks, which was also when dozens of environmental workers started their busiest shifts of the year.
Ms. Khanh Thi Thuy - worker of Hanoi Urban Environment One Member Limited Liability Company - Cau Dien Branch (Urenco 7) quietly pushes the garbage cart, collecting each nylon bag, bottle shell, and scrap paper left over around Le Quang Dao street.
Ms. Thuy said that this is the 4th year she has been on New Year's Eve duty. In the moment of transition from the old year to the new year, being able to contribute to cleaning the Capital is a source of pride for her.
When people gather with their families or go out for Tet, we start working. We are happy to clean up the streets of the Capital in the first days of the new year," she said, her hands still quickly collecting garbage into the car.
According to her, this year, the amount of garbage around My Dinh Stadium is much less than in previous years. This has significantly reduced the workload of her and the members of the on-duty team.
In the same group as Ms. Thuy, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong - who has been attached to the profession for more than 10 years - said that work on New Year's night usually lasts until near dawn.
After cleaning around the fireworks display area, we will move to clean up all the assigned streets. Although tired, looking at the clean streets, everyone feels happy" - Ms. Phuong said.
According to Lao Dong's records, by about 1:15 am, the road surface, sidewalk brick foundation... around the area where people watched fireworks displays were neat and clean.
Vinh Long: Silently keeping spring streets clean and beautiful
In the moment of transition between the old year and the new year, when the bustling fireworks sounded, many families gathered around a warm tray of rice. On the streets still filled with festive atmosphere, environmental sanitation workers quietly started their night shifts.
After each art program, entertainment spot or crowded area, garbage is quickly collected. Bamboo brooms, carts, and garbage compactors line up to move, restoring freshness to each street right in the night.
Ms. Quach Thi My Linh (born in 1984, residing in Phuoc Hau ward) said that she used to work in the area near her house. Since the area was rearranged, she was assigned to be in charge of communes in Mang Thit district (before the merger), having to travel more than 20km every day to get to work.
According to Ms. Linh, when the area changed, the travel distance became longer, so she had to leave earlier and return later than before. Although it was more difficult, she was still determined to stick with it because the company once helped her have a stable job during the difficult period, especially during the COVID-19 epidemic.
During the epidemic or when the company did not win the bid, I was still kept to work. I am grateful, so even if it is further and more difficult, I still try to stick with it," Ms. Linh shared.
Nearly 10 years working at the company, Mr. Ha Tan Cuong is also familiar with duty shifts for ceremonies and Tet. For him, the environmental sanitation profession, although hard, brings joy when seeing the streets clean and tidy.
Mr. Cuong said that although work is sometimes stressful, he still wants to continue to stick with it. "On New Year's Eve, hearing the fireworks and still working, I feel proud to have contributed a small part to keeping the spring street clean and beautiful," he expressed.
According to Mr. Cuong, the grassroots trade union always cares and creates the best conditions for union members. During Tet, workers receive gifts, visits, and timely encouragement; many care activities are coordinated and organized, helping workers feel more secure and attached.
Mr. Phan Thanh Hien - Deputy Director of Vinh Long Public Works Joint Stock Company - said that the unit is in charge of collecting and transporting garbage in communes of Mang Thit and Tam Binh districts before the merger.
According to Mr. Hien, after being supplemented with additional containers and specialized vehicles, the collection operation is gradually stabilizing. This Tet holiday, the unit proactively increased trips from February 10th (the 23rd day of the lunar calendar) to the end of February 22nd (the 6th day of Tet).
Mr. Hien added that during the peak days of Tet, the unit arranges forces to be on duty throughout, assigned according to specific routes so that waste is collected in time, not left overnight, contributing to maintaining urban beauty.
Amidst the chilly breath of spring, footsteps still silently pass through each street. They gather the remnants of the fun so that on the morning of the first day of Tet, the streets are as neat as new clothes. Spring therefore comes not only from the colors of flowers, but also from the dedication of silent sanitation workers.
