VietNamNet Bridge – Companies, industrial zones and hospitals nationwide have been getting into the Tet (Lunar New Year) spirit and providing free transport to allow workers and patients travel home to spend the holiday with their families.

Workers nationwide have received free coach tickets to return home for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays. — VNA/VNS Photo Hai Au

The Binh Duong Labour Federation yesterday arranged free-of-charge coaches to take 1,000 poor workers to their hometowns. They are among 5,000 workers to get free bus travel to their hometowns in the province.

Tran Van Nam, provincial Party’s Committee Secretary, said the southern province of Binh Duong was populated by more than 2.3 million people, and more than a half of them were workers coming from other provinces.

“Thus provincial leaders always try our best so that all workers have better physical and mental lives,” said Nam.

Nguyen Thi My Thu, from the central province of Quang Binh, has worked in Binh Duong for eight years.

“When Tet holiday is coming, people living far from home like me want to go back home. Understanding our desire, the provincial labour federation supported us and also gave us meaningful presents,” she said.

Truong Thi Bich Hanh, chairwoman of the federation, said trade unions in the province also gave free meals for workers for their journeys home.

It is the 10th year the provincial labour sector has provided free coaches for workers for the Lunar New Year holidays. As many as 25,000 workers have benefited from the programme.

Also on Thursday morning, 20 free buses took more than 600 poor cancer patients from the K Hospital in Hanoi to their hometowns to enjoy the holiday.

The programme was organised by the K Hospital, in co-ordination with the Cancer Patient Support Fund, the Viet Nam Young Doctors Association and other partners.

Pham Trung Tuyen, a patient, said that he used to be the bread winner in his family, but contracted stomach cancer. His family has struggled to make ends meet during his two years of treatment.

“The free bus and presents from hospital leaders make all of us happy,” he said.

Other hospitals including the National Burn Hospital, the National Paediatrics Hospital and Bach Mai Hospital have helped patients return home.

Earlier on Wednesday, the HCM City Labour Federation worked with trade unions of the municipal industrial zones to arrange 36 coaches to take more than 1,500 workers home.

Dang Thi Toan, went together with her small daughter from the Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone where she works to her home in the northern province of Thai Binh.

“I could not sleep during the previous night because I wanted to come home. The feeling is difficult to express,” said Toan.

Dinh Thi Thanh Tam, from the central province of Thanh Hoa, said she hadn’t been able to go home for four years.

“Thanks to the programme, I can go to my hometown. I’m really excited all the time,” she said.

Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, chairwoman of the city labour federation, said municipal leaders hoped all workers could go home safely, happily and would come back to work on time after the holiday.

Huynh Van Tuan, chairman of the HCM City Industrial Zone and Processing Zone Trade Union, said the city would organise a total of 96 buses to take more than 4,000 workers to their hometowns.

Source: VNS