On January 25th morning, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thương, a worker at Panasonic Corporation (Hanoi), and her family had the opportunity to participate in a free ride organized by the union to return home for Tet after a year of hard work. This meaningful journey is not only significant for Ms. Thương’s family but also for thousands of other workers.
In previous years, returning home was always a major challenge for Ms. Thương’s family. To travel from Hanoi to Can Lộc, Ha Tinh – about 350km away – she had to book tickets 2-3 months in advance and travel 25km from their rental house to the Nước Ngầm bus station. On crowded and cramped buses lasting 8-9 hours, the entire family was exhausted and strained by the tight quarters and high travel costs.
A joyful ride easing the burden for the worker's family
Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thương’s family eagerly boards the free union-sponsored bus to return home for Tet (Photo: Văn Quân).
This year, everything has changed as Ms. Thương’s family received full support on a free ride organized by the union. Without the stress of overcrowded buses or concerns about expenses, their journey home became much more relaxed and reassuring.
Ms. Thương carried essential personal items for her trip home. Upon arriving in Ha Tinh, her family plans to prepare for Tet and gifts for their grandparents. She is one of over 1,000 workers and families benefiting from the “Happy Ride” program implemented by the union.
Mr. Phạm Quang Thanh, Chairman of the Hanoi Labor Union, shared that organizing free rides aims to understand and alleviate the transportation worries of workers far from home. This is also a way to boost motivation and help workers feel secure in their jobs, fostering long-term commitment. During the 2025 Tet holiday, the Hanoi Labor Union supported 5,000 free tickets and transported 1,200 workers home to reunite with their families.
This is the 17th consecutive year that Hanoi’s labor unions have partnered with businesses to organize these special rides. The program not only helps workers return home but also supports them in resuming work after the Tet break.
According to the General Confederation of Trade Unions of Vietnam, Tet 2025 activities were widely implemented across four levels of unions, focusing mainly on grassroots organizations. Priority groups include union members, workers with difficult circumstances, those affected by workplace accidents, occupational diseases, natural disasters, or unemployment.
Quick reports from localities show that during the 2025 Tet holiday, over 8.6 million union members and workers benefited from union welfare programs, with total funding exceeding 47.5 trillion VND.
Practical Significance of the Program
The “Happy Ride” program is not just a financial support initiative but also demonstrates the deep concern of trade unions for the lives of workers. Each free ride contributes to creating favorable conditions for workers to reunite with their families and fully enjoy the traditional Tet atmosphere.
Through consistent efforts over 17 years, the program has proven its importance in enhancing the quality of life and morale of workers. It serves as clear evidence of the commitment to building a humane, friendly, and responsible working environment in Vietnam.
Conclusion
Rides like these not only ease the financial and physical burdens on workers but also bring joy, peace of mind, and a sense of connection between people and their homeland. Let’s spread this meaningful message so that more workers can benefit from similar programs in the future.
Source: Dan Tri
