On the 20th day of the 12th lunar month, in preparation for Tet 2025 (January 19), Thu Duc City Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) organized the “Zero-Dollar Market” event with the theme “Sharing Spring – Loving Tet.” This event not only provided meaningful gifts but also offered significant emotional support to hundreds of patients and their families.
“Zero-Dollar Market” – A Place Where Love Spreads
Mrs. Ho Thi Yen (73 years old, residing in Thu Duc City) shared that she has been undergoing dialysis treatment for a year, and the high costs have caused her family many difficulties. “In previous years, we would usually prepare a little to create a Tet atmosphere. But now, I’m on dialysis and spending a lot of money, so I didn’t plan to buy anything for the New Year. Now, thanks to all the gifts, this year we have enough Tet food. I am very grateful to the hospital for organizing such a meaningful activity,” Mrs. Yen expressed.
Mrs. Tran Thi Thu (70 years old) also could not hide her joy while participating in the market. With nine years of caring for her husband, Mr. Vo Hoang Chau (68 years old), who is undergoing dialysis at Thu Duc City Hospital, this is her fourth consecutive year attending the Zero-Dollar Market. “Last year, I received over twenty items as gifts, but this year there are even more. I’ve been receiving gifts since early morning, my legs are numb from standing, but I still haven’t finished collecting,” the elderly woman candidly recounted.
Sharing Love, Strengthening Community Bonds
Dr. Vu Tri Thanh, Director of Thu Duc City Hospital, stated that after 11 successful editions, the “Zero-Dollar Market” has become an important sharing event, providing care for over 4,500 elderly patients, children with disabilities, poor households, near-poor families, and other patients in difficult circumstances. The program particularly focuses on chronic disease patients requiring long-term treatment and family heads who balance economic responsibilities with raising young children.
This year’s spring market at the hospital featured 40 stalls offering a wide range of essential items like rice, Tet cakes, sausages, and necessities. Each participant was given 16 vouchers to exchange for items from the market. In total, the program distributed over 6,000 gift packages worth between 70,000 to 120,000 Vietnamese dong each.
Other Meaningful Activities
Alongside the market, the program also included various activities such as free haircuts, calligraphy writing, free photography, catering services, and traditional games. Not only did these activities provide material assistance, but they also offered valuable emotional support, helping patients gain more confidence in their treatment journey.
Tet Miniature Decoration Contest at Thu Duc Children’s Hospital
During this period, Thu Duc Children’s Hospital also held a miniature decoration contest with the theme “Connecting Spring – Reuniting Tet.” The event attracted participation from all union and youth organizations across 54 departments within the hospital. The decorations will be displayed until the fifth day of Tet (February 2) for medical staff, pediatric patients, and their families to visit, take photos, and capture joyful moments of the new spring.
The judges awarded first place to the team from the Nephrology Department, alongside two second places, five third places, and eight consolation prizes to other teams.
Hoang Le – Khanh An
