From the afternoon of January 22nd (the 23rd day of the last lunar month) to just before the Lunar New Year celebrations, special “free bus rides” began operating at Hospital for Children No. 2. This meaningful initiative aims to support underprivileged children and their families by providing free transportation home for the Tet holiday.
Warm Journeys of Compassion
Mrs. Dieu Thi L., a relative of a 3-year-old child from Binh Phuoc, was one of the first to benefit from this charitable service. Her grandson, D.Q., suffered severe burns from playing with gasoline and had been treated in the hospital for three weeks.
Children prepare to board the free bus ride to return home for Tet.
With limited financial resources after prolonged medical treatment, Mrs. L. expressed her gratitude: “Today, my grandson is discharged, and it’s a great relief to have this free bus provided by the hospital. I am very thankful,” she said emotionally.
Not only Mrs. L., but also Ms. Vi Thi Lien from Dak Lak, expressed deep appreciation as her son, a child with leukemia, was supported to return home for free. Ms. Lien shared that the extended treatment since 2022 had severely strained her family’s finances.
*”Charitable bus ride” helps patients in need return home for Tet.
Meaningful Initiatives from Hospital for Children No. 2
According to Dr. Trinh Huu Tung, Director of Hospital for Children No. 2, in addition to the free bus rides, the hospital also organizes various activities to bring the spirit of Tet to the children still undergoing treatment. These include cultural performances, recreational activities, gift-giving, photo sessions, and distributing lucky money envelopes.
Hospital for Children No. 2 decorates pathways with flowers to create a festive atmosphere for the children.
In particular, these free bus rides have become an annual tradition, helping hundreds of children from distant provinces such as Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Phu Yen, and the Mekong Delta region reunite with their families. However, about 300-400 children are still too ill to leave the hospital.
Expanding Acts of Kindness
This initiative is not limited to Hospital for Children No. 2; the City Cancer Hospital has also launched a similar program. This year, a total of 450 patients and relatives were supported to return home on 12 charitable bus rides.
Patients from the City Cancer Hospital board the charitable bus.
Conclusion
These free bus rides are more than just transportation—they symbolize love, compassion, and community support. They bring joy and hope to struggling families, allowing them to reunite during the Tet festival. Let’s continue to support and spread such acts of kindness to build a more compassionate society.
Source: Dan Tri
