Vietnam Airlines carries disadvantaged workers back to their hometowns

January 31, 2024 - 16:34
The purpose of the flight was to transport disadvantaged workers from HCM City to Hà Nội, allowing them to celebrate Tết (Lunar New Year) with their families in their hometowns. Many of these workers had been away from home for several years due to the challenges of making a living, and the limited economic conditions they faced made it difficult for them to afford the cost of travel.
A family shared their joy after landing at Nội Bài airport. — Photos of VNA

HÀ NỘI —A reunion flight, designated flight number VN218, was organised by Vietnam Airlines (VNA) on the evening of January 29.

The purpose of the flight was to transport disadvantaged workers from HCM City to Hà Nội, allowing them to celebrate Tết (Lunar New Year) with their families in their hometowns. Many of these workers had been away from home for several years due to the challenges of making a living, and the limited economic conditions they faced made it difficult for them to afford the cost of travel.

The workers selected for the reunion flight had not had the opportunity to return home for many years, and this flight provided them with a rare chance to be reunited with their relatives and families.

The workers planned to stay in their hometowns during Tết to earn additional income for their families. The flight was a source of immense happiness for these individuals, who saw it as a dream come true.

Prior to the flight, many workers gathered at Tân Sơn Nhất airport in preparation for their journey home.

The reunion flight departed from Tân Sơn Nhất at 6:00 p.m. and landed at Nội Bài at 8:15 p.m. All workers on the flight received 100 per cent free airfare support. Vietnam Airlines also arranged transportation from Nội Bài airport to various locations in order to help the workers reach their hometowns quickly. This assistance aimed to alleviate the burdens faced by these disadvantaged workers and enable them to enjoy a complete and warm Tết celebration with their families.

Representatives of Vietnam Airlines presented gifts to disadvantaged workers before the flight.

Đặng Anh Tuấn, the Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, expressed his sentiments about the reunion flight, stating that the airline received applications from workers who were facing extremely difficult circumstances. Some of these workers had not been able to go home for many years, while others had never been able to return to their hometowns or meet their grandparents and relatives since their birth.

Despite the fact that Vietnam Airlines had organised similar flights in previous years and had read letters like these before, they were still deeply moved by the stories and situations of the workers. This emotional response served as the motivation for Vietnam Airlines to continue organising the annual Dream Flight - Reunion Journey programme. — VNS

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