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

The Bình Dương 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.

Trần Văn Nam, provincial Party’s Committee Secretary, said the southern province of Bình Dương 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.

Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Thu, from the central province of Quảng Bình, has worked in Bình Dương for eight years.

“When Tết 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.

Trương Thị Bích Hạnh, 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 Hà Nội 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 Việt Nam Young Doctors Association and other partners.

Phạm Trung Tuyến, 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 Bạch 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.

Đặng Thị Toàn, 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 Thái Bình.

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

Đinh Thị Thanh Tâm, from the central province of Thanh Hóa, 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.

Trần Thị Diệu Thúy, 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.

Huỳnh Văn Tuấn, 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. — VNS