Union Flight: Bridging the Miles of Longing

With a quiet stature and a face marked by hardship, his eyes today shine with joy. Mr. Quyet shared that he is eagerly counting down the days until he can return to his hometown. “In previous years, this time was always very sad. Everyone would be excitedly discussing their plans to go home, while I was busy asking for overtime or looking for extra work during the holiday to earn more income and to ease the loneliness of not being with my family,” he confided.

According to Mr. Quyet, it has been exactly 20 years since he left Ninh Binh for Dong Nai to make a living. The burden of a man living far from home became even heavier as his wife back home has no stable job, his children are still in school, and his parents are aging and frail. Conscious of this, he always strives at work, saving every penny of his personal expenses to send money home to support his children and care for his parents.

While fulfilling his economic responsibilities, he always felt a lingering homesickness and a sense of regret for not being there to guide his children or care for his elderly parents. Especially when Tet arrives, the desire to gather with his family becomes even more poignant.

“During Tet, I just wish to light incense on the ancestral altar, wrap Banh Chung with my wife, give my parents a gift, and hand out lucky money to my children... but it’s so far away; wanting to go doesn't mean you can,” Mr. Quyet shared.

With a distance of over 1,600 km, traveling by bus would take nearly three days round-trip, leaving very little time for the actual reunion, not to mention the exhaustion of crowded vehicles. As for flying, the cost of a round-trip ticket during the Tet peak is a significant expense for a worker like him.

“For four years, I had to accept setting aside my dream of reunion to prioritize more practical expenses,” he said.

A Journey of Compassion – Shortening the Distance of Love

This Tet, Mr. Quyet no longer has to struggle with the decision of whether to stay or go. Thanks to the “Union Flight” program, he now holds a free air ticket to return home for a family reunion.

“To step into a modern aircraft, flying through the clouds, and being welcomed by the attentive service and radiant smiles of the Vietnam Airlines crew - this is something I never dared to dream of, yet now it has come true. Over 1,600 km of the road home is now just a 2-hour flight. This would not be possible without the support of the VGCL and Vietnam Airlines! I’ve told my family, and everyone was moved to tears. Thank you, VGCL; thank you, Vietnam Airlines,” Mr. Quyet emotionally shared.

The joy of Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet is a sentiment shared by more than 550 workers participating in the Union Flight, a humanitarian journey organized by the VGCL and Vietnam Airlines.

This is not just a regular commercial flight; it is a flight of kinship and gratitude for the silent laborers contributing to the country’s economy. It is also a meaningful gift from the Trade Union: bringing outstanding workers in difficult circumstances home via the fastest and most respectful route.

This Year of the Horse, Mr. Quyet’s small house in Ninh Binh will surely be filled with more laughter than usual. His simple but long-held wishes will finally come true: lighting incense for his ancestors, wrapping Banh Chung, giving Tet gifts to his parents, and hugging his children.

The journey from Tam Phuoc Industrial Park to Ninh Binh this time will be the happiest trip of Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet's life. It is clear evidence of the collaborative spirit of the VGCL and the mission of Vietnam Airlines: Shortening every distance, connecting every love.