Joy on the "Zero-Fare Flights"

The flights departed on January 25, with flight VN7082 from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh, and flight VN7220 from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.

Tet – the Lunar New Year – is a sacred moment of reunion and love, a time when everyone wishes to return to their family and share the joy of being together. However, for many migrant workers, the journey home can sometimes feel like a distant dream.

To support disadvantaged workers, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, in collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, organized special flights under the program "Union Flights – Spring 2025," bringing 450 workers home for Tet. Workers facing hardships were able to return free of charge on these flights by the national carrier, reuniting with their families to fully enjoy the happiness of the traditional Tet holiday.

450 workers were supported to return home for Tet on special flights.

Many participating workers had not been home for Tet in several years due to difficult circumstances.

Ms. Pham Thi Hue (born 1980, from Nghe An), a member of PouYuen Vietnam Co., Ltd., traveled on flight VN7082 from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh. She shared that it had been three years, since 2021, since she last celebrated Tet at home due to financial difficulties.

Hue, originally from Quang Tri, married in Nghe An. She and her husband, along with their youngest son, now rent a house in Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, her two older children are attending high school back in Nghe An, living with their grandparents, who are now 89 years old. Her father is 70.

"I’m so happy and emotional that I can't express it in words. I’m truly grateful to the Company, the Labor Union, and Vietnam Airlines," she said, describing her feelings upon learning she would return home with her 11-year-old son, who is in the fifth grade, on this special flight.

Vietnam Airlines made efforts to set up convenient check-in counters to assist workers.

Hue recounted that during Typhoon Yagi, her house in Nghe An was flooded. Eager to go home, she had carefully prepared all personal items and Tet gifts the day before, including offerings and presents for her parents and children.

Back in 2021, she traveled home on a company-organized bus, which offered discounted fares but took nearly 30 hours. This time, she departed with the group from the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Union headquarters near her rented home, catching a bus to the airport at 6 a.m.

Ms. Vuong Thi Nhung (born 1986), a worker at Yazaki EDS Co., Ltd., boarded flight VN7220 to Hanoi, before traveling by car to her hometown in Bac Giang. Expressing her gratitude to her company, the Labor Union, and Vietnam Airlines, she shared that both she and her husband work as factory workers and are the main earners in their family. Their two children, who live with their grandparents, are currently in grade 10 and grade 12.

Nhung noted that in previous years, it took them 34-35 hours by bus to get home. She was overjoyed that the flight would allow her to reunite with her family much sooner this year, bringing along a Tet gift box from the Binh Duong Labor Union.

Many workers were thrilled to soon reunite with their families.

Ms. Tran Thi Tan, from Greentech Company, also boarded the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh to celebrate Tet with her loved ones. For years, she had been solely responsible for supporting her parents and covering medical expenses for her critically ill father. She had not returned home for Tet in four years and was deeply moved by this opportunity.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Men (born 1987), from Kingstyle Garment Co., Ltd., also took the Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh flight. As the main breadwinner raising two young children and supporting an elderly mother, her income had declined due to company difficulties, preventing her from returning home for Tet for the past three years.

Despite each having their own challenges, today joy lit up their eyes. Though life remains tough, these workers now have precious moments of family reunion to recharge for the journeys ahead.

Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha, Head of the Policy – Legal Affairs and Labor Relations Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, spoke at the event.

At the airport to see off workers departing on the "Zero-Fare Flights," Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Ha, Member of the Presidium and Head of the Policy – Legal Affairs and Labor Relations Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, said the event held great significance for both the Union and workers.

Workers who had not returned home for Tet in many years, as well as outstanding laborers, received special attention and support to ensure convenient and comfortable travel home for the holiday.

So far, 45,000 workers have benefited from such support through trains, buses, and now, 450 workers flying on two "Zero-Fare Flights" organized by the Confederation and Vietnam Airlines. Some workers had not been home for 22 years and were deeply touched.

"We believe that after these trips, workers will return with renewed enthusiasm and contribute even more to their companies and society," Ms. Ha said.
"We will continue these programs at the end of each year, adding more train tickets, bus trips, and especially increasing the number of 'Zero-Fare Flights' for workers. We will strive to mobilize more resources from the Union and from social organizations to make this possible," she affirmed.

The "Union Flight" is an annual activity of Vietnam Airlines, aiming to give workers, after a year of hard labor, a chance to reunite with their families and experience the sacred moments of Tet.

Mr. Dang Anh Tuan, Deputy CEO of Vietnam Airlines, shared:
"Each Tet flight is more than just a journey from one place to another — it’s a journey back to one's roots, to family and love. Vietnam Airlines hopes these flights will help workers feel the community’s care and support. We want to spread humane values and foster solidarity and compassion throughout society."

The "Union Flight – Spring 2025" embodies Vietnam Airlines’ social responsibility by bringing meaningful values to the community. Thanks to these heartfelt flights, many families will enjoy a truly complete and joyful Tet reunion — the greatest gift that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and Vietnam Airlines wish to offer as we begin a new year filled with love and happiness.