As a first-year student studying at the University of Labor and Social Affairs (District 12), Nguyen Y Nhu was happy because she was one of the people who received an early ticket home.
“As soon as the center opened the registration portal on Facebook, I registered immediately. Even though I registered early, I was still worried, afraid that my situation would not allow me to get a ticket home,” Nhu confided.
Y Nhu (wearing a hat) goes to the Student Support Center to receive a 0 VND bus ticket.
The Spring Bus 2025 program has begun to give away the first free bus tickets. The bus tickets are not only travel luggage but also a meaningful spiritual gift, spreading the warmth of spring to many provinces and cities. Photo: Hue Xuan
Nhu said her family has 3 siblings, her older sister is studying at Banking University in Ho Chi Minh City, her younger brother is studying high school in her hometown, and her mother is suffering from a serious illness. After school, Nhu has to work part-time at a fried chicken shop to save money to go back to her hometown to visit her elderly mother.
The bus ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Dinh province costs about 300,000 VND, and the price increases by nearly 1.5 million VND on the day before Tet. Just counting the ticket price to go home and back to Ho Chi Minh City, the two sisters spent about 5 million VND.
“If I stayed in Ho Chi Minh City, I could work during Tet with double or triple my salary. However, what my mother wants most is family reunion and I also miss my mother’s meals,” Nhu confided.
The first zero-dong bus tickets were handed to students. Photo: Provided by the Center
Holding the bus ticket in hand, Huynh Mai, a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, smiled happily. After 3 years of studying in Ho Chi Minh City, this year Mai was able to return home to celebrate Tet with her family.
“I will keep it a secret until the last minute to surprise my family. I am sure they are all looking forward to my return. I will use the extra money to buy cakes, gifts and new clothes for my siblings,” Mai said excitedly.
The 2025 Spring Bus also supports freelance workers and the elderly in difficult circumstances to return home for Tet. Photo: Provided by the Center
According to Mr. Le Nguyen Nam, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Student Support Center, the Spring Bus 2025 program supports students in difficult circumstances, with registered residence in localities in the Central region from Thanh Hoa to Binh Thuan, some provinces in the Central Highlands and localities that suffered heavy damage due to natural disasters. In addition, the program also supports a number of freelance workers (street vendors, lottery ticket sellers, etc.) to return to their hometowns on this occasion.
“This is an activity that has been initiated and implemented annually by the center since 2002. Up to now, 60,400 students and disadvantaged workers have been supported to return home for Tet, which demonstrates the great need of students, as well as the efforts of the organizing units and the hearts of the supporting units,” said Mr. Nam.
It is expected that the 2025 spring bus will roll out, bringing children far away from home back to their hometown on the morning of January 20 (December 21 of the lunar calendar).
Source: https://nld.com.vn/nhung-cau-chuyen-am-long-phia-sau-tam-ve-xe-0-dong-196241229125911796.htm
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