Vice chairman of the HCM City People's Committee, Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, gives Tet gifts to a student on January 20.
The buses, arranged by local authorities and some sponsors, took them to their homes in central and Central Highlands localities.
Besides the free bus trips, the workers and students were also presented gifts worth VND700,000 each.
Luong Van Phuoc, a student at HCM City Transport University, was very happy to receive free transportation home for the Tet holiday.
"This is a meaningful present that shows love and care from local authorities and kind donors," Phuoc said. "It helped us save some money and time and brought us more warmth and joy on this special occasion."
Mai Thi Huong, 62, a lottery ticket seller, was also given a free bus ride to her home in Phu Yen Province.
Huong said that due to her modest income, she sometimes stays in HCM City during the Tet festival to save money.
"Although I always want to see my family during Tet, sometimes I can't afford to buy a bus ticket," she said. "And this year, I'm very happy to be offered a free ride home."
According to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, thousands of free train, bus, and air tickets are being offered to low-income workers and students across several provinces and cities.
According to the scheme, each worker will be given financial support of between VND500,000 and VND1 million to travel home for the Tet holiday.