With Tet nearly here, many people who work far from home are eagerly returning to gather with their families while others are still working and anxiously waiting for their holiday.
Nguyen Van Tung is working for Ha Bac Mechanical & Construction Plant No 2 in Hanoi and thoughtfully counting down the days before he can go home.
His company is working on the Hanoi Museum on Pham Hung Street in preparation for the 1,000 year Thang Long anniversary in Hanoi. Workers are making an effort to complete the construction prior to the deadline.
Tung can hardly wait to go home for Tet (Photo by A.T)
It's impossible not to notice all the activity swarming around before Tet, but workers try to concentrate on their jobs. Despite his focus, Tung can't hide his excitement. He is looking forward to seeing his wife and children.
His family is living at Tan Dinh Commune, Lang Giang District, Bac Giang Province. He has been married for 6 years and has one son and one daughter. He works hard to support his family.
Tung has stayed away from home to work for 4 years. He could not return home last Tet so is extremely eager to go home this year.
“I was feeling very sad last year when I could not visit my family. My children are waiting for me to see them this year,” said Tung.
Those who work far away from home like Tung have to deal with homesickness in order to earn higher wages.
“I will buy a kumquat tree this year, definitely. My children will be very happy because I will be able to see them for Tet,” added Tung.
Trinh Thi Hieu moved to Hanoi ten years ago to work at the Hanoi University of Culture, but as usual, she will make the trip to her hometown on the last day of the year to celebrate Tet with her family.
“I don’t have my own house in Hanoi so I go home and clean my family's home when Tet comes,” said Hieu.
Unlike Tung and Hieu, Doan Van Mat, a poet shared, “I will stay here to work until the last day of the year so my co-workers living away from home can leave earlier to help their families prepare for Tet."
Poet Doan Van Mat (Photo by A.T)
Some places in Hanoi become very busy and crowded near Tet while others become quiet and have very few people. Tet brings many feelings to people, especially those working far from home.