Ramping up focus on Tet care for Trade Union members and workers

The Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse (Binh Ngo) 2026 presents an opportunity for trade unions at all levels to intensify their efforts in caring for the material and spiritual well-being of union members and workers. In Dong Nai, trade union organizations from the provincial level down to the grassroots are currently mobilizing resources to ensure a thoughtful and meaningful Tet celebration for union members and workers.

The grassroots trade union of Vietnam Fortune Technology International Co., Ltd. (located in Dong Xoai III Industrial Park, Binh Phuoc ward) takes part in the “Vietnamese square sticky rice cake wrapping contest” for Tet 2025. Photo courtesy of the trade union

To ensure that every worker can welcome a warm and fulfilling Lunar New Year, this year's activities are focused on the grassroots level so that union members and workers facing difficulties receive timely care and support.

Ready for a joyful and meaningful Lunar New Year

According to Bui Thi Bich Thuy, Standing Vice President of the Dong Nai Provincial Confederation of Labour, since the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2025, the Federation has implemented a Tet care plan for grassroots trade unions. Under the plan, trade unions at all levels will organize Tet gatherings for union members, family reunions for workers, and cultural, sports, and interactive activities at industrial parks, worker dormitories, and enterprises. The initiative aims to ensure that all union members and workers can celebrate Tet in a joyful and warm atmosphere.

In addition, trade unions will visit, encourage, and provide gifts to union members, particularly those in difficult circumstances, suffering from severe or occupational illnesses, victims of labor accidents, or those who have not been able to return home for Tet for many years. The Provincial Labor Federation has requested that grassroots unions review and compile data on workers in need to develop specific, thoughtful support plans.

A highlight of the Tet care activities is the program organizing transport for workers to return home for Tet. This year, the “Tet for Union Members – Spring 2026” buses are expected to carry more than 2,200 workers from the central and northern provinces to their hometowns free of charge. The beneficiaries include union members who have not returned home for Tet in recent years, those who wish to travel home, and those who commit to returning to work after the holiday. These buses are scheduled to operate from February 11 to 14, 2026 (the 24th to 27th days of the 12th lunar month, corresponding to the Wood Snake or At Ty period).

According to the Provincial Labor Federation, since most industrial park workers are from other provinces, providing bus and train tickets for them to return home for Tet is a deeply humanitarian activity. In addition to provincial buses, this year, Dong Nai has been allocated 450 train tickets and 120 plane tickets by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour to bring union members home for Tet. Before departure, representatives of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the Dong Nai Provincial Confederation of Labour will personally meet the workers at train stations and airports to present gifts and offer Tet greetings.

Tran Thi Nhan, from Nghe An province and working at Amata Industrial Park in Long Binh ward, shared that during Tet 2025, she was one of the union members supported by the Bien Hoa Industrial Park Trade Union to return home via the Tet buses. She described the initiative as a humanitarian effort that allows many workers to celebrate Tet warmly with their families. “These meaningful buses from the Trade Union organization have connected workers with their families after many years away. I hope that in the upcoming Tet, many more worker families will receive tickets and reunite with their loved ones,” Nhan said.

In addition to gifts and transportation, the “TTet Reunion – Spring of Bonding” program is organized from the provincial to grassroots levels, featuring diverse activities such as gift-giving, lucky draws, cultural performances, discounted sales, and legal advice. These efforts promise to create a festive and warm Tet atmosphere for workers in industrial parks and dormitories. Notably, 9,300 union members in Dong Nai will receive online shopping vouchers for the 2026 Union Tet Market from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, each valued at 500,000 VND.

Ensuring every worker enjoys Tet

Tet care activities not only carry profound humanitarian significance but also help reinforce workers’ trust in trade unions and enterprises. A sufficient and warm Tet serves as a powerful source of encouragement, enabling workers to focus on their jobs, remain committed to their workplaces, improve productivity, and join hands in advancing the province’s socio-economic development.

In addition to Tet support from provincial authorities and higher-level trade unions, grassroots unions actively coordinate with enterprises to develop plans for caring for union members and workers. Special attention is given to workers in Dong Nai who remain at work and are unable to return home. Measures include organising year-end gatherings, visiting and presenting gifts, and holding warm end-of-year meals at workplaces. Furthermore, support is provided in the form of transportation tickets and the arrangement of suitable Tet leave, as well as salaries and bonuses, ensuring workers can celebrate the holiday with peace of mind.

A representative of the Dong Nai Provincial Confederation of Labour presents Tet gifts to union members under challenging circumstances during the Lunar New Year 2025. Photo: Nguyen Hoa

Pham Ha Thu, Chairwoman of the grassroots trade union at Lunji Vina Co., Ltd. (Ho Nai ward, Dong Nai province), stated that during Tet, union members and workers always look forward to their salaries, bonuses, and Tet gifts. Therefore, for Tet 2026, in addition to negotiating appropriate bonuses for workers, the union will increase the value of Tet gifts. Specifically, while in 2025, each gift was worth 700,000 VND, in 2026, it will rise to 800,000 VND per gift. “This effort by the trade union aims to encourage workers to enjoy a full and meaningful Tet and continue their commitment to the enterprise,” Thu said.

Speaking at the recent Coordination Conference of grassroots trade unions across five enterprise zones in the province, Nguyen Duc Thang, Vice President of the Dong Nai Provincial Labour Federation, emphasised that caring for union members and workers during Tet is a key responsibility of the trade union. Grassroots unions should closely monitor workers in difficult circumstances or those unable to return home for Tet to provide timely, thoughtful support, ensuring that every worker can celebrate a meaningful Tet. Additionally, unions are tasked with supervising the implementation of enterprise policies and enhancing their role in negotiating salaries and Tet bonuses for workers.

With early and thoughtful preparations, trade unions at all levels in Dong Nai are making every effort to ensure that all union members and workers enjoy a Tet holiday marked by reunion, peace, and happiness. The Tet gifts and “charity transportation” trips not only bring joy but also spark hope and motivation, encouraging union members and workers to strengthen their attachment to both their enterprises and the trade union organization.

The Tet care activities organized by the Dong Nai Provincial Labour Federation go beyond material support, carrying profound spiritual meaning that reflects the trade union's care, solidarity, and continued companionship with workers. These efforts help strengthen trust and foster closer ties between workers, enterprises, and the trade union, creating momentum for the workforce to enter the new year with renewed energy and determination.

By Nguyen Hoa - Translated by Hong Van, Minho