Tet union care programs reach over 12 million workers and families

THE HANOI TIMES — An estimated more than 12 million union members, workers and their family members are expected to benefit from Tet care programs organized by trade unions nationwide this year, according to Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

Hieu said that as many workers continue to face difficulties due to natural disasters, economic volatility and disruptions in global supply chains, trade unions at all levels have rolled out broad and coordinated support programs for the 2026 Lunar New Year.

According to Hieu, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has directed unions to implement Tet care activities in a focused and targeted manner.

Programs are designed flexibly to suit local conditions, industries and workplaces while ensuring all union members and workers receive attention and support.

Several signature union programs have been maintained and expanded. These include Tet Sum Vay (Tet Reunion), Union Tet Markets, Union Flights, Union Trains, Union Buses, Tet for Children and Tet Close to Home, alongside visits and gift-giving for workers in difficult circumstances, those staying on duty during Tet and migrant workers who have not been able to reunite with their families for many years.

One of the highlights this year is the Union Tet Market – Spring 2026 program, organized nationwide in both in-person and online formats.

At Union Tet Markets, workers can purchase essential Tet goods at discounts ranging from 10% to 50%. In many localities, shopping vouchers worth VND200,000–VND500,000 (US$8–$20) per person are also provided, depending on local capacity.

The support helps ease spending pressure for workers, especially as prices of some goods tend to rise toward year-end.

The online Union Tet Market, now in its third consecutive year, has continued to deliver strong results. In 2026, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour issued 250,000 online shopping vouchers nationwide.

After more than one month of implementation, the platform recorded over two million visits and 215,000 successful purchases, with total transaction value reaching nearly VND110 billion (US$4.5 million).

For workers on shift-based schedules who have limited time to visit traditional markets, the online platform allows shopping at any time, including at night or on rest days.

Products are diverse, quality-assured and prioritize Vietnamese goods with reasonable prices. Many businesses also offer free delivery, with total shipping support valued at tens of billions of dong.

Alongside shopping support, helping workers return home for Tet remains a key focus. For many years, Union Flights, Union Trains and Union Buses have served as an important source of encouragement for hundreds of thousands of migrant workers.

During the 2026 Lunar New Year, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour continues to work with Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Railways to operate Union Flights and Union Trains.

Under the program, 500 one-way air tickets with Tet gifts are provided to workers in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh while 2,000 round-trip train tickets with Tet gifts are allocated to multiple localities and the railway sector. Notably, each supported worker may travel with one family member, adding to the meaning of family reunion.

In addition to nationally coordinated programs, local and sectoral trade unions have partnered with businesses to organize thousands of bus, train and flight trips, enabling workers to return home for Tet safely and at low cost.

Taken together, these Tet care activities go beyond individual programs or figures. They help ease hardship, strengthen morale and reinforce workers’ confidence after a demanding year.

Through the combined efforts of trade unions, businesses and social resources, the spirit of social responsibility and solidarity continues to gain momentum nationwide.