In a modest 15-square-metre rented room, Hoang Van Thang, a worker at Fukang Technology Co Ltd in Quang Chau Industrial Park, was on the phone checking on his three-year-old son.

Le Duc Tho, Vice Chairman of the provincial Labour Federation, presents gifts to workers who remain in rented accommodation to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Thang and his wife, both from the northern province of Lang Son, have worked in Bac Ninh for nearly five years. Their son has been sent back to their hometown to live with his grandparents.

The couple’s combined monthly income averages nearly 17 million VND (745 USD). After covering daily expenses, they manage to send home 7–8 million VND each month to support their child and save for the future. Asked whether he plans to return home for Tet this year, Thang paused before answering.

“Of course everyone wants to reunite with family during Tet, visit grandparents and enjoy time together,” he said. “Our hometown is only about 200 kilometres away. But our income just covers daily needs. Going home means additional expenses for travel and gifts. If the company asks us to work through Tet again this year, I may register to stay and earn some extra money”.

Similar concerns weigh on many migrant workers across Bac Ninh’s industrial zones. For them, Tet is often a time of mixed emotions - joy at the thought of family reunion, coupled with difficult financial choices.

At a small shop near her rented accommodation, Nong Thi Lan, a worker at Goertek Vina Technology Co Ltd in Que Vo Industrial Park, carefully selected clothes for her young son. Each outfit cost 120,000 VND, but after some hesitation she decided to buy only two.

Lan’s husband remains in their hometown, where poor health prevents him from working steadily. He takes care of small-scale livestock farming and looks after both sides of the family. Mentioning Tet, Lan’s voice softened.

“I miss my child very much, but it will be hard to go home this year,” she said. “I’ve saved nearly 20 million VND from my bonus, final salary and small savings, which I plan to transfer home so my family can cover Tet expenses. Staying in the rented area during Tet won’t leave much time to feel sad - like last year, I’ll try to find extra work to earn more and distract myself”.

Such decisions reflect the shared reality of tens of thousands of migrant workers in Bac Ninh. While returning home is not entirely impossible, many choose to stay behind to prioritise longer-term financial security for their families.

For those who take on additional work during the holiday, higher Tet wages, often double or triple normal rates, provide both financial relief and emotional motivation.

According to provincial authorities, Bac Ninh is home to about 600,000 industrial workers, around 60% of whom come from other provinces. Many remain in rented housing during Tet due to overtime work, seasonal jobs or family circumstances.

To support workers during the holiday, the provincial Labour Federation has continued a range of Tet programmes, including trade union Tet markets, Zero-VND stalls, family reunion events and year-end union meals. This year, additional resources have been allocated to prioritise migrant workers unable to return home.

Le Duc Tho, Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Labour Federation, said the union has used its funds to provide 25,000 bus tickets, each worth 200,000 VND, to workers from distant provinces, helping them travel home for the holiday. For those staying behind, local unions are organising warm and festive activities at workplaces and residential areas.

Where large numbers of workers remain in the province, the federation will continue its “Tet Away from Home” programme for the third consecutive year, offering Tet gifts, communal meals and traditional Canh Chung wrapping sessions.

Alongside trade unions, proactive support from businesses also plays a crucial role. At Samsung Display Vietnam in Yen Phong Industrial Park, plans to care for more than 26,000 workers during Tet were rolled out early.

In addition to performance-based bonuses, the company has coordinated with its union to identify and assist workers facing hardship, while organising cultural activities to create a festive atmosphere for those staying on site.

With Tet drawing closer, many migrant workers may postpone their journey home until after the holiday. But thanks to joint efforts by unions, businesses and local communities, workers across Bac Ninh’s industrial parks are still able to welcome the new year with warmth, solidarity and renewed hope.

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