They didn't have much time for spring outings or leisurely tea ceremonies at the beginning of the year, but it was precisely this dedication that contributed to keeping the capital city peaceful, orderly, and clean during the spring season.
On the morning of the 2nd, sanitation workers were present early in many central streets. After the bustling New Year's Eve and the first day of the new year, the amount of waste was higher than usual. Collection vehicles rolled along one after another, the rustling sound of bamboo brooms blending with the cool spring air.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a worker at Thang Long Environmental Services Joint Stock Company who has been dedicated to the job for many years, said that the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) are the busiest time of the year. On the 29th day of the 12th lunar month (the 30th day of Tet), due to the enormous increase in garbage, she and her colleagues in the team have to work continuously, making many extra trips compared to normal days. At times, they would finish cleaning one spot, and a few minutes later the garbage pile would be full again.
Ms. Hoa said that on both the first and second days of Tet (Lunar New Year), she started collecting garbage at 5 a.m. and worked until 3 p.m. "It's tiring, but seeing the streets clean and people enjoying themselves makes me happy too," she shared simply.
It can be said that behind the neat and clean streets are the tireless footsteps of those who silently maintain the appearance of the capital city during the early days of spring.
In hospitals throughout the city, the atmosphere of Tet holiday duty remains serious and urgent. In the emergency departments of hospitals, doctors and nurses take turns on duty 24/7. Particularly at K Hospital – which treats thousands of cancer patients from all over the country – the Tet holiday duty atmosphere has a very unique character. Unlike typical emergency hospitals, this hospital has many patients requiring long-term treatment, some even unable to return home to celebrate Tet with their families.
In the early days of the new year, the medical team maintained full shifts of specialized personnel, ensuring treatment and close monitoring of patient progress. Anesthesiologist Tran Thi Que said she was used to spending Tet (Lunar New Year) in the hospital. "The operating room doesn't have the concept of taking a Tet holiday. As long as a patient needs us, we're there. Seeing a safe surgery and a stable patient is our joy at the beginning of the year," she said simply. The shifts continued to operate regularly, ensuring that every professional procedure was carried out seriously and with absolute safety.
According to Ms. Que, Tet at K Hospital is not only a professional duty but also a responsibility of sharing. "Many patients live far away, are in difficult circumstances, and cannot return home. We try to spend extra time checking on them and encouraging them so they feel warmer during the Spring days," she said.
Although they couldn't be fully reunited with their families, Ms. Que and her colleagues always considered working during Tet (Lunar New Year) as a particularly important task because the health and lives of patients cannot wait. Saving lives in the first days of the new year is also a joy in their profession.
Not only the healthcare sector, but also the police and fire departments are on strict duty shifts. The second day of the Lunar New Year is a day when many families hold gatherings and welcome guests; activities such as burning incense, cooking, and using electrical appliances increase significantly. The risk of fire and explosions is always present if people are careless or negligent. Especially in residential areas, many self-governing groups maintain duty schedules and monitor the local situation. New Year's greetings are interspersed with work-related phone calls. A sense of community responsibility is clearly demonstrated in the first days of the new year.
On the morning of the second day of Tet (Lunar New Year), in Residential Area 35, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Ward, the patrol teams continued to perform their duties well. Ms. Hoang Thi Bich Lien, Party Secretary and Head of the Front Committee of Area 35, said that maintaining Tet patrols has become a long-standing tradition. The self-governing teams were on duty throughout the year, starting from the night of the 30th of Tet. Right at the moment of midnight, the security forces were stationed at checkpoints, reminding people not to dump garbage illegally and to maintain environmental hygiene during the peak days. In the evening, members took turns patrolling, promptly reminding those who showed signs of illegally setting off firecrackers or playing music after 9 PM, which affected the community's daily life.
“Tet is for fun, but fun must be safe and civilized. Everyone in the group voluntarily arranged their family affairs to fulfill their common duties,” Ms. Lien shared. Thanks to this proactive approach, the first days of Spring in residential area 35 took place in a clean, peaceful atmosphere, without any complicated incidents.
Alongside their duties of ensuring security and order, the Election Team No. 22 of Residential Area 35 also maintained continuous duty from February 3rd throughout the Tet holiday. Members welcomed and guided residents in reviewing the voter list, ensuring that citizens' rights and obligations were fully exercised. Amidst the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, the image of these grassroots officials quietly working further highlighted their sense of responsibility towards the local political mission.
On the second day of Tet (Lunar New Year) this year, many central streets in Hanoi saw a significant reduction in traffic compared to normal days. There were no more prolonged traffic jams, and the air was fresher. Behind this smooth flow of traffic was the harmonious coordination between various functional forces: regulating traffic, handling violations, and assisting citizens when needed. The figures in reflective vests silently standing at intersections, amidst the spring breeze, became a pillar of peace for the city.
Tet is a time for family reunions, but for those on duty, reunions are sometimes "postponed" until after their shift. Many families are used to their children, husbands, or wives being absent from the first meal of the year. This understanding provides a strong support system, allowing them to focus on fulfilling their duties.
Without fanfare or ostentation, the shifts on the second day of the Lunar New Year passed quietly. The city remained brightly lit, the streets clean, patients received timely care, and security and order were maintained. Thus, spring was even more complete for millions of people.
Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the Lunar New Year celebrations, perhaps few people think about the people quietly working behind the scenes. But it is they who contribute to creating a peaceful and compassionate Hanoi during the first days of the new year. And when their shift ends, the relieved smiles on their faces are the simple joys of those who keep the spring rhythm alive for the capital.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lam-xuyen-tet-de-thu-do-sach-dep-734063.html
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