The first time Mr. Truong welcomed New Year's Eve was when the Saigon - Hanoi train arrived at Lang Co in 2005. The second time was on Hai Van Pass in 2009 and the third time was in 2011 when he switched to the Hanoi - Vinh train.
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Mr. Dang Cao Truong is diligent in his work as a railway attendant.
“Of those three times, the most memorable moment was the moment the train from Saigon arrived at Hai Van Pass at exactly 0:00 on New Year's Eve 2009. Train SE8, the last train of the old year leaving Saigon station, carried 160 passengers running through spring from the South to the North. The company and the station organized a New Year's Eve party on the carriage and were very happy. Therefore, although we could not reunite with our families at the sacred moment of transition from the old year to the new year, we all felt cared for and shared warmly. Usually, the passengers on the last trains of the year are workers and laborers, their eyes always shining with joy when they get home. At the moment of New Year's Eve, they also excitedly called their families and joined in the atmosphere of welcoming the new year on the train. The train whizzed past the sounds of firecrackers and flares from houses burning along the road. Spring came to every home, and we were filled with joy along the train route," said Mr. Truong. However, there are also journeys home for Tet that have to be interrupted along the way for unexpected reasons. That was the case of a young mother on the Hanoi - Vinh train on the afternoon of the 29th of Tet a few years ago. Mr. Truong recalled that the female passenger and her son, about 4 years old, got on the train with a lot of luggage. When the train left the station, the boy started to cry and his body was very hot. Having learned first aid, Mr. Truong immediately took the child's temperature and urgently reported to the train captain, using the loudspeaker to seek help from passengers with expertise. At Thanh Hoa station, although the child had been given fever-reducing medicine, he was still lethargic and his body temperature did not decrease. Without hesitation, Mr. Truong took the mother and child off the train for emergency care. "At the hospital, I waited until the child was properly treated and out of danger, then returned to the station to wait for the next train. Returning home many hours later than planned, I knew my wife and children were waiting, but I felt happy because I did a good job," said Mr. Truong. Ready to serve passengers at all times Due to the nature of his job, Mr. Truong is always ready to accept train schedules at any time, even during New Year's Eve. When he is away from home during Tet, his wife takes care of the ancestral worship.
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Mr. Truong checked the passenger beds.
“Every time I receive a schedule to work for Tet, I usually arrange time off in advance to shop for my family. Fortunately, I have a strong support system, my wife and children understand and share the work with me. Therefore, I know that at the moment of New Year's Eve, I will be busy serving customers, sometimes before I can call to wish them a Happy New Year, my children will call. Usually, a few minutes before New Year's Eve, I will call to wish my mother, wife and children a Happy New Year and then rush to do my duty,” said Mr. Truong. Mr. Truong's last train this year will depart from Hanoi station at 1:20 p.m. and arrive in Vinh at 7:20 p.m. on the 29th of Tet. Then, on the 2nd day of Tet, he will continue to follow the trains. With the desire to bring passengers the best experiences in the new year, Mr. Truong and his colleagues in the flight attendant team always try to be meticulous in every detail. The blankets, sheets and mats are carefully folded and smoothed by the flight attendant team to welcome passengers to begin a journey full of hope.

N. Huyen