Saigon Co.op executives give Tết gifts to passengers benefiting from the Saigon Co.op’s free Happy Bus programme. — Photo courtesy of Saigon Co.op

Saigon Co.op organised a send-off ceremony for 900 disadvantaged people leaving by 20 free buses from HCM City and Hà Nội to their hometowns for Tết (Lunar New Year holiday) on February 5 under its “Chuyến xe hạnh phúc” (Happy Bus) programme.

They left from Co.opmart Tô Ký in HCM City’s District 12 for provinces in the south-western, Central Highlands and central regions, and from the capital’s Hà Đông District for provinces in the north and north-west.

This year, the programme is supported by Unilever, Coca Cola, P&G, and Mayhome.

The passengers were provided with travel expenses, free food and drinks throughout the trip and Tết gift baskets totally worth more than VNĐ1 million each.

When the buses pass through localities that have Co.opmart stores, local staff provided them with water and food.

The majority of the passengers are workers at export processing zones and industrial parks, students, casual labourers, and unemployed people.

More than 40 per cent of the passengers travelled with their spouses and, in many cases, children.

To ensure safety, the drivers were carefully selected and took turns driving. The last passenger, who lives in Quảng Bình, was dropped off after 24 hours.

At the send-off, Nguyễn Ngọc Thắng, Co.opmart’s operations director, said: “Saigon Co.op's Happy Bus programme was highly appreciated when launched in 2023.

“Following that success, this year the programme has been expanded to Hà Nội, and is expected to become an annual activity.

“It is suitable for big cities that attract a large number of workers from other provinces.” — VNS