While most people enjoy a family reunion on Tet, many underprivileged immigrants in HCM City cannot return home for lack of money.

Several Tets away from home

For some, who have not seen their children in years, Tet is not the happiest time of the year.

On New Year's Eve, Le Thi Hong, from Hai Duong Province, was still busy with her daily work as a meat and vegetables seller along Phan Dang Luu Road. She has worked away from home for nearly 15 years and has returned home for Tet only three times. She is forced to celebrate Tet alone in the city.

“When I left my home for the first time to work in HCM City, my first daughter was just a little girl. Now she is married and an expecting mother. I intend to return home to take care of her for a few days when she gives birth instead of on Tet to save expenses,” Hong said.

Many other immigrants are in the same situation. Nguye Ngoc Thai, from Quang Ngai Provice, intended to return home for Tet. He has worked away from home for three years. However, he was finally unable to do so because he has yet to pay off his debts and has no money for house repairs after a storm in his hometown.

Working holiday

Hong now plans on staying in the city to earn money. He usually sells lottery tickets, but Tet means a slump in sales for him, as most people are out of town or celebrating with their families. Now he must take odd jobs anyplace he can find them.

“Everyone wants to reunite with their families on Tet but the lack of money is a major obstacle,” said Tran Thi Binh, a plastic collector. She decided to save money to send to her family instead of returning home.

Simple Tet for low-income immigrants

Nguyen Duc Trong has grown used to Tet with no family. He sells noodles in HCM City, but is from Quang Nam Province. “I’ve got used to Tet away from home. On the New Year’s Eve night I often just have some drinks with friends. I just take one day off on the first day of the lunar New Year and resume working,” he said.

Some of these solitary people make an effort by contributing money to buy a handful of sweets for Tet. For them, Tet is nothing special and many start working right on the night of the first day of the lunar New Year.