Foreigners Distribute Bottled Water to Tet Travelers

To help ease the burden for those traveling home for Tet, on the morning of January 24, many foreigners along with young volunteers across Ho Chi Minh City organized the distribution of tens of thousands of bottled water, bread, and helmets along Do Muoi Street (formerly National Highway 1A) in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City.

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On January 24 (the 25th day of the Lunar Year 2024), as observed by Dan Viet reporters, foreigners residing and working in Ho Chi Minh City joined local youth volunteers along Do Muoi Street, District 12. They formed long lines, each holding bottles of cool water to hand out to travelers.

Foreigners enthusiastically gave away tens of thousands of bottles of mineral water to people returning home to celebrate Tet At Ty, District 12. (Photo: Chinh Hoang/Dan Viet Newspaper)

People happily and excitedly return to their hometowns after receiving mineral water as gifts from foreigners. (Photo: Chinh Hoang/Dan Viet Newspaper)

Many workers rushing home to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year expressed gratitude upon receiving these small but meaningful gifts, which made their journey feel shorter and more pleasant.

Photo: Chinh Hoang/Dan Viet Newspaper

Stephan Leeuwner, a South African citizen, shared that he has been in Vietnam for five years and is married to a Vietnamese woman. He said, "Helping those on their way home with bottled water and food is a wonderful way to ensure they have a safe journey."

Photo: Chinh Hoang/Dan Viet Newspaper

Quyen Pham, a resident of Thoi An Ward, District 12, expressed her sentiments: “Offering a piece of bread or a bottle of water to someone far from home may seem small, but it truly reflects the care and compassion of the people in our city.”

This initiative is part of the activities organized by the District 12 Traffic Support Team in collaboration with local authorities. Compared to previous years, the program has expanded to two stations covering both directions, aiming to provide the best support for people traveling home for Tet. Despite the heat and dust, the team operated in shifts around the clock, providing free cold water, fresh milk, and cool towels to those entering District 12.

Over three days (January 25–27), the team plans to distribute 35,000 bottles of chilled water, 200 helmets, and 1,000 loaves of bread, along with New Year wishes and safe travels to all passersby.

Additionally, to assist travelers in other ways, the station mobilized mechanics and first-aid staff in the area to set up support teams ready to help people with vehicle breakdowns or unexpected incidents. With the spirit of working “through the night, through Tet,” the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Department (PC08) also joined in, setting up support points and handing out gifts to encourage safe journeys home for Tet.

Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Announcement At 3 p.m. today, all 51 traffic police units across Ho Chi Minh City (including 29 road and waterway patrol units from the Traffic Police Department and 22 district and Thu Duc City units) deployed to ensure traffic safety and create the best conditions for people returning home for Tet. Major roads leading in and out of the city—such as Le Quang Dao, Phan Van Khai (formerly National Highway 22), Le Kha Phieu, Le Duc Anh, Do Muoi (formerly National Highway 1A through Ho Chi Minh City), Van Tien Dung (formerly National Highway 50), and Hoang Cam (National Highway 1K)—as well as routes to Tan Son Nhat Airport, Saigon Railway Station, and major bus stations like Mien Tay, Mien Dong (old and new), and An Suong, will see continuous patrols to ensure traffic order and promptly address incidents. At complex intersections, officers and other forces will be stationed regularly to direct and regulate traffic. Traffic is expected to peak from 6–10 p.m. tonight and from 5–11 a.m. tomorrow, especially on roads leading to highways. Localized congestion is likely at on-ramps and off-ramps. Travelers are advised to check information, listen to updates on traffic conditions, and use traffic apps to plan suitable routes, avoiding congested areas to save time. During January 24–26, the Youth Traffic Police Division will distribute 13,200 bottles of water, 3,000 cool towels, 400 helmets, red envelopes promoting traffic safety, and various snacks (bread or buns, depending on the location) to encourage and support people returning home for a peaceful and happy Tet.

Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Announcement

At 3 p.m. today, all 51 traffic police units across Ho Chi Minh City (including 29 road and waterway patrol units from the Traffic Police Department and 22 district and Thu Duc City units) deployed to ensure traffic safety and create the best conditions for people returning home for Tet.

Major roads leading in and out of the city—such as Le Quang Dao, Phan Van Khai (formerly National Highway 22), Le Kha Phieu, Le Duc Anh, Do Muoi (formerly National Highway 1A through Ho Chi Minh City), Van Tien Dung (formerly National Highway 50), and Hoang Cam (National Highway 1K)—as well as routes to Tan Son Nhat Airport, Saigon Railway Station, and major bus stations like Mien Tay, Mien Dong (old and new), and An Suong, will see continuous patrols to ensure traffic order and promptly address incidents.

At complex intersections, officers and other forces will be stationed regularly to direct and regulate traffic. Traffic is expected to peak from 6–10 p.m. tonight and from 5–11 a.m. tomorrow, especially on roads leading to highways. Localized congestion is likely at on-ramps and off-ramps. Travelers are advised to check information, listen to updates on traffic conditions, and use traffic apps to plan suitable routes, avoiding congested areas to save time.

During January 24–26, the Youth Traffic Police Division will distribute 13,200 bottles of water, 3,000 cool towels, 400 helmets, red envelopes promoting traffic safety, and various snacks (bread or buns, depending on the location) to encourage and support people returning home for a peaceful and happy Tet.

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