Original Vietnamese content is translated by LaoDongAI
Workers leave Phu Quoc island to return to their hometown for Tet. Photo: Nam Phuong
Workers leave Phu Quoc island to return to their hometown for Tet. Photo: Nam Phuong

Workers leave Phu Quoc island, share their feelings when returning home for Tet

NGUYÊN ANH (báo lao động) 21/02/2026 08:10 (GMT+7)

An Giang - Tet is coming, many workers temporarily put aside their jobs on Phu Quoc pearl island, returning to their hometowns to reunite with their families.

Phu Quoc is an attractive destination, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit and relax each year. In addition, this place also welcomes a large number of workers from many provinces and cities to work, earn a living and start a business.

When Tet comes, many workers temporarily put aside their work and return to their hometowns to reunite with their families, bringing joy and achievements after a year of effort on the pearl island.

Những hành trang về quê đón Tết cũng là hành trang ít hôm nữa quay lại Phú Quốc làm việc của anh Tài. Ảnh: Nam Phương
The luggage to return to his hometown for Tet is also the luggage for Mr. Tai to return to Phu Quoc to work in a few days. Photo: Nam Phuong

Mr. Nguyen Tri Tai, from Vinh Thanh commune, Can Tho city, came to Phu Quoc to work from 2014 to now. After a year of diligently touring and traveling with tourists all over the pearl island, he himself is also looking forward to the moments of returning to gather with his family on Tet.

Besides those who still stay to work throughout Tet, there are also people who return to their hometowns after 1 year of hard work.

In the last days of the year, when Phu Quoc is still busy welcoming tourists to visit, in the small room, Mr. Tai takes advantage of arranging luggage, preparing some cakes, candies, and specialties as gifts for relatives. The excitement and anticipation are clearly visible on the face of the child far from home. Outside the port, the ships are ready to go to sea, on the shore are many passengers also excitedly waiting to board the ship to return to their hometown like Mr. Tai.

Những người xa quê đến Phú Quốc làm việc như anh Tài rất nôn nao trở về quê nhà mỗi dịp Tết đến. Ảnh: Nam Phương
People far from home coming to Phu Quoc to work like Mr. Tai are very eager to return to their hometown every Tet holiday. Photo: Nam Phuong

Mr. Tai confided: "In the early days when I came to Phu Quoc to start a career, the emotions were very indescribable, and when I prepared my belongings to return to my hometown for Tet, the feeling was no less than the first day I came to Phu Quoc. I feel happy and happy working on this island, having many new experiences and training myself a lot of bravery. When I returned to my hometown, I thought about telling my experiences and feelings to everyone in my hometown to know about Phu Quoc.

Phu Quoc pearl island is changing day by day with high-rise buildings and a bustling flow of tourists. This is a resort destination and also a place for thousands of workers from all over the country to work. They come with dreams of changing their lives, leaving behind their homeland and beloved families. And after a year, Tet is the most anticipated moment, the moment of returning home to reunite with family.

Mr. Nguyen Van Giau, residing in Tri Ton commune, An Giang province, shared: "I have been in Phu Quoc since 2014. Working all year only returning to my hometown once during Tet, so the feeling is very emotional, restless, and longing. I also crave the feeling of a happy family, gathering to wrap cakes, and worshiping New Year's Eve, it is very warm because at that time I leave behind all the hustle and bustle of life, worrying every day when going to work".

During Tet days, Phu Quoc wharf becomes crowded, in each passenger's hand is a small gift bag, a few specialties as gifts for the family, simple luggage, but containing a whole year of hard work. The train leaves the wharf, carrying so much hope and joy, connecting geographical distance, connecting hearts that are turning to each other.

Những chuyến tàu đưa người lao động về quê ăn Tết cũng sẽ đón họ quay lại làm việc sau Tết. Ảnh: Nam Phương
Trains taking workers home for Tet will also pick them up to return to work after Tet. Photo: Nam Phuong

Mr. Vu Truong Giang, Captain of Phu Quoc Express ship, said: "People going to work far away want to return to their hometowns to reunite with their families on Tet. The ship has also operated at full capacity, increasing trips continuously to serve bringing people back to the mainland to reunite with their families. All of our crew members also try their best, serving wholeheartedly to bring people back to the port safely.

When spring passes, workers continue their journey of making a living, establishing themselves, and starting a career in Phu Quoc pearl island. And then every Tet holiday, the journey back begins again, in joy and desire to reunite.

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