Overseas Vietnamese travel a long way home, eager for family reunion on Tet holiday

On the afternoon of February 7 (December 28, the last working day before the Lunar New Year holiday), the number of people pouring into Noi Bai Airport ( Hanoi ) was larger than usual. In the photo are passengers at the check-in counter of domestic terminal T1.

Outside the arrivals and departures halls, the scene was crowded and congested as vehicles continuously picked up and dropped off passengers or stopped to wait for luggage. As Tet approached, many people were carrying bulky boxes and full suitcases.

Quang Huy's family departed from Paris (France) to Ho Chi Minh City and then took a flight back to Hanoi to celebrate Tet, which took a total of 20 hours including waiting time. The cart of this Vietnamese expatriate family was loaded with luggage for the trip back to their homeland.

Huy's mother was happy to see her daughter-in-law and grandson at the airport. "Because we live far away, my son and I cannot come back often, but Tet is different. I think reuniting with family is meaningful, so we must arrange to go home with our son at all costs," Huy shared.

After traveling more than 11 hours from Germany to Hanoi, Ms. Kieu Trinh had to wait another 7 hours for a flight back to her hometown in Quang Binh . This year, the round-trip airfare she spent to return home to celebrate Tet with her family was nearly 30 million VND.

Crowded scene at the entrance to the check-in counter. Passengers lined up both inside and outside the designated area.

Luckily for passengers, this afternoon, not many flights departing from Noi Bai airport were delayed.

Some passengers boarded the flight with peach blossom branches and flower bouquets in their hands, bringing the Tet atmosphere back to their hometowns. Many people looked happy and excited because in just a few hours they would be reunited with their families.

On this occasion, many foreign tourists take the opportunity to take flights to famous places in Vietnam.

At 2:30 p.m., the rest area was full. Luggage was piled up on trolleys.

Previously, Noi Bai International Airport advised passengers to use public transport during peak hours instead of private vehicles to reduce pressure on the parking lot at Terminal 1. The unit also encouraged passengers to use web check-in or kiosk check-in; and to keep check-in codes on their own phones for convenient check-in procedures.

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