As spring begins to touch every doorstep, the footsteps of workers seem to quicken and rush throughout the streets. This is because, in order to welcome a warmer Tet season, they must gather and save both inside and outside their homes to fill their rice jars, stock up on fish sauce, and add pickled vegetables…

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha (left) and Mrs. Ha Thi Lien reflect on the joys of the days leading up to Lunar New Year At Ty. Despite the hardships they face, due to a relentless illness, they always hope for good health and peace in the new year. Photo: T.V.

In our conversation, it seemed that deep within their eyes and smiles lay the weight of worries about the costs associated with Tet. Fortunately, alongside these unfortunate lives, there are still local authorities, philanthropists, and generous individuals who share and provide support, giving them more opportunities to celebrate Tet fully.

1. Under the evening sunset, I met Mrs. Ngo Thi Kim Lan (85 years old, Ba Ria - Vung Tau) selling lottery tickets on Trieu Nu Vuong Street. At this late stage of her life, Mrs. Lan's voice remains clear, and her memory is quite sharp; she recalls vivid memories from her life, from the "falls" she thought she could never recover from to the simple joy of being greeted by passersby who inquire about her name and age. Talking with her, I truly felt the profound struggles of this woman who lost her husband early and has been raising four children on her own.

To this day, she continues to roam the streets of the city to support herself and send money back home to help her daughter, a single mother raising seven children. Indeed, at her age, anyone would wish for a home filled with children and grandchildren, to be cared for, loved, and pampered. Yet she finds herself alone in a foreign land, quietly navigating the streets from early morning until late at night, experiencing days of hunger and days of plenty, and then returning to a sparse room in a lottery ticket vendor's boarding house. However, she speaks slowly as if to comfort both me and herself, saying that despite the hardships, she always focuses on the positive—being loved by those around her is a stroke of luck in her life.

As Tet approaches, Mrs. Lan reflects on her journey of leaving her homeland and coming to Da Nang to make a living by selling lottery tickets for over 33 years. Throughout the time in the city, which is known for its livability, she tirelessly roams the streets before, during, and after Tet. During this period, she hopes to sell more than usual to have enough funds to send back home to help her daughter prepare for Tet, including making offerings for their ancestors and her husband. Although it is challenging, this is an opportunity for her to earn extra income to cover expenses for the Lunar New Year and save for after Tet.

“I am provided free accommodation by the lottery ticket agency, and my daily food expenses only amount to about 40,000 to 50,000 dong. On some occasions, shops and charitable organizations offer free meals, which helps me save a little more. Over the years, as Tet approaches, many generous individuals have given me cakes, jams, sunflower seeds, and sticky rice cakes to celebrate the spring and welcome the new year, when they saw I am old and living alone. Therefore, I save all the money I make from selling lottery tickets to send back to my children and grandchildren. Every spring, I just hope to have enough health to continue this journey so that I can take care of my grandchildren for as long as possible,” Mrs. Lan expressed.

Mrs. Lan's boarding house is located on Hoang Dieu Street, home to nearly 30 lottery ticket sellers, each from different regions—some from Quảng Nam, others from Quảng Ngai, and even a few from as far as Phu Yen and Nha Trang. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they all share a common determination to work hard for a fulfilling spring season. Ms. Nguyen Thi Xinh (45 years old, from Quang Ngai) hurriedly pushes her old, worn bicycle and plans to sell tickets late into the night. She mentions that typically, residents of the boarding house return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet on the 28^th and 29^th of the lunar calendar. Therefore, during this time, they dedicate themselves to selling both day and night to earn enough money for buying cakes, jams, and clothing for their husbands and children. For her and her fellow townspeople, their budget planning extends beyond just the Tet season; it encompasses expenses throughout the entire year. However, as Tet approaches, there are many costs to cover, so they always strive to make a living.

“Although we know there are countless difficulties ahead, every year on the 27^th of the lunar calendar, we gather together to share what we have and celebrate the joy of the upcoming new year,” Ms. Xinh said with a smile.

2. Unlike Mrs. Lan's boarding house, the atmosphere of Tet at the boarding house for 15 dialysis patients on Hai Phong Street is somewhat subdued. They cannot earn money on their own and must rely on the love and support of their families, as well as assistance from local authorities and organizations. Although they differ in age, gender, and hometowns, they share a common experience of poverty and relentless illness. As a result, when Tet is mentioned, it adds to their burdens, feelings of helplessness, and endless worries. For them, simply catching glimpses of Tet decorations like kumquat trees and peach blossoms on television or banners brings the flavors of Tet into their hearts, providing some comfort amidst the opulence of the city.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha (37 years old, from Quang Nam) shared that she has been suffering from end-stage kidney disease and has undergone regular dialysis at Da Nang Hospital three times a week for the past 17 years. This long time away from her hometown means that every Tet holiday, she is separated from her family. Occasionally, her dialysis schedule falls on the first day of Tet, and after celebrating the New Year with her family, she has to prepare to take a bus back to Da Nang. In her younger days, she worked part-time at a food stall to earn extra income for food, accommodation, and medication. However, the prolonged dialysis treatments have gradually weakened her health; now, just walking a few steps makes her tired, so she can no longer work and must rely on her elderly mother for care and support. Out of concern for her daughter living far away and suffering from illness, her mother has set aside her farming duties to come to Da Nang and work as a housekeeper to help with both household and financial needs.

"Therefore, as Tet approaches, even after calculating all the expenses, my mother still struggles to make ends meet on her own. That’s why every year, as Tet draws near, the essential gift packages—such as sunflower seeds, cooking oil, fish sauce, sugar, rice, and soy sauce—provided by the local government, the police department, and generous donors help me and many other dialysis patients feel less alone in our fight against illness. This support is incredibly valuable and comforts us during Tet when we are far from home,” Sister Hà said emotionally.

Similar to Ms. Ha, Mrs. Ha Thi Lien (52 years old, from Quang Nam) has been undergoing dialysis for over 10 years. With her declining health and multiple underlying conditions, she is unable to work and relies on her family's support to cover living expenses in the boarding house. Regular days are tough, but Tet brings even greater challenges. Despite her efforts to save, the necessary expenses are always at the forefront of her mind. “Every year, as the end of the year approaches, I receive support packages from various organizations and charities that deeply move me. These small gifts carry immense love and compassion, ensuring that I and everyone in the boarding house do not feel alone. For me, this is a tremendous source of motivation to continue enduring the painful days of dialysis,” Mrs. Lien expressed with emotion.

When I asked about their wishes for the new year, both Ms Ha and Mrs. Lien expressed a shared desire for better health to ease the burden on their families. For a long time, in the boarding house for dialysis patients, no one wishes each other success or good fortune anymore; instead, they simply wish for health. Because with good health, they can celebrate many more Tet holidays together in the future. Leaving the boarding house for lottery ticket sellers and the dialysis patients behind, the way to home felt longer than usual. I share in their worries and hope that their future paths will be filled with peace and calm, whether during Tet or throughout the four seasons of the year. More than anything, I wish that generous donors and philanthropists continue to share their support, giving dialysis patients more opportunities to celebrate a fulfilling Tet.

Reporting by TUONG VY – Translating by HONG VAN