On the morning of January 19, 2025 (the 20th day of the 12th lunar month in the Year of the Dragon), the "Reunion Bus – Journey Home with PVOIL for Lunar New Year 2025" program was officially launched at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE). This year’s initiative is set to support over 1,100 students, studying in Ho Chi Minh City, in returning home for the Lunar New Year, with destinations stretching from Binh Thuan to Thanh Hoa provinces. Approximately 600 of these students are from HCMUTE.
The "Reunion Bus" – In Partnership with PVOIL to Celebrate Tet 2025, Officially Kicks Off
A Tradition Continues: The Reunion Bus Hits the Road
This marks the seventh year of the "Journey Home with PVOIL for Lunar New Year" program, co-organized by Vietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL), and the ninth year of the "Reunion Bus" program at HCMUTE.
Students participating in the "Reunion Bus" arrived early, greeted with warmth and assistance from HCMUTE volunteers.
Students participating in the program arrived early, receiving warm assistance from HCMUTE volunteers, eager to begin their journey.
Key attendees at the launch ceremony included Mr. Cao Hoai Duong – Chairman of the Board of Directors of PVOIL, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCMUTE, and M.A. Le Xuan Than – Secretary of the Youth Union and Deputy Head of the Communications Department.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of HCMUTE, delivered a speech at the departure ceremony, marking the beginning of the event
Voices from the Ceremony
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, in his remarks, expressed heartfelt gratitude to PVOIL for its continued support over the last seven years and to Mr. Cao Hoai Duong for his genuine care for the students in Ho Chi Minh City. “As you know, the number of students from the central and northern provinces attending university in Ho Chi Minh City has been steadily increasing. Every Lunar New Year, the desire to reunite with family becomes even more poignant. Unfortunately, for many students facing financial constraints, the high cost of transportation can make it impossible to return home. I deeply empathize with these students, particularly those from the central regions who endure the added hardships of storms and natural disasters,” shared Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh.
On behalf of PVOIL, Mr. Cao Hoai Duong expressed his happiness in witnessing the students’ excitement as they prepared to head home. “We are thrilled to be able to give students a ticket home for the Lunar New Year, ensuring they can share a warm family meal after a year of studying away from home. Many students face financial difficulties, making it impossible for them to return home, which brings sadness during a time when the festive spirit is so widespread across the country. Over the past seven years, PVOIL has partnered with HCMUTE to help more than 7,000 students return home for the holiday, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a meaningful Lunar New Year,” Mr. Duong shared.
Mr. Cao Hoai Duong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Oil Group (PVOIL), also addressed the gathering with a heartfelt speech
Support Along the Journey
This year’s program provided 25 high-quality buses, offering "zero-cost" travel for the students. The buses were stocked with refreshments and snacks, generously provided by PVOIL staff and volunteers stationed at PVOIL fuel stations along the route.
Each bus not only carried students but also carried their hopes for a joyful reunion with family after months of studying far from home. In a symbolic gesture of warmth and connection, HCMUTE staff and students also prepared and presented 1,100 homemade bánh chưng (traditional sticky rice cakes) for the students to take along on their journey. The gesture carried a meaningful message from university leadership: "HCMUTE ensures no one is left behind on the journey of knowledge."
The journey began in Ho Chi Minh City, with stops for meals in Ninh Thuan, Binh Dinh, and Ha Tinh, before concluding in Thanh Hoa. For students heading to the Central Highlands, HCMUTE arranged a special 45-seat bus traveling along National Route 14 to Kon Tum province, providing free meals along the way.