About 2,800 pregnant women, children and the elderly from HCMC and other southern localities are returning to their hometowns in central Vietnam by train this Friday and Saturday.
On the way to central Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City, the train would pick up more passengers in Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces.
Four such train rides have been organized for people to return to their hometowns in an organized manner, which is important because the central region is frequently exposed to hazardous weather conditions and an incoming storm has been predicted.
">At 8 a.m. on Friday, the first train leaving Saigon station was carrying around 400 pregnant women, mothers, young children, patients and the elderly. 200 others on board were students.
On the way to central Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City, the train carried more passengers in Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces.
Four of these train rides were arranged for people to return to their hometowns in an organized manner, which is important as the central region is frequently exposed to dangerous weather conditions and an impending storm is forecast.
To board the trains, passengers must have a negative coronavirus test certificate issued within the previous 72 hours.">To board trains, passengers must have a negative coronavirus test certificate issued within the previous 72 hours.
Pham Van Bay, a senior official with the Saigon Railway, said each coach has 64 seats, but only half can be seated to ensure social distancing.">Pham Van Bay, a senior Saigon Railroad official, said each coach has 64 seats, but only half can be seated to ensure social distancing.
Nguyen Thi Ly (L), along with her mother and her two children (aged six years and two months old), are returning home to Quang Binh Province's Bo Trach District.
"For the past four months, my husband and I have been unemployed and do not have enough money to sustain ourselves. My 6-year-old must return home to go to school, while my husband stays back in the city to get a job," Ly said.
">Nguyen Thi Ly (left), with his mother and two children (aged six years and two months), return home to Bo Trach district of Quang Binh province.
“For four months my husband and I have been unemployed and do not have enough money to support ourselves. My 6 year old has to come home to go to school, while my husband stays in town to find a job. “Ly said.
Sitting in the same coach, Tran Thi Phuong, 25, feeds her one-year-old daughter some porridge before the train departs.
She said she and her husband have been deprived of their livelihoods due to the pandemic, forcing them to go back to her hometown for now.
">Sitting in the same car, 25-year-old Tran Thi Phuong gives her one-year-old daughter porridge before the train departs.
She said she and her husband have been deprived of their livelihood due to the pandemic, forcing them to return to her hometown for the time being.
A child wears a protective suit on the train. Many children are being taken back to the countryside to attend school, with epicenter HCMC yet to reopen its schools.">A child wears a protective suit on the train. Many children are brought back to the countryside to go to school, the HCMC epicenter not yet having reopened its schools.
Van Cong, 69, is attended to by a health worker. The liver cancer patient said he had got stuck in Ho Chi Minh City since June when he went there for treatment.
"My condition is severe now. I only wish to get back to my hometown, no matter what," he said.
">Van Cong, 69, is being looked after by a health worker. The liver cancer patient said he had been stuck in Ho Chi Minh City since June when he went there for treatment.
“My condition is serious now. I just want to go back to my hometown no matter what,” he said.
Three coaches on the train are used as emergency rooms and places to store medical equipment. Four health workers are on the train to handle any medical emergency that may arise.">Three cars on the train serve as emergency rooms and storage places for medical equipment. Four health workers are on the train to deal with any medical emergency that may arise.
A man waves goodbye to his loved ones before the train departs.
In a document issued to localities Thursday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that those still maintaining strict social distancing measures persuade people to stay back so that they can be supported and, in turn, facilitate economic recovery.
Those who still wish to return have to inform respective localities the details of their destination, departure and arrival.
">A man says goodbye to his relatives before the train departs.
In a document delivered to localities on Thursday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on those who still maintain strict social distancing measures to persuade people to stay so that they can be supported and, in turn, facilitate economic recovery. .
Those who still wish to return should inform the respective localities of the details of their destination, departure and arrival.
