Hanoi – Nhan Dan Newspaper, in coordination with Coteccons Construction Joint Stock Company (CTD), officially launched the “Xây Tết 2026” program under the theme “Thank You to the Guardians of Happiness”. The program highlights the message that workers’ happiness is built upon 365 days of safe working practices.
Safety as Culture, Right, and Responsibility
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Trinh Thuy Trang, Deputy CEO of Coteccons, emphasized that at Coteccons, the principle “If it is not safe, stop work” is not merely a slogan but a core operating rule. Safety engineers are empowered to halt construction to protect workers, and workers themselves are encouraged to refuse tasks that pose potential risks. This mindset transforms safety from a regulation into a voluntary daily practice.
Ms. Nguyen Trinh Thuy Trang, Deputy CEO of Coteccons, delivers her remarks at the ceremony
In the opening documentary of the event, a Coteccons safety engineer shared a perspective often perceived as that of a “villain” on construction sites—someone who constantly reminds and enforces compliance. Yet, this strictness helps workers build awareness and refuse to work at unsafe, poorly protected sites. The story reflects a reality in which safety has become a defining cultural value across Coteccons’ projects.
Why Safety?
The construction industry is among those with the highest rates of occupational accidents. Therefore, Coteccons selected “safety” as the central theme of “Xây Tết 2026″ to reaffirm that economic development must go hand in hand with human protection. As a contractor involved in numerous national key projects, Coteccons establishes and maintains stringent safety standards—from regulations and enforcement mechanisms to working conditions—to safeguard tens of thousands of workers and the well-being of their families.
Workers at Coteccons construction sites participate in weekly safety briefings
Beyond procedures, Coteccons invests heavily in technology and training. AI-powered cameras monitor helmet use, safety harness compliance, and alcohol levels; regular training sessions are conducted; rest and cooling areas are provided during extreme heat; and contingency plans are in place for storms and floods. All efforts are directed toward one goal: ensuring safety throughout all 365 days of the year so that every worker can return home safely.
Mr. Le Quoc Minh (right) and Ms. Nguyen Trinh Thuy Trang (left) present gifts to representatives of Hanoi drainage workers and Coteccons construction workers
“Xây Tết” for More Than 30,000 Workers
The “Xây Tết 2026″ program will be implemented from December 2025 to February 2026 across 72 Coteccons construction sites nationwide. Beyond construction workers, the program also extends care to sanitation and urban drainage workers in three major cities: Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Nhan Dan Newspaper, Coteccons, along with ministries, departments, enterprises, and charitable organizations, will present over 30,000 Tet gift packages to workers. The program also features on-site Tet activities such as commemorative photo sessions, health check-ups, and free haircuts to welcome the Lunar New Year. These initiatives are made possible through the collective efforts of government agencies, media organizations, youth unions, and volunteer teams.
In addition, the program continues to offer the “Building Dreams Foundation” scholarships for workers’ children with outstanding academic achievements, creating greater educational opportunities and laying a strong knowledge foundation for future generations.
Expectations for Expanding “Xây Tết”
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khang, Member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, highly appreciated “Xây Tết” as a humane and meaningful initiative. He expressed his expectation that the program would continue to expand in scale, beneficiary groups, and care activities; integrate Tet initiatives with long-term policies on occupational safety, health care, legal counseling, and union welfare; and encourage broader participation from businesses and industry associations to spread this worker-care model across other sectors.
Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Member of CPV Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Publicity and Education Commission and the Commission for Mass Mobilization under the CPV Central Committee, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, speaks at the ceremony
Sharing at the ceremony, Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Commission for Communication and Mass Mobilization, and President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, stated: “With this year’s theme emphasizing a culture of safety and gratitude toward those who quietly safeguard happiness, we hope that “Xây Tết 2026″ will continue to receive strong support from media agencies and the business community. Through the program, positive values will be widely disseminated, contributing to a peaceful and warm Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse 2026 for workers, while encouraging responsibility and efforts toward building a humane and sustainable working environment”.
Ms. Nguyen Dinh Nhu Huong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Press Center, noted that in its role as a connector among municipal departments, the Press Center would actively support communications on safety culture and promote long-term care for workers throughout the year.
Mr. Le Quoc Minh presents a commemorative gift to Ms. Nguyen Trinh Thuy Trang
After three seasons of implementation, the number of construction sites participating in “Xây Tết” has steadily increased. With the joint efforts of ministries, departments, youth unions, volunteers, and sponsors, “Xây Tết” has evolved into a meaningful festival dedicated to worker care—nurturing a culture of gratitude toward the workers behind Vietnam’s landmark projects.
During the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Trinh Thuy Trang, Deputy CEO of Coteccons, participated in a brief media interview.
Question: What sustainable changes does “Xây Tết” bring to workers and to the construction industry’s culture?
Ms. Nguyen Trinh Thuy Trang:
“Xây Tết” is not merely a Tet welfare program; it is an integral part of the Social pillar in Coteccons’ ESG strategy. After three seasons, the program has become a collaborative platform involving ministries, organizations, and enterprises, spreading genuine care for workers beyond Coteccons itself.
More importantly, Xây Tết fosters a culture of gratitude—honoring the workers behind monumental constructions and reshaping societal perceptions of the construction profession. When recognition becomes a shared value, investments and compliance in safety are carried out voluntarily, creating sustainable impacts that cannot be measured by numbers alone.
Question: In the context of declining public trust, how does Coteccons ensure transparency for “Xây Tết”?
Ms. Nguyen Trinh Thuy Trang:
As a public company, Coteccons operates under third-party supervision through independent audits. We publicly disclose data, processes, and outcomes on our official channels and invite the media, partners, and workers to directly monitor program implementation. In addition, “Xây Tết” is supported by reputable partners such as Nhan Dan Newspaper, Co.opmart, Long Chau, and in cooperation with the Saigon Times Foundation to evaluate and certify standards—for example, in the scholarship programs for workers’ children. The involvement of multiple stakeholders not only enhances oversight but also strengthens community trust.
