Ms. Thu is in charge of aircraft maintenance expenses under the management of the Technical Department while her husband is working in VAECO. Despite working in the same department and company, their duties weren’t directly related. So it was thanks to their shared relationship with certain coworkers that they got the chance to know one another.

Ms. Tu Tuyet Thu from the Technical Department and her husband – Mr. Lai Huy Quang (Deputy Foreman of the Ground Equipment Workshop, VAECO HAN) (Cre: Photo provided by staff).

But it wasn’t until she was appointed as a representative of VNA to supervise the regular maintenance of aircraft in VAECO for a long period that they got the opportunity to meet, get to know each other, and, eventually, become husband and wife. So far, they’ve had three kids together. The path they’ve walked arm-in-arm isn’t long compared to an entire lifetime, but it certainly isn’t short either. They always believe, love, and dedicate their best to each other.

“To be together, we both had to sacrifice a bit of our individual egos and not try to change each other to suit ourselves” – shared Ms. Thu.

She understands his work, so there’s no argument or doubt when he’s busy or working shift after shift during a holiday or the Lunar New Year (Cre: Photo provided by staff).

Because they work in the same industry, they understand each other’s difficulties in balancing work with family life. She understands his work, so there’s no argument or doubt when he’s busy or working shift after shift during a holiday or the Lunar New Year. He does his part by taking care of the housework and the kids when she has to be “stationed” at the office to develop plans and prepare final accounts.

Despite their hectic work schedules, they try their best to spend time with each other. Every day, they try to have dinner together. What makes this interesting is that they follow the “no phone” rule. Sometimes, when either of them accidentally breaks the rule by answering a call or message from work, they will be reprimanded by the other. This is how they stay unified and maintain mutual respect so that they can fully enjoy their time together and talk with their children uninterrupted.

He does his part by taking care of the housework and the kids when she has to be “stationed” at the office to develop plans and prepare final accounts (Cre: Photo provided by staff).

During the weekends, they will spend time shopping and preparing food for the whole week, then take their children to participate in sports or other recreational activities. Ms. Thu always tries to make weekend dinners more special than those of weekdays. She tries out new dishes and has her kids join her in cooking. This provides her added opportunity to better understand their children.

Thanks to the airline’s ID tickets (discounted tickets for staff), the cost of long-distance travel is more reasonable. Thus, they take any chance they can to arrange family holidays to destinations serviced by VNA. Such trips help their children understand more about the jobs of their parents, and bring the family closer. Inspired by Thu and Quang, their eldest son is dreaming of becoming an aircraft repair engineer. After all, this wonderful undertaking is the pride of their family.

Thanks to the airline’s ID ticket, the cost of long-distance travel is more reasonable. Thus, they take any chance they can to arrange family holidays to destinations serviced by VNA (Cre: Photo provided by staff).

Keeping the principle of a “wobbly table” in mind, they believe that tomorrow will be brighter (Cre: Photo provided by staff).

At the moment, the nCoV outbreak is happening in China and is spreading to other countries. Arrival and departure flights invoke many concerns about the safety of their loved ones and coworkers. Due to his job’s nature, Quang is usually in close contact with the airplanes, which makes Thu uneasy. However, they encourage each other by citing how VNA had successfully overcome the SARS pandemic in 2003 and that the current epidemic will soon pass. As long as they have access to accurate and objective information and strictly follow all regulations, guidelines, and recommendations, they can overcome this difficulty along with everyone else.

There will always be ups and downs waiting for them, either in their life or their work. However, keeping the principle of a “wobbly table” in mind, they believe that tomorrow will be brighter.

Nguyen Mai Huong-COMM