Despite the unfavorable weather, groups of workers, engineers, and managers at Construction Corporation No. 1 – JSC (CC1) still regularly board their vehicles at 6:30 AM every day, maintaining a steady pace towards their goals.
With just over 40 days remaining until the first technical flight on December 19th, we had the opportunity to meet with the CC1 (package 5.10) management team at the Long Thanh airport project.
Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the construction site, the clashing of steel, the rumbling of machinery, and the rhythmic footsteps of workers, there are quiet but proud stories of those wearing the CC1 uniform. They are ordinary young men and women with an enduring love for construction, enduring the elements. These individuals are also fathers and husbands, often away from home, yet wholeheartedly yearning to silently contribute to the nation's development through iconic projects.
The road leading to the Executive Board's "headquarters" is nestled amidst the concrete blocks of the gradually completing passenger terminal. The constant ringing of telephones, the hurried steps of surveying, managing, holding meetings, and ensuring workplace safety from the "battlefield" made us feel even more strongly the responsibility and pride of the team in this national mega-project.
After more than two years of implementing phase 1 of the Long Thanh airport project, some individuals have dedicated over 20 years of their lives to the CC1 family, having worked on numerous major and minor projects, while others have joined the CC1 family as "new recruits." However, the common thread among these unsung heroes is a sense of national pride in contributing to the construction of a world-class project, a new symbol of Vietnam's transportation infrastructure.
Following the workers to the construction site where CC1 is responsible for the project, dressed in full protective gear, we managed to capture their simple, hurried but enthusiastic sharing, interspersed with their resolute smiles on the construction site.
Having previously worked on numerous civil engineering and public investment projects, Nguyen Trung Anh, currently a Quantity Surveyor (QS) Engineer, has been in his new position for four months. He was honored to shake hands with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during a visit by the Leadership Delegation to the construction site, and he happily recounted that it was the most prestigious moment of his career.
"This experience would be impossible without being at CC1," he said. Working daily within the Long Thanh airport complex, he understands the project's uniqueness and importance, and therefore doesn't shy away from the increased workload during the final stages.
He shared that he feels fortunate that the job has given him the opportunity to experience a professional and structured environment, where he quickly integrated and considers CC1 his second home.
In the large-scale and dynamic development of the Corporation, each workday for him is a journey of training, improving professional skills, refining interpersonal skills, and growing in each work relationship.
Thanks to CC1's strong marketing efforts and brand reputation, diverse recruitment opportunities are widely disseminated, making it easy for young engineers to access, apply for, and test their skills on national-level projects.
Having dedicated nearly 10 years of his youth to CC1 right after graduation, Phan Thanh Thien has grown through approximately 6 projects there. Currently, he is the technical supervisor of the main roof structure, Pier 2 in Long Thanh.
He shared that CC1 gave him the "stepping stone" to reach large-scale projects, access modern technology, and hone his professional skills. Leaving his hometown of Gia Lai, traveling across the country under the sun and wind of construction sites, he still cherishes that feeling. My love for the construction profession remains as pure, simple, sincere, and enduring as my first love.
Throughout the construction process, CC1 has consistently prioritized safety standards and regulations in every work shift and for every contract, large or small. Mr. Huynh Minh Tu, currently serving as an HSE Engineer on this project, always emphasizes safety principles to workers before each shift.
He believes that on any construction site, the workers are the most important people because they produce the main product. Through research and a thorough understanding of the "workplace" and the nature of the job, he provides warnings, recommendations, and safety measures for workers. He uses a combination of firmness and flexibility in analyzing risky situations to ensure that workers are aware of and adhere to the correct standards.
"Even though I'm just a small individual contributing to this iconic project, I'm proud to introduce my workplace to friends, colleagues, and family, and I look forward to the day I become a passenger at the airport," he expressed.
Access to the project site is difficult, requiring all workers to travel by car or bus to the temporary parking area. With a gentle smile amidst the sweat on a sunny day in Long Thanh, Mr. Nguyen Trung Thanh, over 50 years old, still nimbly performs his daily wage work at the Management Board.
Here, he is responsible for cleaning and logistics, ensuring the construction site is clean at the end of the day. After many years working far from home, due to the nature of construction work, he is fortunate to work in Long Thanh, near his hometown, alongside the cheerful and close-knit members of CC1.
“As an older member of the project team, yet still able to contribute to a key project, I can't hide my pride from my wife and children at home. Although I've only been with CC1 for a short time, I still feel the affection my colleagues in the team have for me in every meal, every short lunch break, or every shuttle ride. That's something even more valuable than the commensurate salary I receive here,” he said emotionally.
At CC1, stories of those with over 15 years of experience are not uncommon. Mr. Le Hoang Nguyen, Head of the Construction Department for Package 5.10 of the Long Thanh Airport project, is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and controlling construction activities on-site, such as planning, schedule, quality, and safety. He is proud to be a part of CC1.
He recalled going through many ups and downs and witnessing the collective effort in creating infrastructure, civil, and industrial projects through a series of projects such as the Hang Bang canal renovation, the King Crown Infinity luxury apartment complex with 5 basements, and the ongoing Long Thanh airport construction project…
The conversation was constantly interrupted by ringing bells as Mr. Nguyen continuously coordinated work on the site. He stated that the personnel involved in this project were all experienced engineers, carefully selected staff, and newly recruited engineers with strong professional capabilities.
Long Thanh welcomed us with heavy rain, soaking into the characteristic red mud. People jokingly said that construction workers must be very sensitive to the weather and have "supernatural eyes" to predict rain from the clouds. From the roof of the station, looking out over the vast construction site, the pace of work became more frantic towards the end.
Despite the unfavorable weather, with the rainy season lasting longer than last year, the team remained flexible, adapting, allocating tasks, diligently arranging time off, and postponing personal priorities to take turns working overtime and extra shifts. They took advantage of sunny days to work more enthusiastically, not hesitating to use weekends for the common goal of meeting deadlines, ensuring efficiency, and maintaining quality.
As frontline workers on the project site, steering it to meet the committed schedule with the investor, Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, Deputy Director of the Executive Board, cannot forget the dusty sunny days, the muddy rainy days, and the extremely difficult access to the makeshift office.
Despite the harsh conditions, the team members worked diligently at the construction site, far from the city and lacking amenities, constantly worrying about their families. For Trung, this airport project was "exceptionally special."
“This project is of national significance, and I deeply appreciate this opportunity to participate. I am confident that the project will be completed on schedule and within budget, while maintaining quality. CC1 has been around for nearly half a century; if you count its age, it's almost a lifetime. As a Vietnamese citizen, I understand even more deeply the responsibility to help future generations have a great project to be proud of,” he emphasized.
That's also the sentiment of Mr. Nguyen Thai Tai Nhan, Deputy Director of the Management Board, who has been involved with the construction site since the days when it was just an empty plot of land, and now the shape of the station, inspired by a lotus flower, is gradually taking form.
In his managerial role, Mr. Nhan inevitably faced immense pressure regarding quality and deadlines, challenges that are the "measure" of a construction professional's capabilities. However, amidst the fast-paced construction site, he always felt the strength of teamwork, of a collective that stood shoulder to shoulder, encouraged each other, and overcame difficulties together. According to him, what helps the CC1 team consistently move forward is the spirit of discipline, integrity in action, and the aspiration to lead—values that have become an internal genetic code of CC1 employees.
“At CC1, we don’t just build structures, we build trust. To conquer large projects, trust is indispensable. Each completed project is a testament to the capabilities, reputation, and responsibility of a team of people who always strive for efficiency and sustainable value,” he shared.
Having worked on numerous key projects at CC1, he is proud to be among those contributing to the nation's development. "Under this roof, I clearly feel the innovation in operations, the compensation policies, the focus on training high-level personnel, and the pioneering spirit in adopting modern technology and techniques. All of this creates the position of a major contractor and is also a dream destination for many young engineers," he shared.
As a project leader, Mr. Bui Ngoc Lam, Director of the Project Management Board for Packages 4.8 and 5.10, increasingly feels the "heat" of the project in every aspect, from the construction site to the office. Nearly 20 years of experience working on a series of industrial, civil, and transportation infrastructure projects stretching from North to South, Long Thanh Airport remains a highlight in his career journey.
This project has not only received special attention from the State but is also the expectation of the people for the emergence of a modern, world-class airport. "It's not easy for people to have the opportunity to participate in construction and witness such a massive construction site, from rough concrete and steel blocks... gradually transforming into a grand, international-scale facility. A construction worker's life doesn't often have such brilliant moments," Mr. Lam confided.
Currently, to achieve the milestone of the first test flight on December 19th, CC1 has increased its workforce and equipment compared to the initial target schedule by approximately 60,701 TP2T.. In line with the accelerated construction pace, the leader continuously held meetings with the consortium of contractors to devise solutions for simultaneous implementation of the project packages, coordinating seamlessly with each other using synchronized construction methods and solutions instead of piecemeal approaches, with the goal of focusing solely on progress and never backing down.
Amidst the vast construction site, each individual, though small and insignificant, was dwarfed by the immense landscape and enormous machinery and equipment. Yet, we can never forget the unwavering spirit of the collective. In the bustling atmosphere, mixed with pride, were moments of anxiety and worry as time was running short and coordination remained challenging.
However, at the Long Thanh construction site, the spirit of unity among the CC1 team still burns brightly. These people, undeterred by difficulties and hardships, always support and inspire each other to work towards the goal.
Behind the tough image of the men, we also witnessed the presence of female engineers, office workers, and caregivers who were indispensable "support systems" during those days of working and sleeping together on the construction site...
To be continued: Untold stories from behind the construction site: The shining steel roses (Part 2)