In the office space filled with paperwork, with desks neatly arranged in rows, glimpses of women with steely spirits can be seen among the engineers and managers. Holding positions ranging from accountants and project secretaries to QS engineers, HSE engineers, janitors, and even cooks, the women of the CC1 family are indispensable pieces in ensuring the project meets the December 19th deadline.
Currently, to meet the deadline for the first technical flight on December 19th, CC1 has increased its workforce and equipment, approximately 60-70% more than initially planned. Simultaneously with the accelerated construction pace, the management team is continuously working with the consortium of contractors to agree on solutions, implement them simultaneously, and coordinate smoothly and effectively. All efforts are focused on the common goal: only work, no turning back.
As December arrived, although the pace of construction intensified, Ms. Dang Thi My Nhung, Accounting Specialist of the Project Management Board, said that the entire team had been mentally preparing for the upcoming work 2-3 months in advance. Everyone was encouraged to arrange their personal affairs and focus absolutely on the peak period to ensure the safe "take-off" of Long Thanh Airport, marking the milestone of its first technical flight.
Having been involved with the project from its early days for over two years, Ms. My Nhung recounted to us with passionate eyes the familiar routine of going to the construction site, a habit she had become indispensable to this young woman. At 6:30 a.m., the first bus carrying employees would depart. Although the distance was short, it felt far because the road to the construction site was not yet completed, making travel somewhat difficult. It took about an hour to reach the office.
She recalled the days when the entire team poured resources into meeting deadlines for each item, the incessant ringing of the phone, the hurried lunches, and the short naps amidst the scorching sun and strong winds of Long Thanh at the massive construction site.
It was at this time that the camaraderie among the members of the Executive Board was strengthened through each night of overtime work on the battlefield or late-night meals at their shared home. Clearly, the belief that they would not shy away from any task, big or small, for the sake of the ultimate goal, had become deeply ingrained in the CC1 team.
Since 2023, she has witnessed the project from its early stages, from pouring the floor slab, to the construction of floor 1 and floor 2, to the roofing of the terminal, and soon the first test flight. Getting to this point hasn't been easy.
"When necessary, I also proactively work overtime and extra shifts, and I'm flexible with my work schedule, making sure that tasks are completed without waiting for the designated time. I treat my colleagues in the Executive Board like family, without feeling pressured or burdened by the idea that it's something I have to do," she confided.
"It's been the same destination for the past two years, but the appearance of this century changes every day. Seen from above, Long Thanh airport looks like a fiery heart slowly moving forward, clad in the distinctive red color of the land here," she said emotionally.
A very special emotion also permeates the story of Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Tuyen, a Document Control and Translation Specialist, as Long Thanh is where a fated relationship began.
Standing before us was a strong and capable young woman who had worked on numerous construction projects in the South. Despite trying her hand at various environments, Tuyen chose to remain committed to the construction industry. She shared that she had to work very hard to reassure her family about her working far from home and pursuing a professional career at the Corporation.
For Tuyen, participating in a key national project like Long Thanh Airport is a great source of pride in her career. "This is an opportunity I don't want to miss and a major turning point in my life," she said. Because only reputable and professional contractors are chosen to undertake this important responsibility.
Long Thanh is not only a place where you dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to your work, but also a place where your heart is filled with love. Tuyen revealed that she has found her soulmate, who is also a member of the Long Thanh Airport Project Management Board.
"It's been a fulfilling period for both my career and personal life. On the construction site, exposed to the sun, rain, and harsh conditions, I've always felt the love and support from my colleagues, and now from my partner," Tuyen said emotionally.
The strong-willed women at CC1 not only possess an iron will to excel in every task assigned to them on the construction site, but they are also emotionally rich individuals, radiating youthful energy amidst the dust and wind of the construction environment.
As the first female staff member to arrive at the construction site for package 4.8, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, a Quantity Surveyor, cannot forget the early days of starting her life as a construction worker at Long Thanh Airport. Nhung recounted the initial difficulties with food, drink, and transportation when transitioning to a new environment. The scorching sun and dusty winds left marks on her skin, a testament to the dedication of those who gave their all for this massive project.
With the unique construction work at package 4.8, the "makeshift" work site was located outside the train station area, requiring a 2-3 hour commute. She recounted that the commute was difficult, but the homesickness was ten times harder. All the emotions of this young woman in the prime of her youth played out like a slow-motion film of her days at the construction site.
“I miss my hometown of Khanh Hoa, the meals my mother cooked, and luckily, the warmth of the CC1 family soothes me. The team members often kindly support my work, create opportunities for interaction and conversation… to strengthen bonds and soften the inherent dryness of the industry,” she expressed.
Furthermore, the skills of these female engineers have been honed and refined even more as they work on key national projects like the Long Thanh airport. The continuous demands from the Corporation for quality upgrades and professional knowledge require these "steel roses" to constantly reinvent themselves to remain among the high-quality workforce.
Long Thanh Airport is also a crucial first project for Ms. Tran Le Thuy Vi, currently the HSE Secretary for package 5.10 at the project. Although she is a new member of the CC1 family, her eagerness to learn and meticulous attention to detail in her assigned tasks have given her invaluable professional experience that is not easily obtained.
At a key international-scale project like Long Thanh Airport, the construction site frequently welcomes delegations from the central government to the local level. Although not directly involved in shaping the concrete and steel structures, the procedures, paperwork, and document archiving are equally important, ensuring a smooth workflow and uninterrupted reception.
"Furthermore, for tasks related to HSE, which means being the 'safety guardian' of the entire construction site, my team and I always prioritize human safety above all else. Every day we enter the construction site, we must not neglect safety principles and regulations," she emphasized.
At the makeshift offices within the airport, warm meals are personally prepared daily by cleaning staff and cooks, ensuring the health and demonstrating CC1's care for the lives, meals, and sleep of the frontline workers.
"Of course, there's a diverse menu that changes daily. My favorite is the vermicelli soup cooked by Ms. Tien and Ms. Linh. They remember everyone's food preferences and are willing to work overtime to help the management team with hygiene, food preparation, and cleaning," Ms. My Nhung happily said.
We had a short lunch break at the office, which was also an opportunity to enjoy the skills of Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Tien, the "caretaker" at the 5.10 package management team. Sharing about how she came to know CC1, she revealed that she is a local resident.
As soon as the project in Long Thanh started construction and posted job openings, she boldly applied for a cleaning staff position. Although she had never worked for large companies before, the support from her predecessors helped her quickly adapt and integrate into the local culture.
With her culinary skills, she dedicates her heart and soul to each lunch portion, meticulously preparing it as if she were cooking for her own family. The meals include a main course, stir-fry, soup, dessert… and she confidently believes she knows everyone's preferences by heart.
"I hear about Long Thanh Airport on the news day and night, and I'm proud that my hometown is about to have a new look. Knowing how stressful the work is for the staff, the issue of food cannot be taken lightly; instead, it should be carefully invested in, ensuring hygiene and good taste," she expressed.
As dusk fell, the setting sun cast a long, radiant glow over the massive construction site in the distance. Before leaving, we carried with us stories and images that reflected not only the scale and grandeur of the project but also its frantic pace of progress.
At the massive construction site, we also encountered very ordinary moments. These were simple yet profound emotions, things only those working in construction can truly understand: perseverance in the face of sun and wind, pride in each completed item, and the quiet but intense dedication of the team working day and night to create a national landmark project.
Long Thanh Airport is about to welcome its first test flight. This flight is not only a testament to the project's execution capabilities, discipline, and responsibility towards its timeline, but also carries the aspirations of CC1 employees in particular and Vietnamese citizens in general, instilling confidence in the sustainable "take-off" journey ahead.
It can be affirmed that CC1 is in an era where it is ready to take on complex key projects, confidently building infrastructure for future generations to follow and reach new heights.