HCMC citizens warned of fire risk during Tet

The HCMC Fire Department has warned of fire risk during the Lunar New Year holiday (Tet).

Speaking at a meeting on HCMC’s socio-economic performance in January on Monday, the department’s director Le Tan Buu pointed out last week's blaze at a car repair facility on Cong Quynh Street in District 1 as one of the major fires that caused huge property damage.

Buu said that although the city has issued a lot of guidance documents on fire fighting and prevention, these documents have yet to reach units and residential areas in the city. Therefore, many fires have occurred in residential areas.

Short circuit is one of the main causes of fires in HCMC. Meanwhile, onsite firefighting forces are ineffective, and fire engines have not been in use for a long time.

According to a report of the HCMC government, 43 fires occurred in the city in January, killing two people.

HCMC chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong called for special attention to preventing fires.

HCMC has over 20,000 manufacturing facilities with over 5,300 of them having high risk of fire and explosion in residential areas. These facilities sell flammable items such as chemicals and even illegally trade explosives.

Customs confiscate nearly 2kg of cocaine

The Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs yesterday joined hands with concerned organisations to detect and seize a woman who was smuggling cocaine from Brazil to Viet Nam.

The 48-year-old woman, whose name was not revealed by the police, is a resident of HCM City's District 8.

The police and customs officials discovered 1.84kg cocaine, worth more than VND5 billion (US$222,200), hidden inside four stone eagle statues that were among hundreds of other eagle statues in an iron bucket.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the police to continue their investigation into the case to seize the other traffickers involved in it.

Cancer patients receive gifts for Tet

Patients at Ha Noi's Tan Trieu National Cancer Hospital received 500 gifts, each worth VND1,000,000 (US$45) from donors at a charity event yesterday.

Attendees included Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, officials from health, labour, invalids and social affairs ministries, and artists.

Praising the meaningful activity, Doan offered her best wishes to all patients, their families and doctors at the hospital on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

"The Party and Government have always created the best conditions for people's healthcare and protection, especially cancer treatment and prevention," Doan said.

The event aimed to ease the pain of cancer patients and strengthen the community's awareness about the disease and its prevention, detection and treatment measures.

The hospital currently has about 3,000 patients, among which about 400 to 500 patients in serious condition will have to stay at the hospital during Tet for treatment.

Viet Nam reports 200,000 new cancer cases yearly, 80 per cent of which are discovered in the late stages, the National Cancer Prevention Programme said.

The annual event was organised by VTV's Bright Future Fund for cancer patients and CVI Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics Company.

Ha Noi project workers to work during Tet

Ha Noi Transport Department Director Vu Van Vien yesterday inspected two key road projects on Le Trong Tan and Lang streets.

He encouraged the workers to work non-stop during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday to meet the project deadlines.

Once completed, the Le Trong Tan Street expansion project and Bridge 361 construction on Lang Street are expected to reduce traffic congestion in the city.

The widened Le Trong Tan Street, which will be 1,511m long and 27m to 30m wide, will stretch from Ton That Tung Street to Lu River.

The project broke ground last month. Contractors, investors and workers are trying to finish the project before April 30 this year.

Bridge 361, which spans To Lich River, will be finished in the next one and a half years.

Vu Van Vien said the executive units of these two projects should overcome difficulties, especially those related to weather, and also meet their deadlines and ensure quality.

The units should take good care of and give preferential treatment to workers who work through the holiday, he said.

He said the safety of workers and local residents should be ensured.

HCM City organises Banh Tet offering ceremony

The Banh Tet (sweetened cake of glutinous rice) offering ceremony for the Hung Kings has been organised by the HCM City People's Committee and Viet Nam Fatherland Front.

The event, which was held on the occasion of the Vietnamese Teat festival, took place on February 5 at the Hung Kings Memorial Monument in the National Cultural History Park, District 9, HCM City.

The Banh Tet offering ceremony features the traditional and spiritual rituals of the South Vietnamese people. The sweetened cakes offered to the Hung Kings are selected from among the best cakes made in the southern region.

The ceremony is one of the city's annual activities, held to celebrate the national Tet festival, promote the people's solidarity and encourage patriotism amongst the youth and the citizens of HCM City. 

HCM City to kill mosquitoes at airport in Zika scare

Though the water-borne Zika virus has not spread to Vietnam, the International Health Quarantine Center in HCMC is taking a number of measures including spraying mosquito killer chemicals at Tan Son Nhat airport as a precaution.

Nguyen Van Sau, director of the International Health Quarantine Center in HCMC, said though mosquitoes at Tan Son Nhat airport are still under control, the center would be spraying a chemical to kill mosquitoes this Thursday night.

Sau said the remote body temperature scanning equipment is still in operation round the clock. If passengers are suspected of Zika infection, they would be immediately sent to isolation and taken to hospital for checkup.

The center has prepared equipment, medical supplies and chemicals to control Zika if it spreads to the country.

Last Friday, the Ministry of Health convened an emergency meeting on the deployment of Zika virus prevention activities. Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the virus is likely to enter Vietnam due to the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which can transmit the virus through their bites.

The World Health Organization on Monday declared Zika an international public health emergency as it is linked to thousands of birth defects in Brazil. Zika is “spreading explosively” and could infect as many as 4 million people in the Americas, according to the WHO.

Hundreds of rooms equipped with blankets, cushions, televisions and heaters will be available for the homeless at universities in Hanoi during the Tet (Lunar New Year) 2016 holiday.

Several Hanoi universities are providing the homeless hundreds of rooms, equipped with blankets, cushions, televisions and heaters during Tet (Lunar New Year).

This is part of the Hay Go Cua (Knock on Door) campaign, which aims to provide the homeless a shelter during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Can Anh Tuan, director of the training assistance centre of National Economics University, said the university would open the dormitory for 15 days from February 2 to 15 to welcome the homeless.

"The university does not have a limit on the number of beds for the poor. At present, we have ten well-equipped rooms with 40 beds. These rooms are guest rooms for lecturers to take a break at noon or those that have not been rented by students," Tuan said on vnexpress.net.

The university will also hold an end-of-year party and present gifts to provide a warm atmosphere for the homeless during the Lunar New Year.

Those who do not have personal documents will also be allowed to stay in the university, which will work with the authorities to help them register for temporary residence.

"Ten officers and security guards will work round the clock to ensure the safety of these people as well as the school's facilities, in case some people make use of the opportunity to create trouble," Tuan said.

He said he hoped the volunteers would expand the meaningful programme for the needy, and that the homeless would get rid of any inferiority complex for moving into the dormitory.

Hanoi Foreign Trade University is also preparing 40 beds for the homeless.

"On the afternoon of February 7 (the last afternoon of the lunar year), the university will organise a party for those who come to live at our hostel. We will serve them two meals a day at our canteen during their stay at our university," Bui Ngoc Dung, head of the facility management department at Hanoi Foreign Trade University, said.

Vietnam National University in Hanoi has also opened 15 rooms at its hostel in Nam Tu Liem District from February 5 to 14, to welcome about 100 people.

Hanoi National University of Education and the Academy of Finance are also ready to welcome the poor and the homeless during the Tet holiday.

Health sector urges vigilance for bird flu outbreaks during Tet

The increasing demand for food and travelling during the lunar New Year (Tet) holiday will pose a high risk for bird flu outbreaks, the Preventive Medicine Department said on February 2.

The department assessed the risk of the disease spreading across borders is very high, as human infections with a new avian influenza A (H7N9) virus were reported from China in 2013, together with other avian viruses such as H5N1, H1N1, H5N6 and H5N8 have travelled to all continents.

Vietnam has not recorded any new human avian flu cases since 2015, however 62 outbreaks caused by H5N1 and H5N6 viruses were reported nationwide in the period.

To proactively prevent the disease, the Ministry of Health has recommended that people should wash their hands with soap, ensure good personal hygiene, and limit their contact with patients. They were also advised to not use poultry or poultry products with unknown origins, and ensure food hygiene.

People were told to immediately notify local authorities and veterinary units if they detected any sick or dead poultry.

People should visit doctors to be counselled, examined and receive treatment if they have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain or difficulty breathing.

They should also not touch material contaminated by faeces from poultry or livestock. People with symptoms of acute respiratory infections while travelling or just returning from areas with an epidemic should visit a doctor for an examination and to determine the disease.

Car rental prices in Vietnam rise by up to 50% around Tet

The cost of rental cars has surged by up to 50 percent as the Lunar New Year nears, local travel agencies have said.

The price of renting four-wheel transport vehicles during the Tet holiday has risen by between 30 and 50 percent for journeys from February 8 to February 22, which falls between the first and 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar.

A common rental car for general travel, including Innova, Vios, Laceti, Matiz, and the like currently cost between VND800,000 (US$35.88) and VND1 million (US$44.86) per day, which is about 30% higher than usual.

On ordinary days, these cars cost about VND650,000 (US$29.15) per day, according to a manager of a car hire company in Cau Giay District, Hanoi.

For more luxurious models, prices will increase to VND2 million (US$89.72) instead of VND1 million (US$44.86) for one day’s rental, which is a 50 percent rise, the manager said.

Most visitors rent transport means to travel to Vung Tau, a coastal city in the southeastern region, Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province, located in the south-central province, and Da Lat, a resort city in the Central Highlands, said Hoang Ngoc Quang, director of a travel transport cooperative in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.

According to rental car agencies in Vietnam, rental prices on days before Tet, which is what Vietnamese people call the Lunar New Year festival, are much cheaper than those of the days near or right on the occasion.

Tet, falling on February 8, is one of Vietnam’s traditional celebrations whose meaning honors family reunion and recreation.

During the time surrounding the date, some families love to travel while others decide to visit pagodas or return to their hometowns, expressing the best wishes for one another and showing gratitude to ancestors.

Coach companies double fare despite regulation

Multiple transport firms in a province in central Vietnam have doubled their ticket prices for Tet, ignoring a regulation established by local authorities, officials said on Monday.

In Lam Dong Province, many coach companies’ ticket prices for travel around Tet, from January 29 (the 20th day of the last month in the lunar calendar) to February 4 (the 26th day of the last month in the lunar calendar) have increased to between VND1.2 million (US$53.83) and VND1.5 million ($67.29) per person, dwarfing the regular ticket price of between VND600,000 ($26.91) and VND700,000 ($31.40).

According to regulations, ticket prices for routes from Lam Dong to Binh Dinh – a province in south-central Vietnam – must not increase by more than 60 percent, Nguyen Van Gia, vice director of the Lam Dong Department of Transport, said.

Ticket prices for travel within Lam Dong’s districts must not rise by over 40 percent either, Gia added.

Tet, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, falling on February 8 this year, is one of Vietnam’s traditional celebrations based on family reunion and recreation.

A huge number of people flock back to their hometown from big cities after one year studying or working away from home.

During this time, some families travel while others decide to visit pagodas, expressing their best wishes for one another while also showing gratitude to their ancestors.

Coastal erosion at a serious level in Ca Mau

Coastal erosion in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Ca Mau could cause the collapse of 40 kilometres of dyke, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The province has built embankments in these areas but does not have enough funds to build more.

On Sunday, tides and strong waves eroded several dyke sections in Tran Van Thoi District.

Rural areas in Hai Phong to receive $43m

Hai Phong this year will allocate an additional VND966 billion ($42.9 million) to assist 20-25 more communes to reach all 19 criteria including transportation, irrigation, electricity, schools and others in the national new rural area programme.

Last year, 48 communes in the city achieved the criteria.

Hau Giang to get solar power plant

The People's Committee of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Hau Giang approved a project to build a solar power plant with capacity of 36MW in Phung Hiep District. With total capital of more than VND1.5 trillion ($66 million), the project will be invested in by PetroVietNam SongHong Investment and Trading Corporation.

It is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2017.

Cu Chi water supply system upgraded

Sai Gon Water Infrastructure Corporation will continue to install water supply pipes to more than 24,000 households in the outlying district of Cu Chi to increase the capacity to 130,000 cubic metres per day by 2019. The total capital for the supply system will be VND3.6 trillion (US$167 million).

Truong Khac Hoanh, the corporation's general director, said that the system would ensure enough water for residents as well as industrial parks and hi-tech agricultural parks in the district. The company will also install water supply systems leading to industrial parks in Tay Ninh Province's Trang Bang District.

Online registration for vaccine begins

The Ha Noi Preventive Health Centre will receive online registration for the Pentaxim vaccine against dipththeria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type B on February 3. This is the second vaccination period. It will last until March 3, with 6,104 shots.

Parents with children born between March 1, 2014 and December 2, 2015 can access the website of ytdphanoi.gov.vn for registration. The first vaccination period was carried out in late December.

North set for new cold spell

A new cold snap is expected to hit the north from early February.

Between February 2 and 7, temperatures in the northern mountains will be 4 – 7 degrees Celsius, and there will be more snow. In the plains, temperatures will be below 15 degrees.

While the recent cold spell devastated crops and killed livestock, the total damage has yet to be estimated.

Government to gift rice to poor

The Primer Minister has instructed the Ministry of Finance to release over 7,000 tonnes of rice from the national reserve for seven central and Central Highlands provinces — Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Dac Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum – to provide free of cost to poor people for Tet (the Lunar New Year).

The central provinces of Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Thanh Hoa, and Quang Nam will respectively get 2,100 tonnes, 291 tonnes, 934 tonnes, and 1829 tonnes.

The Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum will get 1,000 tonnes, 523 tonnes, and 377 tonnes.

HCM City to plant 16,000ha of safe vegetables

The HCM City People's Committee has approved a plan to develop cultivation area of safe vegetables by 2020. Under the plan, the area will reach 16,319 hectares with annual production value of VND800 million (USVND806,949,000) per hectare.

The city also aims for VietGap certification for at least 90 per cent of vegetable gardens.

In 2015, 115,900 Vietnamese work abroad

More than 115,900 people were sent to work abroad in 2015, completing 122 per cent of the year's plan, an increase of 8.5 per cent compared to 2014, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs' Overseas Labour Management Department. Taiwan and Japan remained Viet Nam's largest labour export markets.

Gov't provides rice to six provinces

The government has decided to provide more than 5,000 tonnes of rice in relief aid to six northern and central-coastal provinces to support people during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Binh Dinh will receive the highest amount with 1,300 tonnes, while Yen Bai will get 450 tonnes. The provinces of Cao Bang, Quang Ngai, Ho Nam and Quang Binh will receive from 551 tonnes to 1,200 tonnes.

In early January, the Government offered 1,000 tonnes of rice to Lao Cai and Quang Tri provinces.

Ha Noi sells fixed-price goods at four sites

The Ha Noi Department of Trade has opened four venues selling essential goods for Tet (Lunar New Year) at the Bac Thang Long Industrial Park, stadiums of Binh Minh and Dai Nghia Communes, and urban area 31.

There are 70-100 stalls at each venue offering price stabilised goods produced and distributed by more than 80 local businesses. The programme will end on January 31.

Animals Asia to help with elephant rescues

Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), a government-registered charity based in Hong Kong, will co-operate with the Dak Lak Province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to carry out various programmes for rescue and conservation of elephants.

David Neale, AAF's animals welfare director, said the department would sign a co-operation agreement with AAF as well as organise an international workshop on elephant conservation and participate in rescue of captive elephants.

The Central Highlands province is home to 80-100 wild elephants and 43 elephants held in captivity, according to the Dak Lak Elephant Conservation Centre.

The Ministry of Health's Medical Examination and Treatment Management Department on Thursday announced that it would launch an online service for issuing medical examination and treatment licences, which will begin on February 2.

According to the department, it issues and reissues on average nearly 10,000 medical examination and treatment licences each year.

Don't steal flowers, please

Hoan Kiem Lake is decorated with many flowers to welcome Tet (Lunar New Year).

To ensure the beauty of the scene around the lake, employees of Ha Noi Green Tree and Park Ltd. Co, which is responsible for decoration, have to sleep outdoor in cold weather every night to keep flowers out of the hands of thefts.

Some of them said that at least five or ten flower pots were stolen each night. More pots are stolen if the weather is very cold, they reported.

Flower robbers often disguise themselves as visitors or fishermen to steal flowers when the workers do not pay attention, a worker said.

She said that they will be fined if the flowers are stolen.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Noi Bai International Airport on February 1 to examine its operations before the Lunar New Year holiday.

Praising the airport’s efforts to satisfy the rising travel demand, Phuc urged the aviation sector to ensure service quality and safety, and minimise flight cancellations and delays during peak season.

The deputy PM also urged airport customs officers to keep a close watch on people and goods coming in and out so they can handle any emergencies. The aviation sector was asked to enhance connections between airports to reduce pressure on major ones.

According to Noi Bai International Airport, flight frequency will rise by 20 percent this Tet, compared with the last season.

The Hanoi Police Department inaugurated an online staying notification and declaration system at www.lutru.cahn.vn on February 1.

The system was developed by the Ministry of Police, the municipal Police Department and related units, aiming to increase the effectiveness of administrative procedures in staying notifications and declarations, particularly among foreigners and accommodation businesses.

Colonel Dao Thanh Hai, Deputy Head of the Hanoi Police Department, said the department prepared technical facilities, and organised training classes for local policemen.

Earlier the system was piloted at some wards including Trung Hoa (Cau Giay district) and Hang Trong (Hoan Kiem district), he said adding that there were 230 units in the two wards participating in the system.

After a one-month trial, administrative reform has progressed significantly and the system has received active responses from the public.

Hai said the department will continue to study the system’s shortcomings in order to create the most favourable conditions for businesses and the police’s professional tasks.

Cambodian guests make Tet visit to Dak Lak

A Cambodian delegation led by Bou Thang, permanent member of the Cambodian People’s Party Central Committee, paid a visit to the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on February 1.

Bou Thang, who is also Chairman of the Interior and Defence Committee of the Senate, extended congratulations to the Vietnamese locality’s authorities on the 86th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the success of the recent 12th National Party Congress.

He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their past and present support for his country, expressing his hope that relations between the two nations in general and between the Central Highlands region and Cambodia’s northeast provinces in particular, will be expanded in the years ahead.

Both nations should continue to protect and maintain stability along their shared-border, he suggested.

The Cambodian guests gave best wishes to the provincial People’s Committee and the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands region on the threshold of the Lunar New Year (Tet).

Deputy Head of the Steering Committee Tran Viet Hung and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Ngoc Nghi said they wish for an enhanced relationship between the two nations in the future.

Son La to resume power supply for local households this week

The Son La Power Company in the northern mountainous province of Son La is making its utmost effort to repair damaged electricity lines and poles caused by the recent freeze.

The company is striving to resume power supply for more than 3,500 households in 12 mountainous communes before the 28th day of the last lunar month or February 6.

The severe cold and icy conditions, which lasted from January 22-28, saw many line sections linking to Thuan Chau, Bac Yen, Phu Yen and Moc Chau broken, and numerous poles collapsed.

At present, households in Phu Yen and Moc Chau districts have had their electricity supply restored.

However, rough hill terrain is hindering the company from repairing and restoring electricity for houses in 12 communes of Thuan Chau and Bac Yen district.

HCM City flowers markets bustling ahead of Tet

As many as 131 flower markets opened in Ho Chi Minh City on February 1 in a bid to meet big demand from locals ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival – Vietnam ’s most important holiday.

Three are municipal-level markets arranged in the parks 23/09, Le Van Tam and Gia Dinh. The remainder are scattered throughout the 21 districts.

Previously, a number of other markets started up along Tran Xuan Soan dyke, in Binh Dong wharf and at Binh Dien market.

The markets offer more varieties of flowers such as apricot blossoms, marigolds, sunflowers, kumquats and others. These are transported from different areas.

The municipal People’s Committee said the flower markets in the city will run until February 7.

Long An, Cambodian border localities enhance ties

A delegation of representatives from Cambodia’s Svay Rieng and Prey Veng provinces paid a visit to the Mekong Delta province of Long An on February 1 on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet).

Welcoming the Cambodian guests, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Do Huu Lam highlighted the traditional relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia, which was set up and nurtured by many generations of leaders of both countries.

He expressed his desire that friendship and cooperation between Long An and Cambodian border provinces, including Svay Rieng and Prey Veng, will be closer in the future.

On behalf of the Cambodian delegation, Governor of Svay Rieng Chiang Om and Chairman of the Prey Veng provincial Council S’bong Sa Rat spoke highly of achievements made by Long An in 2015, adding that they hoped the affiliation between the two countries’ border localities will be strengthened in the coming time.

On the occasion, they extended New Year greetings to Long An’s Party Committee, authorities and people.

Ben Tre poor given support to build houses

Poor people and social policy beneficiaries in the southern province of Ben Tre will get financial support to build houses as gifts from the Da Nang-based Bac Nam 79 Construction Join Stock Company.

The company’s leaders granted 5 billion VND (225,000 USD) in cash to the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front committee for this purpose at a ceremony held in the locality on February 1.

Attending the event, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hailed the company for assisting social welfare work in the province.

She also praised businesses for joining efforts with the Party, Government, and National Assembly in taking care of underprivileged people.

She asked the provincial VFF committee to prioritise constructing houses for social welfare beneficiaries and impoverished families.

President of the committee Tran Duong Tuan pledged to build houses for the poor as soon as possible after the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet).

Ben Tre now has more than 4,100 households in need of accommodation support.

Ho Chi Minh City braces for Zika virus

Although no cases of Zika virus have been recorded in Vietnam, the Centre for International Health Quarantine of Ho Chi Minh City is carrying out various measures to prevent the virus from entering the country and to contain it in case the disease does occur.

Specifically, the centre has set up two body temperature scanners at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which are operating around the clock to check passengers from international flights, the centre’s director Nguyen Van Sau said on February 1.

It also purchased medical equipment and chemicals to respond to the disease if it enters Vietnam. This week, the centre will spray the airport with chemical repellent to kill mosquitoes.

According to the Health Ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded the most number of Zika virus cases in the Americas and Africa.

Zika virus, first detected in Uganda’s Zika forest in 1947, is transmitted to humans through the Aedes mosquito which is also the main carrier of dengue fever.

It causes mild fever, rash, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes and conjunctivitis. There is currently no cure for Zika virus, and no vaccine for it.

The ministry has warned people travelling from Zika virus-struck countries that they should keep an eye on their health in the first 14 days after arrival to Vietnam. They should go to the nearest medical facility should they begin to experience fever.

It is also recommended that people should use mosquito chemical repellent and securely cover all containers of water - to prevent mosquitoes from entering them and laying eggs.-

President sends Tet greetings to Truong Sa soldiers, residents

President Truong Tan Sang has sent greetings and 100 million VND worth of gifts to soldiers of the Navy Zone 4 High Command and residents in Truong Sa island district to wish them a happy Lunar New Year.

The soldiers and the locals said they have seen the gifts as special treatment given by the president.

They vowed to overcome all difficulties and be vigilant in order to safeguard the country’s sea and island sovereignty and maintain the environment of peace and stability.

The Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labour hosted a feast day, the 10 th of its kind, in the city on February 5, attracting 600 local workers who could not afford a journey to their homes.

The municipal leaders granted gifts to participating workers, each worth 500,000 VND (22.7 USD).

The Suoi Tien cultural amusement park company also offered 600 free entrance tickets to participants.

Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang, who was present at the event, said the city’s 2015 socio-economic achievements were partly attributed to workers and cadres.

He hoped that they will continue standing side-by-side with their employers to overcome difficulties, and hone their work skills to meet the demands of integration.

President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Dang Ngoc Tung expressed thanks to the municipal authorities, businesses and philanthropists for their support for workers over the past year.-

Tet gifts offered to impoverished people nationwide

The Sponsoring Association for Poor Patients in the south-western region allocated 19 billion VND (864,000 USD) to help impoverished locals to have a warm traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

The information was heard at a year-end press briefing of the Steering Committee for the South Western Region in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on February 5.

According to the president of the association Nguyen Phong Quang, who is also Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for the South Western Region, the fund is used to build houses, provide medical treatment and gifts to the needy ahead of the Tet festival.

On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Quang Ngai central province and the PVI Limited Company offered 1,000 gift packages worth a total of 600 million VND (27, 000 USD) to local disadvantaged, children and social welfare beneficiaries in communes of Nghia Dong, Nghia Dung , Tinh Khe and Tinh An.

The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap allocated 13 billion VND (590,000USD) to offer gifts to people who made contributions to the country and needy households in the locality.

Alongside this, the Vietnam Agent Orange/dioxin Victims Association presented Tet gifts and provided a loan worth 100 million VND (4,500 USD) to local victims in order to help them generate an income.

On the same occasion, the northern province of Vinh Phuc mobilised nearly 21.3 billion VND (968,000 USD) to offer gifts to social welfare beneficiaries, armed force units, families of soldiers stationed in border areas and islands, religious dignitaries and ethnic elderly people.

Deputy PM visits soldiers ahead of Lunar New Year

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the High Command of Military Zone 5 in the central city of Da Nang on February 5 on the occasion of traditional Lunar New Year (Tet).

He hailed the zone for ensuring a warm and happy Tet holiday for officials, soldiers, and local underprivileged people.

He congratulated Da Nang's Party Organisation and people for their achievements in 2015, saying the city has made the right moves in socio-economic development, especially promoting its role as a driving force in the central region.

The same day, newly-appointed Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai presented gift packages to social welfare beneficiaries and national revolutionary contributors in the capital.

He said he hopes the veteran revolutionaries will continue to make significant contributions to build Hanoi as a green, beautiful and civilised city.

VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri