Hanoi bans trucks' entry during rush hour


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Ha Noi police department has just announced a traffic plan for the Tet (Lunar New Year) 2016 holiday, banning trucks from entering the city during rush hour.

Accordingly, trucks (except those transporting goods for price stability and regulated by the city People's Committee) are banned from entering the city from this Monday to Saturday (February 6) from 6am to 9am, 11am to 2pm and 4pm to 7.30pm.

During this time, the trucks will take the following routes:

Trucks travelling from the eastern and north-eastern provinces to southern provinces can use the Thanh Tri Bridge - Ring Road 3 route.

Those travelling from southern provinces to eastern and north-eastern provinces can travel in the opposite direction on the same route or take the front road of Ring Road 3 - Tam Trinh- Minh Khai–Vinh Tuy Bridge route.

Vehicles travelling from the southern to northern provinces can take the overhead Ring Road 3–Pham Van Dong–Thang Long Bridge route.

Trucks travelling from northern to southern provinces without crossing Thang Long Bridge can take the National Highway 5–Nguyen Van Linh–Thanh Tri Bridge–Ring Road 3–National Highway 1B route.

Those travelling from southern provinces to western and north-western provinces can take the TL70 – National Highway 6, National Highway 32 and Thang Long Avenue.

Those travelling from western and north-western provinces to southern provinces can travel in the opposite direction on the above-mentioned route. Trucks using Thang Long Avenue can turn into the Khuat Duy Tien- overhead Ring Route 3 - National Highway 1 route.

Additionally, the National Traffic Safety Committee has set up hotlines for receiving and dealing with traffic information during the Lunar New Year.

People can report transport activities at stations, airports and ports, besides giving information about fares and transport business violations by calling 0962665953, 0977497891, 0964045445 and 0916908085, as well as 0913432383 and 0917908085.

People can also call 0985465896, 0993211111, 0989088719, 0936173906 and 0995918666 for reporting road accidents and safety issues.

The police at the Road and Rail Traffic Police Administration will directly receive all information reported at 06942608.

Flower streets open in many places

President Truong Tan Sang joined the opening ceremony of a flower street in Ho Chi Minh City’s district 1 on February 5.

He joined local leaders to lay a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh’s monument.

This is the 13th consecutive year Nguyen Hue street was decorated with flowers during Tet.

Politburo Member and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Politburo Member and head of the Central Party's Commission for Information and Education Vo Van Thuong, and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Dinh La Thang were among others at the ceremony.

This year’s floral show depicts Ho Chi Minh City’s theme of innovation, integration and development with the ASEAN unity.

During the opening ceremony, Nguyen Thi Thu, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People's Committee, said the flower street represents the beauty of the city and its people, adding that the festival takes pride of place for the citizen.

This year on flower street, there are more than 100,000 baskets of masterfully decorated flower arrangements, stretching 720 metres on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Square.

Flower street opened in Can Tho City with 65,000 floral pots and special fruits of the Mekong Delta.

Dong Nai province launched its floral path illustrating the local industrialization and modernization achievement.

OVs in Russia celebrate Lunar New Year

On February 5, the Vietnam Embassy hosted a banquet at the Hanoi-Moscow Complex in the Russian capital city to welcome the Lunar New Year festival (Tet).

Those in attendance included representatives from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Security Service, the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, and the Russia – Vietnam Friendship Association.

Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Son said he was delighted at the Russian guests’ presence which signified the strong friendship between the two nations.

He expressed his hope that bilateral relations will continue to grow and flourish this year.

Earlier the same day, the Lao Ambassador to Russia visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Moscow and extended Tet greetings.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese people in Saint Petersburg also held a year end party attended by Russian officials and friends.

More than 100,000 Vietnamese nationals are working and living in Russia, including some 6,000 students, and the numbers are on the rise.

OVs returning home for Tet celebration

On February 6, Tay Ninh province organized a get-together for 50 overseas Vietnamese people who return to Vietnam to celebrate the new lunar year.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Nguyen Thanh Ngoc informed them of the local socio-economic and defense situation.

He wished overseas Vietnamese people a happy and prosperous new year and they will contribute to national development.

The same day, leaders of Ben Tre province also met with overseas Vietnamese.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Nguyen Huu Phuoc urged them to contribute resources and initiatives for provincial development and support people with disability.

Hanoi offers free travel service for workers during Tet

Hanoi’s Labor Union has organized 100 trips taking 4,000 workers in local industrial zones to come home for Tet.

Trinh Phuong Mai from Ha Tinh province and work in Yamaha company, one of the beneficiaries said “I am eager to return home for family reunion during Tet. It’s more difficult to catch buses during Tet and I am thankful to my company’s trade union for assisting my trip home for Tet celebration.”

Head of Hanoi Labor Union, Nguyen Thi Tuyen says this is the 8th consecutive years the union organized free bus travel for workers to come home for Tet.

“Local trade union staff has supported workers’ registration of destination early. We have run bus services one week before Tet and tried our best to serve workers’ travel need," she said.

Fishing ship, five seamen rescued

A fishing ship with five crewmen, which had an accident, safely reached Mui Tan Military Port in Quy Nhon City in the central Binh Dinh Province at 2.30pm yesterday.

The ship's crew had lost control of the vessel after it developed technical problems while they were fishing near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands. They then signalled for emergency help.

The ship is owned and led by Huynh Ta, 62, a resident of the central Khanh Hoa Province.

On receiving the message for help, a ship of the Da Nang Naval Region 3 Headquarters reached the area and rescued the troubled ship.  

DPM highlights role of press in diplomacy

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh asserted the role of the press in diplomacy at a meeting with press agencies on the occasion of the Lunar New Year on February 3 in Ha Noi.

He confirmed that the press did its utmost and work together with the Party and State’s diplomatic agencies for productive diplomatic works.

The Deputy PM noted that  the press generated truthful, accurate and updated coverage  of diplomatic activities in 2015.

Deputy PM Minh expected that the press agencies will continue to cooperate with diplomatic agencies in launching the Party and State’s diplomatic policies.

Viet Nam has established Strategic Partnership relations with 15 nations including Russia (2001), India (2007), China (2008), Japan, the Republic of Korea and Spain (2009), the UK (2010), Germany and Italia (2011), Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and France (2013), Malaysia and the Philippines (2015).

The nation has also set up strategic partnership in term of sectors with the Netherlands (2010) and Denmark (2011) as well as comprehensive partnership with South Africa (2004), Chile, Brazil and Venezuela (2007), Australia and New Zealand (2009), Argentina (2010), Ukraine (2011), the U.S. and Denmark (2013).

Top legislator calls for continued improvement of National Assembly

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung expressed hope that in the coming year, the National Assembly (NA) would work more positively and effectively to hold the trust and expectations of voters and people nationwide.

The top legislator made the remark at a meeting in Hanoi on February 5 with NA's Ethnic Council, NA Committees, the NA Standing Committee and staff members of the NA Office on the occasion of the lunar New Year festival (Tet).

Reviewing the NA’s operations in the previous year, the NA Chairman noted that the legislative body has seen positive outcomes in exercising its constitutional and legislative powers and deciding on important issues for the country.

The NA has improved its operational efficiency to win the trust of the people and voters, serving as the highest representative body of the people and the highest state power body.

He stressed that the achievements have been made thanks to significant contributions of NA deputies, NA agencies and the entire staff of the NA Office.

He expressed his delight that many NA deputies were entrusted by the Party and State to be elected as Politburo members and Party Central Committee members in the recent 12th National Party Congress.

He also took the occasion to convey his best wishes for health, happiness and success to the guests on the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Fire destroys three fishing boats in Quang Ngai

Three fishing trawlers burst into flames while docking at Sa Huynh fishing port in the central province's Duc Pho district around 2am yesterday.

The local administration of the port, said that the fire occurred very early in the morning, and fire-trucks took 30 minutes to arrive at the port to put out the fire.

The owners of three trawlers are from Pho Thanh commune.

The investigation agency said the fire blazed from a fishing boat before spreading to the two other boats. The fire damaged all net and fishing tools with an estimated loss of VND5 billion (over US$220,000).

Last month, a fire also destroyed two fishing vessels that docked at Tinh Hoa fishing port in Quang Ngai city.

India’s Republic Day marked in HCM City

A ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City on February 3 to celebrate the 67th Republic Day of India, which marked the birth of the country’s constitution (January 26).

Indian Consul General in HCM City Smita Pant briefed participants on her country’s socio-economic development and highlighted increasing relations between India and Vietnam in recent years.

India considers Vietnam a strategic partner, a friend and a key pillar in its “Act East” policy, she noted.

The two countries should boost trade, investment and economic cooperation in the coming time, the diplomat said, adding that India hopes to lift two-way trade to 15 billion USD ahead of 2020.

She revealed that Indian firms plan to invest in a number of projects in the Mekong Delta and want to expand links with HCM City in information technology, which is one of India’s strengths.

Congratulating India on its recent achievements, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem highlighted the economic development between the two sides, affirming that India is a close friend of Vietnam.

Trade between HCM City and India hit 822 million USD in 2015. Indian businesses have poured 55 million USD into 43 projects in the city.

Liem said there is great potential for enterprises from India and HCM City to strengthen cooperation, adding that he looks forward to stronger ties between the two sides.

Programme brings warm Tet holiday to poor labourers

A great number of disadvantaged workers across the country have received free tickets to travel home to reunite with family for the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday under a programme launched by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL).

According to VGCL Permanent Vice President Tran Thanh Hai, 30 out of 53 municipal and provincial labour unions which registered to join the programme have responded to the drive.

Apart from free home-coming buses, underprivileged employees will also be presented with gifts, each worth from 300,000 (13.5 USD) to 500,000 VND (22.5 USD).

On this occasion, local labour unions have been organising cultural activities for workers at processing and industrial zones who are unable to return home for Tet.

Under the programme, those enterprises which have cared for the interests of their workers will be honoured.-

School for OV children opens in Cambodian province

A school for children of overseas Vietnamese (OV) was inaugurated in the Cambodian province of Siem Riep on February 3.

The floating school facility on Tonle Sap lake comprises of two classrooms accommodating nearly 100 students.

The construction cost is funded by the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs.

On the occasion, Vietnamese Consul General to Battambang Nguyen Son Thuy presented gifts to 100 poor OVs in the locality ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Hanoi leader makes pre-Tet visit to top Buddhist monk

Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Hong Khanh paid a pre-Tet visit to Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), at Vien Minh Pagoda, Phu Xuyen district, Hanoi on February 2.

At the meeting, Vice Chairman Khanh extended wishes for health and a happy Lunar New Year to Supreme Patriarch Thich Pho Tue.

The VBS, under the leadership of the Most Venerable, has been spiritually looking after the community of its followers and greatly contributing to the development of Hanoi and the country, the city official said.

Khanh expressed his hope that Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, who will turn 100 years old this year, will continue leading the VBS and fostering the new-style rural area process in Phu Duyen district.

The Supreme Patriarch thanked the Vice Chairman and the municipal authority for the city’s preferential policies for Buddhist practices, and wished them a peaceful and prosperous holiday.

Happier Tet holiday awaits disadvantaged people

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and representatives from the Vietnam Red Cross on February 3 visited and presented gifts to poor families and victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in Vu Thu district, in the northern province of Thai Binh.

The Vice President noted with joy the achievements Vu Thu has made in new-style rural area building, giving a facelift to rural areas in the province.

She also praised the local authorities for their efforts in fulfilling social welfare obligations towards people and families who rendered services to the revolution.

In recent days, a range of charitable activities have been conducted across the country in order to bring a happy New Year holiday to disadvantaged people.

The Poor Patient Sponsor Association of Quang Binh province in conjunction with local hospitals and donors will provide free meals for underprivileged patients from February 3-13.

Pham Quang Lich, the association’s President, said with more than 100 million VND (4,500 USD) mobilised from individuals and collectives, the association will prepare meals for patients in nine public hospitals in the locality during Tet.

Also on February 3, thousands of disadvantaged children in Ho Chi Minh City gathered at the Tao Dan park to receive Tet gifts under a programme launched by the municipal Chapter of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

The programme forms part of a series of activities the agency has organised to aid children in difficult circumstances across the city.

As part of a programme initiated by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, on February 3, the first among the 46 free home-coming buses began to carry 2,000 workers at industrial parks in the southern province of Dong Nai to return home for Tet.

Hanoi leader conveys New Year wishes to religious organisations

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung received on February 3 Archbishop of Hanoi Cardinal Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, who visited and conveyed New Year wishes to municipal authorities.

The archbishop wished health and success to the city leaders, and expressed his delight at the city’s positive growth.

He took the opportunity to thank authorities for their support to the Archdiocese of Hanoi.

Chung, in reply, wished the Cardinal and the Archdiocese of Hanoi a happy and peaceful New Year.

The same day, Chairman Chung hosted a reception for a delegation from the Hanoi Evangelical Church led by Pastor Bui Quoc Phong, who was accompanied by Pastor Tae Won-soo from the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church and Pastor Jacob Bloemberg from the Hanoi International Fellowship.

Chung thanked the foreign community for their contributions to the city and vowed all possible support for them to practice their religions.

He hoped that the Hanoi Evangelical Church will work closely with the municipal Committee for Religious Affairs to offer better assistance to local followers.

Celebrations for upcoming Lunar New Year nationwide

A series of activities are underway nationwide to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival and the 86th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

They include a music show in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on February 2 and the opening of a flower garden in the central province of Quang Ngai on February 3.

In the northern province of Vinh Phuc, hundreds of overseas Vietnamese on February 3 gathered at the “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring) programme to celebrate the occasion.

Vinh Phuc is home to nearly 1,500 Vietnamese expatriates. Since 2009, they have sent home more than 56 million USD and 5 million EUR.

The central province of Ninh Thuan inaugurated a flower garden and an ornamental plant competition at a local museum also on February 3.

The same day, music performances were put on stage in Phan Rang city.

While in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, 10 artists were awarded with the insignia “For the cause of literature and arts” during a get-together that attracted 150 artists representing units of the municipal Union of Art and Literature Associations.

Similar activities also took place in the central province of Phu Yen and the southern province of Vinh Long.

Tay Ninh, Cambodian localities strengthen friendship

Leaders of the southern province of Tay Ninh on February 3 held a meeting with representatives from the neighbouring Cambodian provinces of Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Tbong Khmum and Kampong Cham ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Tay Ninh province People’s Committee Pham Van Tan said 2015 marked a deepened relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as Tay Ninh and Cambodian localities which share the border.

The two sides have supported each other in fulfilling their socio-economic development tasks, while joining hands in border demarcation and marker planting, preserving security and safety at the common border line.

They have also facilitated cross-border business and movement of people, thus contributing to deepening solidarity, mutual understanding and trust between the two countries’ people, Tan said.

The official expressed his belief that the traditional bilateral relations will continue to be enhanced in the future.

Chiang Am, Svay Rieng province’s Governor, lauded the Vietnam and Tay Ninh in particular have attained in recent years, particularly in economic development, improving people’s living standards and heightening the country’s position in the world.

The guest said he believes that under the sound leadership of the two Governments, their traditional solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation will only be strengthened.

The two sides will continue their coordination in protecting a border of peace, friendship and sustainable development and work together to raise their people’s living standards.

Party, State officials present gifts to the needy

A delegation led by National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visited disadvantaged families and revolutionary contributors in the northern province of Bac Giang’s Tri Yen commune on February 3.

Ngan extended her New Year wishes to the locals, stressing that the Party and Government always pay heed to the well-being of all people, particularly those with difficulties.

On the occasion, 160 gifts worth a total of 130,000 million VND (5,850 USD) were handed over to needy households and children.

The delegation also came to the provincial centre for social welfare with 50 million VND (2,250 USD) and 35 gifts to give to the centre.

The same day, Public Security Minister Tran Dai Quang attended a meeting in northern Ninh Binh province. He congratulated the province on achievements in political system building and socio-economic development last year.

He wished Ninh Binh’s party committee, security force, and residents a New Year of health and success.

A total of 4,000 gifts were presented to local needy.

President pays pre-Tet visits to Hung Yen, Ha Nam

President Truong Tan Sang visited and extended congratulations to Hung Yen and Ha Nam authorities and people ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

He asked the two provinces to restructure agriculture and improve products’ added value by embracing technological advances.

The leader said he believes that Hung Yen and Ha Nam will uphold their momentum to reap more success during the first year of realising a resolution adopted by the recently-closed 12 th National Party Congress.

He requested that all possible support must be provided for local residents, including families of war heroes and soldiers in mission, ensuring a warm Tet holiday for them.

The President also offered incense to late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh in Hung Yen and visited several high-quality farming models in Ha Nam.

Tet gifts offered to impoverished people nationwide

The Sponsoring Association for Poor Patients in the south-western region allocated VND19 billion (US$864,000) 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 VND600 million ($27, 000) 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 VND13 billion ($590,000) 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 VND100 million ($4,500) to local victims in order to help them generate an income.

On the same occasion, the northern province of Vinh Phuc mobilised nearly VND21.3 billion ($968,000) 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.

President sends Tet greetings to Truong Sa soldiers, residents

President Truong Tan Sang has sent greetings and VND100 million (US$4,400) worth of gifts to soldiers of the Navy Zone 4 High Command and residents in the Truong Sa island district to wish them a happy Lunar New Year.

The soldiers and locals said the gifts were a special gift from the president.

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

Ho Chi Minh City authorities share New Year joy with workers

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

Municipal leaders gave gifts to workers, each worth VND500,000 (US$22.7).

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 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. 

President pays pre-Tet visit to Long An

President Truong Tan Sang, accompanied by Chief Judge of the Supreme People's Court Truong Hoa Binh, paid a pre-Tet visit to the Party Committee and people of southern Long An province on February 6.

During the meeting, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Phan Van Ranh briefed the President on the locality's socio-economic development last year.

According to the secretary, the province's GDP grew 11.6 percent in 2015, higher than the target of 11.5 percent while GPD per capita reached VND50.4 million (US$2,300) per person per year, slightly above the target of VND50 million per person per year.

Some 43 communes earned the new-style rural area title last year, compared to the year's target of 36. Industrial production was valued at VND129 trillion ($5.8 billion), up over 15 percent from 2014, he said.

In his remarks, President Truong Tan Sang hailed the province's achievements, adding that the locality needs to keep up its growth momentum for the following years.

It should also learn from the success stories of neighbouring provinces, notably Dong Nai and Binh Duong, in their process of industrialisation and modernisation, he noted.

Furthermore, the president urged Long An to make the most of its advantages, so as to overcome challenges posed by the new-generation free trade agreements Vietnam has signed up to.

Soc Trang hosts first regional lion, dragon dance championship

The Soc Trang Open “Lan, Su, Rong” (Unicorn, Lion, Dragon) Dance championship kicked off for the first time in the Mekong Delta province on February 5.

It brings together 21 troupes from the Mekong Delta region, southern Binh Duong province and Ho Chi Minh City. Best among them are the troupes from Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Can Tho and Dong Thap where the traditional dance and sport art has been developed.

These troupes are expected to show off their skills with a wide range of breath-taking performances during the competition which aims to encourage the practice of the dance not only in the region but also across the nation.

The competition is scheduled to end late on February 6.-

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.

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.

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