HCMC reaching out to poor and disadvantaged during Tet

Local authorities, various agencies and organizations in Ho Chi Minh City have laid out several programs to ensure that the poor, needy and the disadvantaged people of the city are able to enjoy and join in the festivities during the coming Tet Lunar New Year.

On January 6, 2 delegations of the HCMC Party, the People’s Council, the People’s Committee and the Fatherland Front, led by two Vice HCMC Party Secretaries Nguyen Van Dua and Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, offered Tet greetings and gifts to the Phuoc Binh drug rehab centre of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; the Education School no. 4 of the Ministry of Public Security; and the Nhi Xuan Educational and Vocational Training School in HCMC.

Vice Secretary Nguyen Van Dua praised efforts made by the director of the Phuoc Binh drug rehab centre. He said bonuses had been considered for the most outstanding cadre and employees who have contributed to bringing these drug victims and addicts back into society.

Vice Secretary Nguyen Thi Thu Ha offered money so that the   prisoners can celebrate a simple but joyous Tet. She said HCMC has made plans to organize Tet entertainment activities to ensure that Tet festivities are enjoyed by every family and every individual.  Thanks to gifts and the care of local authorities, the poor families will have an adequate Tet, she said.

On the same day, her delegation also visited Hospital 175 and sent Tet greetings to leaders of neighboring Dong Nai Province .

On Jan 6, the local chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the city's ‘Fund for the Poor’, in coordination with Chief executive officers of Saigon Tourist and Vincom Company came to Ly Nhon Commune in Can Gio District in HCMC to offer 400 Tet gifts, each worth VND400,000, to the disadvantaged households.

Duong Quang Ha, head of the fund raising division, said the fund has mobilized agencies, enterprises, ethnic and religious groups as well as the general public to donate under the theme “Do not let any poor household miss out on Tet".

The city's ‘Fund for the Poor’ will also present thousands of gifts to poor families who stay in remote areas of the district.

On the same day, another delegation led by Huynh Thanh Lap, head of the HCMC National Assembly Legislators visited 5 disadvantaged households who are beneficiaries of the State's preferential policies in Binh Chanh District in HCMC.   “The amount was not big but it helps buy new clothes for the children and some food and wine to worship our ancestors during Tet,” Lap said.

Ho Chi Minh City is stepping up efforts to bring joy to poor students ahead of the Lunar New Year festivities, which start in about three weeks.

The HCMC Student Assistance Center announced that it will cooperate with the local chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front to grant free bus tickets to those disadvantaged students who wish to return to their hometown to celebrate Tet with their families.

The center has so far chosen around 2,750 needy students to receive the grant.

For those who will stay in the city, he says, the center will find part-time jobs and organize many celebrations for them during the festivities.

Youth Unions, Student Associations, and management boards of many schools will also hold various activities and events aimed at bringing a warm and festive atmosphere to poor students this Tet.

On the occasion of Tet, the HCMC Export Processing and Industrial Zone Authority (HEPZA) will give 6,000 bus tickets to industrial park workers who will not be returning to their homes in the central and northern regions for many years, according to HEPZA Trade Union.

The union will also present thousands of gifts to workers that have been laid off and to migrant workers who will be staying in the city during Tet.