Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued directive No.44/CT-TTg urging ministries and government agencies to ensure a safe and happy Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, Vietnam’s largest festive period, for all.
| Hang Luoc flower market during festive period. Photo: Pham Hung. |
Under the directive, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is tasked with cooperating with local provinces/cities in promoting domestic consumption, while ensuring sufficient supplies of basic necessities to meet local demands during the final month of the year and in the Lunar New Year period.
The MoIT should give priority in protecting customers rights and timely identify market violations, especially regarding the sale of smuggled, fake, banned or low-quality products.
The PM requested customs authorities to tighten border control and prevent illegal cross-border smuggling of goods and products.
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is responsible for monitoring the market prices, particularly basic necessities under the price stabilization program.
The Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (MARD) should step up preparation against potential bad weather and diseases to ensure continuity in production and meet growing demands at the year-end period.
Mr. Phuc expected the MARD to set up scenarios in stabilizing prices and balance supply – demand of agricultural products and basic necessities in the final month of 2020 and early 2021.
The PM asked the Ministry of Health to remain alert against the Covid-19 and other diseases that are common in the winter-spring seasons, as well as coming up with plans in case of Covid-19 resurgence.
All checkpoints at borders and airports are required to strictly comply with anti-virus protocols, noted the directive.
The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) should provide support and care for social beneficiaries and poor households to ensure a happy holiday for all people.
Given the huge traffic movement during the Lunar New Year, the Ministry of Transport is urged to manage transportation activities in an efficient manner and avoid cases of people unable to return to their hometown due to the lack of services.
More efforts are needed to reduce traffic accidents and congestion during this festive period, Mr. Phuc added.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the country’s central bank, should manage the monetary policy in a flexible manner and in line with the global financial situation.
According to Mr. Phuc, the banking system’s priority is to ensure liquidity and the safety of the system.
Mr. Phuc noted the scale of fireworks displays at each province/city during the Lunar New Year should depend on their own conditions and state funding should not be spent on this purpose. He urged provincial governments to bear the Covid-19 pandemic in mind before planning for celebration activities.
