Presenting red envelopes (filled with lucky money) is among Viet Nam's traditional customs during Tet holiday

He tasked ministries, agencies and localities to safeguard price stabilization of essential commodities, prevent cost escalation and ensure transport safety during the Tet holiday.

Localities must take care of policy beneficiaries, people with meritorious services to the nation, the poor, servicemen and policemen, the Government leader stressed.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong said his Ministry has designed a plan to assure supply of essential goods for the holiday.

Transport Minister Dinh La Thang guaranteed that all citizens could go home for Tet holiday as the sector has arranged adequate transport means.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs said it worked with local authorities to ensure salary payment and awards for workers in industrial parks.

This year’s Tet holiday falls on February in stead of January in 2012. It is often the time when prices of commodities soar.

January’s consumer price index rose by 1.25%, making it harder for the Government to pull down the last year’s inflation rate of 6.81%, according to the General Statistics Office.

Moreover, industrial production went up 21.1% against the same period last year, the expansion was still modest, the agency reported.

Despite economic hardship, the Government still prioritizes resources to secure social welfare targets in 2013./.

By Huong Giang