PM Nguyen Tan Dung chairs a meeting on February 19, 2013 to review situation during the traditional Lunar New Year holiday - Photo: VGP

The Government chief made the request on February 19 in Ha Noi while chairing a meeting to review the situation during the Lunar New Year.

Inferior levels need to focus on realizing Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP on major solutions guiding and directing the realization of the plan for socio-economic development and state budget estimate in 2013 and Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP on solutions to remove difficulties against production and business, support the market and deal with non-performing loans, he requested.

PM Dung praised ministries, branches and localities for their efforts to ensure a happy and safe Tet festival.

Prior to Tet, new year gifts worth around VND 393 billion were given to 19 million people who render meritorious services to the nation. About 24,000 tons of relief rice was delivered to poor people in 15 provinces.

In addition, local authorities granted gifts worth over VND 807 billion to families which are beneficiaries of social welfare policies.

During Tet festival, the number of foreign domestic tourists went up almost 10-15% against the same period last year.

However, in some localities, traffic jams still occurred. In many tourist sites and spring festivals, visitors still ignored regulations on hygiene and safety and firecracker ban.   

There were 681 criminal cases, down by 4.76% compared with the previous holiday; 314 deaths in 373 traffic accidents which also injured 387 others.

By Khanh Phuong