An arts programme on legend of monetary road was held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 17 to honour the Vietnamese banking sector for its great contributions to the development of the country.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and former Party and state leaders, along with leaders of central branches, ministries, and HCM City.

During the programme, the delegates reviewed the tradition of the banking sector over the nation’s history.

The programme also featured a wide variety of arts and cultural performances praising the beauty of the land and people of Vietnam.

Addressing the programme, the Prime Minister stressed the role of the banking system during war time as well as national construction and development today.

On May 6, 1951, President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree establishing the Vietnam National Bank which was responsible for issuing banknotes, managing the State Treasury and budget revenues, and conducting credit activities to serve commodity circulation and strengthening the state economy, as well as fighting the enemy on the currency monetary front.

During the anti-US war, the main tasks of the banking sector were consolidating the currency market, recovering the economy of the north of Vietnam after the fiercest years of the war against the US and promoting the development of agriculture, industry and trade to contribute to the cause of building socialism in the North and the struggle for liberation in the South.

Over the past years, the sector has actively contributed to ensuring the country’s social security, especially supporting the poor as well as people of ethnic minorities and in remote areas, emphasised the PM.

He also expressed his hope that the banking officials and staff will strive further to make the system develop more rapidly, comprehensively, effectively, safely and sustainably, contributing more to the national construction and defence in the new period.-VNA