On the occasion of the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh offered incense to Uncle Ho at his relics in the Hanoi-based Presidential Palace on February 13.

The Party leader affirmed that Uncle Ho was a national hero who devoted all of his life to the cause of national liberation and socialism construction.

He spoke highly of efforts made by the staff of the President Ho Chi Minh Relics in preserving Uncle Ho’s belongings as well as introducing his great life and career to people nationwide and international tourists.

Also the same day, State President Nguyen Minh Triet and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung paid Tet visits to the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Thanh Hai reported the city’s Tet preparations for local people to the State and Government leaders. The city spent over 200 billion VND in support for poor households and families enjoying priority policy, and provided 422 billion VND in non-interest loans for 13 businesses within 6 months to prepare sufficient goods during Tet.

PM Dung highly valued Ho Chi Minh City ’s contribution to the country’s socio-economic achievements over the past year, helping improve Vietnam ’s position in the international arena.

He said he wished Ho Chi Minh City will continue upholding its fine traditions to obtain greater socio-economic achievements this year./.