Patriotic movements should be practical and keep in line with political tasks as well as the people's wishes, said PM Nguyen Tan Dung at the 41st meeting of the Central Council for Emulation and Awards in Hanoi on March 1.

The meeting's objectives were to review the emulation movements that took place in 2010 and plan for 2011.

Tran Thi Ha, Vice Minister of Home Affairs and Vice Chairperson of the Council said 2010 was a successful year for the patriotic emulation movements.

"Various emulation movements were launched last year on different occasions, including the 1000th anniversary celebration of Thang Long-Hanoi, the campaign to successfully achieve the 2010 socio-economic targets, the movement to follow President Ho Chi Minh's moral example, and the campaign to practise thrift and against waste. These movements have drawn the participation of a large number of people from all walks of life across the nation."

In 2010, President Nguyen Minh Triet signed decisions to award 33 Golden Star Orders, 46 Ho Chi Minh Orders, 934 Independent Orders and 7,267 Labour Orders to collectives and individuals.

The Council also submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister asking the President to award the title "Hero of the People's Armed Forces" to 16 units and the title "Labour Hero" to 40 units.

In their discussion for the 2011 plan, participants agreed that major themes for the patriotic movements should focus on inflation control and stabilising the macro economy, and the development of cultured rural areas.

Addressing the meeting, PM Dung acknowledged the practical contributions of the movement to the nation's achievements in 2010.

In addition to the three main themes already mentioned, Dung asked all ministries, sectors, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and localities to exert efforts to ensure national defence and security for successful National Assembly and local level People's Council elections in May.

"In the patriotic emulation movements, it is very important to find role models and replicate them," said Dung. "The movements should have strong roots in the people and reflect their wishes and should be in line with political missions."

The meeting was chaired by PM Dung who is also the Chairman of the Central Council for Emulation and Awards. /.