Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Feb. 22 chaired a meeting with his deputies to discuss the Government’s immediate tasks.

According to a report by Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Xuan Phuc, people had an enjoyable, safe and productive Tet.

Before Tet, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on behalf of State President Nguyen Minh Triet handed gifts totaling 378 billion VND (19.8 million USD) to 1.8 million people throughout the country.

Cities and provinces nationwide also spent more than 600 billion VND (31 million USD) on presents and gifts that went to charities during the holidays.

The country’s leaders paid visits to families who contributed to the country’s revolution. They also visited invalids and martyrs’ families throughout the country.

Supplies for impoverished families were distributed to 4.2 million people, which were worth 400 billion VND. Approximately 40,000 tonnes of rice were given to people in need during the holidays.

The report also said that enterprises had prepared well for the Tet holidays, which helped to some extent stabilise prices before and after Tet.

Security and social order were also ensured during the holidays.

However, due to the large number of people traveling during the holidays, 287 people died and 425 were injured because of traffic accidents.

The Prime Minister and deputy Prime Ministers also asked ministries, sectors, cities and provinces to properly carry out instructions for the socio-economic tasks for 2010.

Ministries and sectors need to launch Resolution 03/NQ-CP for socio-economic development and complete the State budget for 2010. The market, prices and goods need to be regulated in order to ensure that the country’s economy remains stable.

Production and trade activities should be fostered and workers should remain disciplined.

Duing also called on relevant authorities to prevent forest fires, in the southwest, Central Highlands and northern mountainous areas in the country. Measures to tackle drought and diseases that affect crops and animals must be conducted.

He said relevant ministries must ensure traffic safety, limit traffic jams and accidents. The Ministry of Public Security must cooperate with the Ministry of Transport to manage and deal with violators of transportation regulations.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism was asked to instruct provinces to organise traditional festivals in a safe and efficient manner.

Ministries, sectors and provinces should evaluate their major projects and goals in the first quarter of the year in order to carry out their respective tasks successfully./.