More than 12 billion VND (570,000 USD) is expected to be raised during a programme entitled “Xuan yeu thuong” (the beloved Spring) scheduled for February 10 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho to help local needy soldiers and poor households enjoy a warm and happy Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Revealing the scheme on January 22, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region (SCSR) Nguyen Phong Quang said the event shows the great care of the Party and the State for the poor during the nation’s traditional holiday, which will run from February 15-23.

The programme, jointly organised by the SCSR, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the municipal People’s Committee and the Vietnam Television Centre in Can Tho, will feature a speech by a deputy prime minister, a gift presentation ceremony and an array of art performances.

In a similar move, Ho Chi Minh City expects to mobilise 100 billion VND (4.7 million USD) for poor residents in 2015, with the first priority given to providing them with a warm Tet holiday.

A campaign will also be launched by the municipal Fatherland Front Committee to collect around 30 billion VND (1.4 million USD) for officers and soldiers working in border areas and islands, among others.-VNA