Gift-giving activities targeting poor households are underway in cities and provinces nationwide in an effort to bring a happy Tet for all Vietnamese.

At a meeting with the Quang Ngai local authorities on January 14, the Quang Ngai businesses’ club presented 10 billion VND (470,000 USD) in support of poor households.

The club also granted 150 million VND (71,000 USD) to districts of Tu Nghia, Nghia Hanh and Mo Duc each, and donated another 150 million VND to build five new houses.

Chairman of Quang Ngai Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Le Viet Chu said over 30,000 out of nearly 50,000 needy households would receive gifts, worth 400,000 VND (19 USD) each.

In the southern province of Vinh Long , the provincial Fund for the Poor spent some 5 billion VND (230,000 USD) on buying Tet gifts for 16,500 families, worth 300,000 VND (14 USD) each.

On January 15-18, the provincial Support Fund for Children will offer 200,000 VND (over 9 USD) gifts to each of around 900 poor, nearly-poor and ethnic minority children.

Forty HIV/AIDS children will receive 300,000 VND (14 USD), plus sweet treats, pillows, teddy bears and nutritional food.

For over 13,000 poverty threshold families, the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee called for donations by philanthropic organisations and individuals, each worth 10-14 USD.

Also on January 14 in the northern province of Nam Dinh, 75 gifts worth 400,000 VND each went to the poor, the disabled and victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in districts of Nam Truc, Vu Ban and Nam Dinh city.

The provincial Red Cross Society has so far raised gifts to 14,000 of their fellows. It has also called for donations in kind like clothes, blankets, mosquito nets, rice, candy and basic necessities.

Similar events also took place in the northern provinces of Vinh Phuc, Thai Nguyen and the southern cities and provinces of Can Tho and Tay Ninh.-VNA