On the occasion of the Lunar New Year Festival (Tet), President Truong Tan Sang extended his New Year's greetings to people nationwide, while National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung took part in an online meeting with soldiers and people on Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

“On the auspicious occasion of the New Year, the Year of the Dragon 2012, I cordially extend my best wishes to all Vietnamese people across the country and those living abroad,” Sang said in his message.

He also extended wishes of peace, stability, cooperation and development to all foreign friends living and working in Vietnam as well as people around the world.

Thanks to the joint efforts and determination of all Vietnamese citizens, comrades and soldiers, Vietnam recorded significant progress in the Year of the Cat 2011 and overcame many difficulties and challenges to obtain considerable achievements in economic growth, social welfare, political stability and social order, and national defense and security, while firmly protecting the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and strengthening its external relations and international integration to raise the nation's status in the world.

“In this New Year of the Dragon 2012, although still facing numerous difficulties, the Party, army, and patriotic Vietnamese people with their firm trust in the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and the country's bright future ahead, let’s unite to promote Vietnamese people's steadfastness, brainpower and culture and seize every opportunity to overcome all obstacles and challenges.”

The country continues to obtain more achievements in national industrialisation, modernisation, construction and the defense of a Socialist Vietnam to build a wealthier, more beautiful and civilised country for the happiness and prosperity of the people, the President said.

Meanwhile, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung was talking directly with soldiers and people on Truong Sa archipelago, conveying his seasonal greetings to them on a special broadcast programme by the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

He said Truong Sa is an dispensable part of Vietnam . Each soldier and each person working in the archipelago makes a direct contribution to national construction and defence.

Hung affirmed that the hearts of people and soldiers throughout the country are always directed toward Truong Sa archipelago.

On the Lunar New Year Festival, NA Chairman Hung extended his best wishes to all Vietnamese people across the country in the new year of prosperity and greater successes.

He also encouraged all VOV reporters, editors, and technicians to reap still greater achievements in the new year./.