Various cities and provinces nationwide are busy with gift-givingactivities in order to bring underprivileged people and families of warheroes a warm and happy New Year holiday.

On January 20,the Vietnam News Agency bureau based in the southern province of BinhPhuoc and the provincial chapter of the Vietnam Association of Victimsof Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin (VAVA) presented a house to a family of AOsufferers.

On the occasion, the chapter also handed overfour houses and 1,000 gifts worth some 400 million VND to AO victims inthe locality.

The same day, the Soc Trang provincial chapterof the Labour Federation donated gifts to 750 poor workers, each worth300,000 VND (14 USD).

In the central province of Quang Tri,Deputy Minister and deputy head of the Government Committee for EthnicAffairs, Hoang Xuan Luong, visited and extended New Year wishes to theprovincial People’s Committee and poor ethnic minorities in Dakrongdistrict.

They offered 80 gifts, each worth 500,000 VND (23USD) to Pako and Van Kieu ethnic groups in the communes of Huong Hiep,Hai Phuc, Ba Long, the district ethnic boarding school and People’sCommittee.

The northern province of Bac Ninh alone earmarkedover 450 million VND for gifts to the poor, families of war heroes, theelderly, children with disabilities and the homeless.

Ho ChiMinh City’s VAVA chapter raised funds to buy gifts for 1,300 victims,including children aged below 16. Each is valued at 300,000 VND.

Over 1,600 gifts worth a total of 500 million VND (23,000 USD) alsowent to poor households and victims of storms in Dak Po, Kbang and KongChro districts and An Khe township in the Central Highlands province ofGia Lai.

Chairman of the Hanoi chapter of Labour FederationTran Van Thuc said the city’s Trade Union will offer 74 free rides,taking about 3,000 poor workers to their hometowns to enjoy the holiday.

It also presented 500,000 VND each to 500 union members,and handed over gifts worth some 50 million VND (2,300 USD) to sevenunits and five outstanding workers.-VNA