Phạm Chí Tâm, deputy chairman of the HCM City Labour Federation, presents Tết gifts to workers ahead of the holiday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City will earmark more than VNĐ1 trillion (US$42 million) to present gifts and provide various kinds of support to poor people, orphans, and families during the upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday.

More than 313,600 Tết gifts worth a total of VNĐ927 billion ($39 million) will be presented to poor people, orphans, families who are beneficiaries of social policies and people who rendered services to the nation, said Huỳnh Lê Như Trang, deputy director of the city’s Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The total budget rose by VNĐ76 billion ($3.2 million) from last year’s figure, Trang said at a meeting held by the city’s People's Council on Tuesday.

HCM City Women’s Union will set aside VNĐ6 billion ($253,140) to present more than 6,700 gifts to female workers at industrial parks and export processing zones, women with disabilities and those in difficult financial conditions, according to Trần Thị Phương Hoa, the union’s deputy chairwoman.

Phạm Chí Tâm, deputy chairman of the HCM City Labour Federation, said a total budget of VNĐ140 billion ($564 million) would be earmarked to present gifts, organise various celebrations and support more than 260,000 union members and workers.

The federation will organise programmes to ensure their union members and workers enjoy a happy Tết holiday, Tâm said.

The programme entitled “Tết sum vầy - Xuân tri ân” (Tết reunion - Spring gratitude) will present gifts worth VNĐ1 million each to 10,000 migrant families who cannot afford to return home during Tết holiday.

Around 500 families will receive train tickets to return home for Tết holiday under the programme “Chuyến tàu mùa xuân” (Spring train) and thousands of bus and air tickets will be sent to disadvantaged union members and workers.

The city will celebrate the New Year with 18 major events and various art performances and sports activities, according to the city’s Department of Culture and Sports.

A music countdown party will take place on Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street on December 31.

Two high-altitude fireworks shows for 15 minutes are expected to be set off from Thủ Thiêm tunnel in Thủ Đức City and Đầm Sen Cultural Park in District 11 on New Year’s Eve. — VNS