HÀ NỘI — General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng praised the “outstanding performance” of the Party Central Committee’s office while extending Tết greetings to its staff yesterday.

He said the office has been a sterling advisor to the Party Central Committee, the Political Bureau and the Secretariat.

The challenges and opportunities presented by domestic and global situations impose new requirements on the Party leadership, hence the staff should pool experiences and tighten solidarity in fulfilling assigned tasks, he said.

He also urged them to join hands with relevant agencies in efficiently implement the agenda set for 2017.

He especially called on the office to strictly implement the Resolution of the Party Central Committee on building and strengthening the Party, curbing degradation of political ideology, morality and lifestyle.

They should remain alert for signs of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” within the ranks, the Party leader said.

Prime Minister inspects Division 312

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc inspected the combat readiness of Division 312, one of the first regular divisions of the Việt Nam People’s Army, at its headquarters in Phố Yến District, the northern province of Thái Nguyên yesterday.

Division 312, also called Division “Chiến thắng” (victorious), launched a maiden fight against the French outpost at Him Lam Hill, part of France’s garrison at Điện Biên Phủ, in 1954. It captured Christian de Castries – the French commander there, helping Việt Nam win the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign and end France’s rule in Indochina.
Reporting on the Division’s operational training to the Government leader, the division commander said the troops worked hard to be responsive to any situation. Efforts have also been made to improve soldiers’ material and spiritual life and reinforce connections with local authorities and people.
At the meeting, PM Phúc highlighted the traditions and fighting spirit of Division 312, especially during the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign and the Hồ Chí Minh Campaign, which reunified Việt Nam in 1975.
As Division 312 is deployed at a gateway of the capital city of Hà Nội, its officers and soldiers need to uphold traditions and enhance combat readiness, he said.
He told the Division to be creative in operational training, maintain discipline and promote solidarity so as to set an example for other military units to follow.
On the occasion of the coming Lunar New Year, the PM sent best wishes to officers and soldiers of Division 312, noting that the Party and State put complete trust in the division and its umbrella – the Army Corps 1.

Former state leaders greeted

A Hà Nội delegation led by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, Hoàng Trung Hải, and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung, visited former Party, State and National Assembly leaders on the threshold of the Lunar New Year (Tết).
The Hà Nội leaders extended New Year wishes to former Party General Secretaries Đỗ Mười, Lê Khả Phiêu and Nông Đức Mạnh, former Presidents Lê Đức Anh and Trần Đức Lương, and former NA Chairmen Nguyễn Văn An and Nguyễn Sinh Hùng.
The delegation also made pre-Tết visits to policy beneficiary families and the poor in the city, as well as retired officials.
Meanwhile in Hồ Chí Minh City, municipal leaders offered incense and flowers to martyrs at the Hồ Chí Minh City Martyrs’ Cemetery and the City Cemetery, part of activities expressing gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for national liberation.
Hùng Kings honoured

A commemoration ceremony was held at the Hùng Kings Temple in HCM City, offering the traditional Tết dish of Bánh Tét to the legendary founders of the nation on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.
The ceremony was attended by a delegation of the municipal Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and the Việt Nam Fatherland Front committee, led by Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, Đinh La Thăng.
The offerings at the ceremony were chosen from among the best cakes of the recent Bánh Tét contest.
Bánh Tét (cylindrical glutinous rice cake) is a traditional cake enjoyed by southern Vietnamese people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. It is considered a variant of Bánh Chưng (square glutinous rice cake), which is more popular in the northern region. 
The cake is made with sticky rice and filled with pork fat and beans seasoned with black pepper and shallots. It is wrapped in banana leaves and as a result, the sticky rice takes on a pale green color and a slightly leafy taste. Even though the cake is now available all year round, it is still considered a New Year treat. 
The Hùng Kings ruled Việt Nam from 2879 BC until 258 BC and are considered the founders of the nation. The tenth day of the third lunar month serves as the national commemorative anniversary for the kings. The worship of the Hùng Kings was recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.—VNS