Youth Union members join workers in a contest to wrap bánh chưng (square glutinous cake) at a Lunar New Year Festival in the southern province of Đồng Nai on Sunday. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Lâm |
HÀ NỘI — Various programmes to support workers were held in southern provinces, including Đồng Nai and Long An, on the occasion of Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, Vietnam News Agency reported.
The festival had contests such as wrapping bánh chưng (square glutinous cake) and decorating mâm ngũ quả (a set of five kinds of fruits) and other traditional games.
On the occasion, the Central Youth Union presented 50 free one-way air tickets to disadvantaged workers who were unable to go home. The workers will depart one day before Tết and will be assisted by shuttle to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport and from Nội Bài International Airport to five provinces in the north.
The provincial Youth Union also gave over 4,000 Tết gift packages, worth VNĐ2 billion (US$88,000), to needy workers.
Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, secretary of Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union, said over the past few years, the Central Youth Union had worked with the Labour Confederation to direct local youth unions and trade unions to assist labourers through such meaningful activities as presenting gifts to disadvantaged workers, handing free bus tickets or helping them buy Vietnamese products with reasonable prices.
The Youth Union has so far held 700 cultural activities and given 50,000 Tết gifts worth VNĐ14.5 billion ($638,400) to underpriviledged workers.
It also presented 100 free air tickets and 21,000 free bus tickets, as well as made available free home-coming buses on the occasion.
Similar activities were also organised in the Mekong Delta province of Long An. During the festival, participants enjoyed many interesting performances and games.
Some 500 gifts worth VNĐ400,000 ($17.6) each were handed over to needy workers by the provincial Youth Union and donors.
Also on Sunday, Bạc Liêu Province Young Entrepreneurs Association presented more than 170 gifts worth VNĐ300,000 ($13) to families of civil servants, workers and students with financial difficulties. — VNS