A customer checks out the various baked products on display ahead of Tet (Lunar New Year) festival in Saigon Co.op Nguyễn Trãi supermarket in Thanh Xuân District, Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has assigned agencies to ensure enough good quality and reasonably priced commodity supplies for all people, especially those in mountainous and disaster-hit areas.

The requirement was made at a meeting presided over by the PM with ministries and agencies over preparation for Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday at the Government Headquarters on Monday

While applauding ministries, sectors and localities for their efforts to carefully prepare for Tết, the PM also discussed tasks to be carried out during the holiday.

Businesses have been asked to make sure labourers would receive wages as well as a bonus.

He emphasised the need to ensure production plans and that residents in the Mekong Delta region would have a supply of clean water.

The Ministry of Transport was assigned to facilitate travel during the holiday period.

The PM requested the border guard and market surveillance force as well as the National Steering Committee for Combating Smuggling, Trade Frauds and Counterfeits to take strong measures against would-be criminals.
The banking sector was asked to ensure safe and convenient transactions for people.

He also asked ministries, localities and sectors to focus on their work immediately after Tết.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and localities were called to tighten the management and organisation of festivals, ensuring they take place economically while preserving traditional cultural values.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the ministry has adopted measures to prepare adequate goods and stabilise the market.

The amount of goods for Tết of businesses increased by 20-25 per cent compared to the normal months of the year.

Regarding pork, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said at the meeting held in December enterprises in livestock breeding and distribution have committed to reduce the price of pork, which is subject to heavy inflation due to either shortage or traders' withholding their stock as the country's herd is still reeling from the aftermath of the devastating African swine fever outbreak that saw many pigs culled.

Since December 28, the price has been decreased and gradually stabilised. Falling by VNĐ10,000-20,000 per a kilo.

Activities to care for poor households and policy beneficiaries ahead of Tết were underway at localities across the country, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

HCM City took the lead in terms of expenditure with more than VNĐ830 billion (US$35.8 million), followed by Hà Nội and Hải Phòng city with VNĐ395 billion and 207 billion, respectively.

The Ministry of Public Security has launched a month-long campaign to suppress crimes and deploy measures to ensure traffic safety including the Government Decree 100 on administrative fines for road and railway violations which took effect on January 1. — VNS