On Son Ca island, Truong Sa district, Khanh Hoa province, flower pots and flags are arranged around the statue of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Some soldiers trim and shape the plants and others clean the ceramic pictures depicting glorious moments in Vietnam’s history. They always have a smile on their face.

Corporal Nguyen Bao Chung said, “We are celebrating our traditional Tet holiday and the success of the 13th National Party Congress. All youth members on Son Ca island are working to complete the decorations as fast as we can and make this place as beautiful as possible. I’m looking forward to the Party’s steady growth and support for young people, so that we will contribute more to national defense and construction toward socialism.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Nhu Tuyen, the political officer of Son Ca island, said each officer and soldier strictly obeys all military principles and keeps himself in high combat readiness. 

“We launched an emulation campaign to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Party’s founding anniversary, and the success of the 13th National Party Congress. We aim to improve our combat capability and vigilance to actively respond to any incidents at sea,” said Tuyen.

Ahead of Tet, Lieutenant General Do Danh Vuong, Political Commissar of the Vietnam Border Guard Command, visited and presented gifts to border guards, policy beneficiaries, and poor families living in border areas in the central region, who have work tirelessly to defend Vietnam’s sovereignty and security and fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, border guards joined local authorities in relief efforts to help victims of natural disasters.

Cap Le Oanh, a resident of Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province, said, “The communal authorities and border guards helped us recover from natural disasters and gave us confectionaries, fruit, and pork for Tet. They also gave us a national flag and a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. I’m really grateful. Every household has the President’s portrait. We worship the President and our ancestors.”  

Border guards in the central region will be on duty around the clock during the Tet holiday.

Lieutenant General Do Vuong noted, “The border guards have delivered aid to every poor family near our station so they will have an enjoyable Tet. We have also taken care of every soldier and officer, particularly those working at COVID-19 checkpoints.”

Kon Tum authorities have given people living in remote, disadvantaged areas food and other necessities to celebrate Tet.

Y Lan of the Xo Dang ethnic minority, a fifth-grader at Dak Nen semi-boarding primary school in Kon Pong district, Kon Tum province, said, “I’m really happy and grateful to have received some warm clothes. In return, I promise to study harder and be more obedient.”

Seven poor families in Ia H’Drai district have been given charitable houses. For people living along Kon Tum’s 300-kilometre border with Laos and Cambodia authorities have organized food-making competitions and free markets, and have handed out scholarships and Tet gifts.