Supporting others

On the last days of the lunar year, poverty-stricken families and poor students in the two central provinces of Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue were greeted by staff of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

Supporting others

During the visit, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung was on hand to gift a house of gratitude valued at over $20,000 to 94-year-old Vo Thi Buu, wife of former Deputy Minister of Finance Vo Tri Cao, along with numerous equipment and household appliances as well as a savings book worth over $2,070.

This was one of dozens of trips that the delegation took to offer gifts before the upcoming Lunar New Year.

In Quang Tri, the MPI also donated $13,000 to the provincial fund for the poor. The delegation arrived at Huong Hoa and Dakrong, the two poorest border districts of Quang Tri, and granted $5,200 to every fund for the poor in the area.

The delegation also handed over gifts worth $870 to every kindergarten in Huong Hoa district’s Huong Lap commune, and a primary school in Dakrong district’s Ta Long commune. Additionally, two public houses for teachers there with a total value of $52,000, along with some equipment, were also handed over to teachers.

Additional warm gifts were offered to all teachers and pupils in Quang Tri’s school for children with disabilities, and Huong Lap and Ba Nang border guard stations, for families with meritorious services to the revolution and families of invalids.

Meanwhile, in Thua Thien-Hue, the MPI delegation presented 100 gifts valued at over $4,000 to poor households in the resettlement area of Huong So district, and the same amount to the province’s poor fund as well as to poor households in the coastal landslide area of Phu Thuan commune in Hoa Vang district.

Every year at this time, the MPI delegations make sure to spend time on such humane activities. Despite the gestures being of small value, the ministry still hopes that they give a little comfort to the beneficiaries – which is even more important in recent times.

In that spirit, several weeks ago the MPI presented over 3,000 sticks to the Vietnam Association of the Blind, which will help blind people all across the country.

“We appreciate this gift of white canes, which will be given to the blind and help them safely travel on the roads, become more confident, and actively participate more in social activities,” said Dinh Viet Anh, a representative of the association.

This particular initiative, established by the ministry in 2019, has thus far donated well over 10,000 sticks to blind people up and down Vietnam.

“From the bottom of my heart, I would like to share the woes that people with disabilities are struggling with. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the MPI to closely accompany and support such people to further contribute to society, to the prosperous and sustainable development of the country,” said Minister Dung.

In addition to this programme, and in attempts to further improve the social lives of those that are disadvantaged, people with disabilities have been invited to participate in events and initiatives led by the MPI over the last few years.

While safety has been of paramount importance over the last two years, the MPI is hoping to get more events up-and-running once it is safe to do so.

A few years ago, all MPI staff met runner-up of Miss Deaf World Le Thi Thuy Doan, and listened to her share stories about her life and how to overcome burdens. Performances by blind artists and gifts made by disabled people have also become popular with MPI staff over the years. These are the types of events that the ministry wants to continue with in 2022 and beyond.

“These activities urge every MPI officer to put humanity at the centre of development during the making of policies, to leave no vulnerable people behind and enable them to enjoy the achievements of the country’s development,” said Minister Dung.