Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has instructed the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to provide 12,416 tons of rice from the national reserves ahead of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Allocating rice from the national reserves for local people ahead of Tet is a meaningful act that demonstrates the spirit of a good leaf covers torn leaves. Source: MoF

The move came in response to request from 17 provinces and cities, including those in the central region that were severely impacted by recent natural disasters. The rice will be provided to 707,535 people when the country’s largest festive period getting near.

Vice General Director of the MoF’s General Department of State Reserves Pham Vu Anh said the agency is delivering rice to localities under the instruction of the prime minister.

Quang Binh province is among those that would receive the largest amount of rice with 2,156 tons  for 75,174 people.

“Allocating rice from the national reserves for local people ahead of Tet is a meaningful act that demonstrates the spirit of 'a good leaf covers torn leaves',” said Mr. Vu Anh, saying the government hopes to share difficulties with the poor or vulnerable people living in remote areas and affected by the natural disasters.

“The aid is expected to partially ease of their hardship and ensure everyone to enjoy a happy and warm Tet holiday,” he suggested.

In 2020, the General Department of State Reserves handed over a total of 132,100 tons of rice worth VND1.41 trillion (US$61 million), up 20,000 tons compared to the previous year.