Ensuring security for Tet

In a directive sent last week, he asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to closely monitor the market demand and supply situation and see that prices are stable nation-wide.

The ministry should also work to have products and services of good quality at reasonable prices are delivered to consumers, especially those living in disadvantaged areas.

He said the ministry should prevent counterfeit and low-quality goods without clear origins from being sold in the market, and strictly punish those who speculate on products and cheat customers to earn illegal profits.

The Ministry of Finance, meanwhile, has to control market prices so that they remain stabile before and after Tet. It should also exert pressure on transportation companies to bring their prices in line with the decrease in fuel rates, the directive said.

Working ATMs

The Prime Minister has also requested the State Bank of Vietnam to ensure that cash supply is sufficient for the economy before and after Tet; ATM machines work properly; and workers get paid before the festival.

The central bank should also stabilise the foreign exchange and gold rates, increase inspections of currency and gold trading businesses, and punish individuals and organisations violating the law, he said.

The directive requires the Ministry of Transport to ensure that there are sufficient vehicles for people to travel and enjoy Tet holidays with their families, especially those in remote and disadvantaged areas, including those inhabited by ethnic minority communities.

It should also implement plans to keep unsafe and substandard vehicles off the roads, ask transport companies to publicize their rates and deliver tickets directly to passengers.

It asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure that the agriculture sector continues production to meet the market demand during the Tet holidays, and to help farmers protect plants and livestock during cold weather conditions.

The Ministry of Public Security and its local agencies should increase patrols at important sites including including bus stations and crackdown on crime and criminal groups to ensure security and safety during Tet, the directive said.

The ministry should find and punish those who produce, trade and use illegal weapons and explosives, warn people about fire and explosion hazards around important and crowded places such as factories, apartment buildings, and be prepared to rescue people from disasters, it said.

The Prime Minister has also requested cities and provinces in the central region to encourage enterprises to support poor residents, policy beneficiaries, and residents of remote and disadvantaged areas with food and goods during the festival.