This information was released on February 4 in a report presented at the Government’s monthly meeting to review January, presided over by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

According to the report, organizations and agencies at all levels provided families of social policy beneficiaries, people in flood-hit areas, poor people, elderly people, and orphans with VND2,200 billion and 22,800 tonnes of rice to help them enjoy a happy holiday.

Another positive sign in January was the 1 percent increase of the consumer price index, the lowest figure recorded during Tet in ten years.

However, damaging cold in the first month of 2012 negatively affected agricultural production in the northern region while small- and medium-sized businesses are still facing difficulties as a result of both falling consumer demand and high interest rates.

Meanwhile, traffic accidents, alcohol poisoning, and the return of the bird flu epidemic are other problems currently confronting the country.