Corruption prevention and thrift practice must be done at the same time. It would be useless if a nation or a community successfully fight against embezzlement and corruption and build a contingent of honest and incorruptible officials when many people care nothing about wasting public money.

Reality has shown that while most people are economical, others are very careless about using public money and property. In many agencies, not a few staff ignore the manager’s call for thrift practice, and still use the public phone, electricity and water with impunity.

Economical efforts in the community will become futile if one person forgets to switch off the light, fan or air conditioner before going home.

Waste of public property remains in all government offices. Heavy losses have been made from using public land and purchasing public property including office supplies, and expenses. Wastefulness has taken place in the family too. In many families, parents are tightening their belts while their children indulge in dancing and drinking, spending tens of millions of Dong at a time.

Waste of public and private property has impoverished the country and makes our people lag behind others. Indicators to assess the civilization of a country are many, including those to evaluate the people’s sense of consumption in a scientific manner.

Challenges remain in the struggle against corruption and wastefulness. It is very necessary to educate people of all ages and from all social sectors of practising thrift. Appropriate methods should be used.

Education should be provided and specific rules should be worked out for government officials and staff in saving public property including office equipment. Rural and mountainous people should be educated to protect forest and water resources and logically use the land, seedlings and stock-breeders. Young people must learn the quality and morality of an exemplary citizen and be trained to practice thrift in their daily lives. Meanwhile, senior citizens should set a good example of their frugal lifestyle and hand over thrift practicing experiences to their children and grand children.