(VOVworld) – People in My Khanh commune, Can Tho city, welcomed the Lunar New Year (Tet) with great joy over the commune’s recognition as a new rural commune. Can Tho city’s Military Command organized Tet activities in My Khanh commune so residents and soldiers could enjoy a warm holiday together.

Soldiers help My Khanh residents build houses (radiovietnam.vn)

During the American war, My Khanh commune, Phong Dien district, was a rally point for soldiers sent to the southern front. Many local families had three or four generations serving in the army, and My Khanh was recognized as a heroic commune. Pham Dieu Linh, Chairwoman of the My Khanh Women’s Union, said: “I was born into a family of soldiers. I’m proud to have been born in a heroic land with a close relationship between the soldiers and the people. When the soldiers came to build houses for the poor, it reminded us of the past. The cheerful Tet atmosphere reflected the unity between the Party, the soldiers, and the people.”

In recent years, visitors to Can Tho often visit My Khanh commune to see its mulberry, star-fruit, longan, and cacao gardens and home-stay with local people. To develop the economy and tourism, My Khanh commune has applied new rural criteria to build a green, clean environment while boosting people’s incomes.

A Fruits Fair during Tet of the soldiers and the residents in Can Tho

The soldiers have worked with My Khanh commune to build 39 houses for the poor, dredge 4 km of canals, upgrade 8 dams, and build an incinerator for the local clinic to dispose medical waste.

Le Thi Nga’s family enjoyed a happy Tet in a new house built with the soldiers’ assistance. Nga said: “My old house had many leaks because the roof was made of bamboo. We thank the administration and soldiers for giving us a nice new house. We were very happy and couldn’t sleep the day we moved into the new house. I bought a vase of flowers to place on the altar to inform the ancestors that we have a new house.”

The Tet celebration of the soldiers and My Khanh residents was full of joy, demonstrating for the younger generation the close relationship between the soldiers and the people. They participated in a contest to make sticky rice cakes, organized a Tet art performance, and cleaned up the environment. Sergeant Pham Chi Hai of the Information Company said: “This is the first time I’ve celebrated Tet with the people. I’m happy to help them upgrade roads and dams. The local people love the soldiers a lot. This Tet had a great significance for me.”

Nguyen Nhu Ngoc is a villager in My Khanh. “The Tet of the army and people included many activities. We are very happy. The soldiers helped us build houses and roads to improve our lives. We love the soldiers very much.”

My Khanh is the only commune in the Mekong river delta that maintains a Tet celebration for soldiers and residents. The new year festival has enhanced the trust and unity between the people and the soldiers.