(VOVworld)-Vietnamese top leaders have paid visits to scores of localities on the occasion of the ongoing Tet or the traditional Lunar New Year Festival. Welcoming Tet with Hanoi authorities on Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong praised the achievements Hanoi has recorded over the past year and highlighted the great potential of the capital city. He called on local authorities to take the lead in Party building and rectification and administrative reform, adding that Hanoi should do its utmost to fulfil the set socio-economic targets to maintain its status as a major economic hub of Vietnam. The Party chief also offered incense at the monument dedicated to King Ly Thai To, who moved Vietnam’s capital from Ninh Binh province to Hanoi in the 11^th century.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong offers incense at the Ly Thai To monument on January 28

In an interview with Voice of Vietnam, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong underlined numerous opportunities and challenges in 2017, noting that Vietnam has a lot to do, including maintaining peace and stability for national development. This endeavor, he said, requires a strong economy, improved living conditions, and people’s trust in the Party and State leadership. Vietnam must resolutely safeguard national independence, sovereignty while strengthening defense, security and diplomacy to drum up international support, Mr. Trong emphasized. 

On New Year’s Eve, State President Tran Dai Quang extended New Year greetings to Hanoi administrators and people, stressing his confidence that the capital city will accomplish all missisons assigned by the Party and State. Earlier, the President visited and presented gifts to patients under treatment at St. Paul hospital in Hanoi.

President Tran Dai Quang visits patients at St. Paul hospital on January 27

During a Tet visit to the central coastal city of Da Nang on Saturday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged local authorities and people to turn Da Nang into a smart and modern city.

“The Party, State and Government firmly believe that Da Nang has the resolve and potential to become a well-known city that can compete with other cities worldwide”, Mr. Phuc said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc extends New Year greetings to Da Nang officials

The Prime Minister emphasized that hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November will be an excellent opportunity for Da Nang to promote its image to the outside world.