The top legislator made the statement on January 3 during her visits to families of Tran Thi Dam - a widow of the war martyr Vo Van Yen, war veterans Nguyen Van Sau and Nguyen Thi Tau in Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province ahead of the Tet (lunar New Year) festival.

She emphasised that the Party and State have adopted preferential policies on caring for national contributors, asking Ben Tre provincial authorities to swiftly implement the policies in order to ensure comfortable living conditions for the targeted group in the locality.

She also took the occasion to extend her best wishes to the guests for a warm and happy Tet festival.

During her stay in Ben Tre, the NA Chairwoman joined local authorities in presenting nearly 4,000 Tet gifts to poor children, low-income households, and Agent Orange/ Dioxin victims in the province. The gifts, worth VND2.8 billion (US$123,000) in total, were sponsored by the Vietnam Red Cross Society and philanthropic businesses nationwide.

The same day, Politburo member and Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan visited and delivered 100 Tet gifts to disadvantaged households in An Truong commune, Cang Long district, Tra Vinh province.

He also attended the inauguration ceremonies of a VND9 billion (US$395,000) bridge in An Truong commune, and a ten-classroom project at Nhi Long Phu Secondary School in Cang Long district.