Ninh Binh (VNA) – ꦍParty General Secretary To Lam attended the launch of the 2025 spring tree planting festival in the northern province of Ninh Binh on January 31 morning, the third day of the Lunar New Year.

In his speech, General Secretary Lam drew back to a moment in history when President Ho Chi Minh, under the pen name Tran Luc, penned the article "Tet trong cay" (Tree Planting Festival) for the Nhan Dan (People) newspaper on November 28, 1959. In this piece, he called on every citizen, family, mass organisation, and locality to actively engage in tree planting and forest cultivation, highlighting their profound significance and practical benefits. His appeal sparked a nationwide movement, enthusiastically embraced by people from all walks of life. The Lunar New Year 1960 marked the first nationwide response to his call, and since then, the festival has become an annual tradition celebrated by the entire Party, people, and army. More than just a meaningful cultural practice, it is a concrete and practical action reflecting Vietnam’s strong commitment to the international community and its national strategy on climate change, toward a greener planet and the country’s rapid and sustainable development, the Party leader said. He urged Ninh Binh to set an exemplary standard for green, harmonious, and sustainable growth, advocating for a seamless integration of socio-economic development with the preservation of cultural heritage, environmental protection, and the conservation of natural landscapes. In a world increasingly driven by technology, he also underscored the importance of leveraging sci-tech advancements, fostering innovation, and accelerating digital and green transformation. Ministries and agencies, specifically the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, were asked to strengthen coordination and supervision to ensure the effective tree planting movement across localities. Earlier the same day, Lam and his delegation attended the inauguration of Le Duan street and Van river bridge in Hoa Lu city, Ninh Bình province. These landmark projects celebrate the 23rd provincial Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term. Le Duan Street, a key arterial route, links the ancient capital of Hoa Lu with the breathtaking Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and the eastern gateway of the city. This thoroughfare not only facilitates seamless connectivity with the north-south expressway but also paves the way for urban expansion in southern Hoa Lu and the province's overall socio-economic development. Spanning 3km and featuring six lanes, Le Duan street commenced construction in June 2022. The Van river bridge, designed to complement the street's structure, stretches 65m and began construction in March 2023. With a total investment of 386 billion VND (approximately 15.44 million USD), these projects are now fully completed and ready for operation./.