Hanoi (VNA) - During the past 10 days, activities have been held nationwide in response to the campaign on tree planting and showing gratitud𓂃e to late President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnamese people have a special annual tree planting festival, which highlights the country’s traditional custom initiated by President Ho Chi Minh in the spring of 1960, in the hope of greening up the country. From then on, when spring and Lunar New Year (Tet) festival draw near, ministries, sectors, localities, agencies, organisations and people respond to the tree planting campaign, turning the festival into the nation’s annual custom and reducing erosion and floods. Growing more trees generates huge potential of wealth for every family and society. For urban areas and industrial parks, trees help create beautiful landscapes, reduce environmental pollution and keep the air clean for sustainable development. The event holds great meaning as the country is moving towards the 50th year of the implementation of President Ho Chi Minh’s testament, therefore, the popularisation of tree planting has become a revolutionary movement of the whole nation.

[Party𒀰, State leader launches Tet tree planting festival]

In that spirit, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong launched the 2019 Lunar New Year (Tet) Tree Planting Festival in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai on February 10 (the sixth day of the Year of the Pig). Addressing the event, he recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s article on the Tet tree planting festival, which was published in the Nhan dan (People) newspaper nearly 60 years ago (November 28, 1959). He analysed the significance and benefits of tree planting and afforestation for the entire nation, families and each citizen. President Ho Chi Minh pointed out that the work does not require huge expenses, but brings great benefits. It is a race in the long term but also a mild one that all people, from senior citizens to children, can take part in, he said. From then on, the Tet Tree Planting Festival has brought benefits to the country and become a traditional custom of Vietnamese people whenever spring and new year approach. The Party and State leader said tree plantation has played an important role in preventing uncontrolled deforestation, exploitation and flooding. Planting more trees will generate huge potential of wealth for every family and society. For urban areas and industrial parks, trees help create beautiful landscapes, reduce environmental pollution and keep the air clean, he stated, adding that tree plantation is an essential task. On the occasion, the leader called upon the entire Party, army and people to engage in growing trees and forests as well as taking actions against deforestation and exploitation as part of efforts to protect the environment. Speaking at a similar event in Luong Son district of the north western province of Hoa Binh on February 13, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan noted the significance to the Tet Tree Planting Festival. She said that after 60 years, tree planting has become more significant in protecting the environment and natural resources, especially in the context that climate change is a formidable challenge to human beings in the 21st century, and increasing natural disasters and extreme weather phenomena that have left severe consequences. Growing more trees will help mitigate the ravages of disasters, prevent erosion, reduce floods and improve the living environment. The NA Chairwoman underlined the vision of President Ho Chi Minh as the Tet Tree Planting festival does not require huge expenses, but brings about great benefits. Citizens strive for a green living environment and are subscribed to a policy of “not exchanging the environment for economic development,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a ceremony in Bac Hong commune, Dong Anh district of Hanoi. Citing a poem of President Ho Chi Minh on the Tet Tree Planting Festival, PM Phuc said as this year marks the 50th year of implementing President Ho Chi Minh’s testament, the popularisation of tree planting has become a revolutionary movement of all localities. He noted that the Government is working with localities nationwide to bolster forest growing, development and protection, aiming to raise forest coverage to at least 42 percent by 2020. Vietnam also aims to become the world’s leading hub in wooden and timber product processing and export, while shutting down natural forests and not using illegal wood. Similar activities were also held in various localities across the country, including Hanoi, Phu Tho, Ha Tinh, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Lang Son and Thua Thien-Hue in response to the campaign.-VNA