Following the recent Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has requested that all ministries and local authorities promptly carry out key tasks set for the year.

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The Prime Minister made the request in his February 10 dispatch, in which he asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct localities to ensure food supply after the Tet festival and production of winter-spring crops.

He also activated this year’s forestation plan and promoted the country’s traditional Tet tree-planting activities.

The PM asked the Ministry of Health to take effective measures to prevent diseases that run a high risk of breaking out during the winter-spring period.

In particular, the ministry must try its best to stop an outbreak of the deadly H7N9 strain of the bird flu virus and other epidemic diseases from invading Vietnam.

In addition, the ministry is also required to strengthen food hygiene and safety measures.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs is told to coordinate with local people’s committees to ensure labor forces are available for the manufacturing business, particularly in industrial parks.

The government chief also asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organize festivals during 2014 in a safe, healthy and economical manner.