Mr Manh and Mr Luong expressed their deep gratitude towards the late President and pledged to try their best, together with the entire Party and people, to build a stronger and more prosperous Vietnam as the late President expected when alive.

The two leaders praised the relic’s staff for their efforts to preserve President Ho’s objects, which are invaluable assets of the nation. They said the relic is forever the school for generations of Vietnamese people to learn and follow President Ho’s example.

The same day, Mr Manh, who is also Secretary of the Military Party Committee, paid a Tet visit to the Military Information Command (MIC). He spoke highly of the important role of the information system in the development of the army and asked MIC officials and staff to heighten political conscience and ethics as well as the building capacity to master modern technology and fulfil tasks. He extended best wishes to all MIC officials and staff.

During a January 27 visit to Thai Binh province, a key rice producer in the Red River delta, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh urged the province to develop industry, while maintaining the area for agricultural production to ensure national food security.

He praised the province’s achievements in socio-economic development and Party building, and spoke about its future development orientations. He said that Thai Binh has abundant manpower and that the province should focus on training skilled workers not only for its rural industrialisation and modernisation, but also for other localities and for export. He asked the province to promote Party building and personnel work.

The Party leader and his delegation offered incense at the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial House in Tan Hoa commune, Vu Thu district. He called at a medical centre for invalids in Kien Xuong district, and presented Tet gifts to them.

The leader extended his best wishes for good health and happiness to all people in Thai Binh on the Lunar New Year.