To make Tet gifts a cultural beauty

Tet gifts, whether big or small, are the heart of the giver, in lieu of thanks for giving birth and raising parents, grandparents, or gratitude to those who have helped in difficult times, or showing concern for loved ones.

At this time, the gift shows the heart and sincerity of an individual or group to everyone, also helps to connect human feelings and connect the community together.

Therefore, it is not too much to say that this is a beautiful custom that shows love and attachment between relatives, friends, colleagues as well as social relationships. Over time, it has become a part of Tet.

From a social perspective, Tet gifts also help to strengthen relationships and show respect. Not only on Tet, in daily life, when visiting someone's house, we bring a small gift bag, showing our feelings to the host, which is also a beautiful trait in communication and behavior.

Tet gift basket. Photo: SC

However, it must be said that, in today's context, with the development of the market economy , with material interests dominating work and social relationships, many times that good custom is distorted, exploited to create a cover for bribery and "kickback" behavior.

It will be even more dangerous when Tet gifts, with great value, are used as a tool to appease, condone, or cover up wrongdoings at work or dishonest business; to bribe, ask for favors, repay favors, or reserve a position to be promoted, supported, or to avoid being made difficult or criticized by superiors on a daily basis; to trade reputation, profit, and seek personal gain.

To combat and prevent distortions in the giving of Tet gifts, in recent years, near Tet, the Central Government has issued Directives related to giving and receiving Tet gifts.

This shows that the Central Committee has identified this as an extremely important, even a serious issue. Because it contains many potential risks leading to negativity, corruption, bribery, which can lead to moral degradation, lifestyle, and political ideology degradation.

As the Lunar New Year of At Ty approaches, the Central Party Secretariat issued Directive No. 40-CT/TW dated December 11, 2024 on organizing the Lunar New Year of At Ty in 2025. The Directive clearly states: It is strictly forbidden to give or give Tet gifts to leaders at all levels in any form.

In our province, on December 23, 2024, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 1519-CV/TU on implementing Directive No. 40-CT/TW, dated December 11, 2024 of the Central Party Secretariat on organizing the Lunar New Year 2025.

In the directive document, the Provincial Party Committee emphasized not to organize visits and New Year greetings to superiors and leaders at all levels; not to organize provincial delegations to visit and wish New Year greetings to Party committees and authorities of districts and cities; strictly implement the policy of prohibiting giving and receiving New Year gifts to leaders at all levels in any form.

Then, on December 27, 2024, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Tuan signed and issued Directive No. 18/CT-UBND on strengthening measures to ensure a joyful, healthy, safe and economical Lunar New Year 2025. The Directive also strictly prohibits giving or presenting Tet gifts to leaders at all levels in any form.

There are also opinions and viewpoints that it is very difficult to check and monitor the implementation in practice. But personally, I think that although it cannot be completely stopped, with the strong direction of the Central and the province, there has clearly been a change.

The Tet gift market is rich. Photo: SC

I am more confident that the majority of cadres and party members have thoroughly grasped and are highly aware of the need to strictly implement the Directive of the Central Party Secretariat, the directive document of the Provincial Party Committee, and the Directive of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. From there, there is high determination and specific actions to comply.

Of course, to completely end the distortions, bring gift giving during Tet back to its true value, with the meaning of honoring, connecting, and creating good relationships in society, it still requires the example of cadres, party members, and leaders at all levels.

This example is very important, because after all, giving Tet gifts of high value, bribery, and “kickback” only targets a certain group of people. Once leaders and party members set an example, resolutely refusing to accept large-value gifts or gifts that are meant as “cover”, it will have a spreading effect, encouraging everyone to follow suit.

In particular, when giving Tet gifts, instead of turning it into a cover for wrongdoings, instead of taking advantage of it to bribe and receive bribes, let the gift truly represent the nature of a beautiful Tet custom.

The cost of giving Tet gifts can be used to promote the tradition of great solidarity and the spirit of "mutual love and support" of the nation through contributing to the effective implementation of social security and welfare policies, sustainable poverty reduction programs, eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses; implementing activities to care for the material and spiritual lives of the people, ensuring that every household and every person has the conditions to enjoy spring and celebrate Tet.

Or to organize well the visit and New Year greetings to veteran revolutionary cadres, heroic Vietnamese mothers, war invalids, sick soldiers, families of martyrs, families with meritorious services to the country, intellectuals, artists, and prestigious people among ethnic minorities.

At that time, giving Tet gifts will truly be a cultural beauty as it is!

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/de-tang-qua-tet-thanh-net-dep-van-hoa-240205.html