Spreading the spirit of 'Compassionate Tet'

The "Compassionate Tet" movement for the year of the Horse 2026 was launched early by the Hai Phong City Red Cross Society, with the goal of 100% of communes, wards, and special zones organizing "Compassionate Tet" activities.

Leaders of the City Red Cross Society and Dinh Vang Group, Tien Phong Youth Plastic Joint Stock Company, presented Tet gifts to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the city during the Year of the Horse. Photo: NGUYEN NGUYEN

In the vibrant atmosphere leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, together with all levels of government, sectors, and society as a whole, the Hai Phong City Red Cross Society is actively implementing humanitarian activities, caring for the lives of the poor and vulnerable so that everyone can enjoy a joyful and warm Spring Festival and Tet holiday. Comrade Bui Manh Phuc, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society and Chairman of the Hai Phong City Red Cross Society, spoke with reporters from Hai Phong Newspaper and Radio and Television. Regarding preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year) and future tasks.

- The "Tet of Compassion" movement is a meaningful annual activity of the Red Cross Society. Could you share some new aspects of the movement this year?

- The Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 takes place as the whole country joyfully celebrates the success of the 14th National Congress of the Party, creating a vibrant atmosphere of emulation and high determination among the entire Party, army, and people. In this context, the task of caring for the poor and vulnerable during Tet (Lunar New Year) continues to be identified by the City Red Cross Society as a key priority, deeply reflecting the nation's tradition of "mutual support and compassion." With this spirit, the "Compassionate Tet" movement for the Year of the Horse 2026 was launched early by the Society, aiming for 100% of communes, wards, and special zones to organize "Compassionate Tet" activities, striving to distribute over 51,000 gift packages to the poor, those in difficult circumstances, and victims of Agent Orange, 2.5 times more than Tet 2025. Each gift package is worth 500,000 VND, with a total estimated value of over 26 billion VND.

With the goal of ensuring no one is left behind during the traditional Lunar New Year, the Association has developed a plan and allocated specific targets to its local branches; it has requested that Party committees and local authorities pay attention to and coordinate with local branches in visiting and giving gifts; and it has organized a "Week of Compassion". The Association also strengthens its efforts to call on agencies, units, businesses, philanthropists, and all sectors of society to join hands with the Association in caring for the poor and vulnerable so they can celebrate the New Year, avoiding duplication in resource mobilization and preventing the omission of beneficiaries.

A notable new feature of this year's "Compassionate Tet" campaign is the organization of two "Compassionate Tet Markets" in the East and West of the city. At each market, it is expected that 250-300 Tet gift packages will be distributed, each worth 500,000 VND or more. People will receive vouchers for free purchases of items such as cakes, tea, coffee, cooking oil, MSG, sugar, and local agricultural products. In addition, people will receive free Tet-related services such as haircuts, photography, calligraphy, participation in folk games, and a communal Tet feast. This is a new, humane approach that allows people not only to receive gifts but also to immerse themselves in the complete and warm atmosphere of Tet.

In response to the movement, during January, many organizations and businesses such as Dinh Vang Company, Tien Phong Plastic Company, Toyoda Gosei Hai Phong, POSCO Vietnam, Aeon Mall Hai Phong Le Chan Shopping Center, the Taiwan Trade Association in Hai Phong, Thien Tam Fund ( Vingroup Group)... donated more than 5,000 Tet gifts, each worth 500,000 VND or more, to people in many communes and wards; donated gifts and facilities worth 75 million VND to the Humanitarian Activities Center (under the Hai Phong Red Cross Society); donated bicycles to students..., demonstrating the social responsibility of the business community towards the city.

Leaders of the City Red Cross Society and Toyoda Gosei Hai Phong Co., Ltd. presented bicycles to students in Hong An ward, Hong Bang district.

- In addition to taking care of Tet celebrations, what other humanitarian activities does the city's Red Cross Society carry out during the early spring season?

- In conjunction with the "Compassionate Tet" movement, the Association, in coordination with the Vietnam Food Bank Network, has just launched a Food Bank at its second location, contributing to spreading the spirit of compassion and sharing in the community; connecting surplus food with people in difficult circumstances, especially during Tet.

At the beginning of Spring, the Association launched the Spring Blood Donation Festival, coordinating with localities and units to organize voluntary blood donation campaigns, striving to have more than 15,000 people register to donate blood and receive more than 12,000 units of blood, contributing to supplementing the blood supply for emergency and treatment work. The Association also deployed volunteer forces on duty before, during, and after Tet at 18 Red Cross first aid points in the city, ready to promptly handle any arising situations and ensure the safety of the people. In addition, the Association coordinated with the education sector and the Youth Union to launch the program "Contributing small amounts of money for great acts of kindness" at schools, raising funds to give gifts at the beginning of Spring to poor students who overcome difficulties and victims of Agent Orange.

- Looking back at 2025, could you summarize the outstanding achievements in the work of the Red Cross Society and the Red Cross movement in the city?

- Amidst the restructuring and streamlining of the two-tiered local government system, the Association proactively stabilized its organization, strengthened its grassroots branches, and maintained smooth operations. The total value of humanitarian activities reached over 102 billion VND, assisting approximately 320,000 people in difficult circumstances. The "Tet of Compassion" campaign continued to be a highlight, providing over 70,000 gifts worth nearly 35 billion VND. The "Humanitarian Journey - Spreading Love" Humanitarian Month mobilized over 15 billion VND, supporting the construction and repair of 45 Red Cross houses, donating over 500 bicycles, over 300 wheelchairs, scholarships, and livelihood support for disadvantaged households.

Responding to the campaign to support the Cuban people, the Association received over 12 billion VND, placing Hai Phong among the localities with the highest fundraising results nationwide. The Association also launched an emergency relief effort of over 1.1 billion VND to support localities damaged by storms and floods. In addition, nearly 200 tons of relief goods worth over 8 billion VND were received, coordinated promptly, and delivered directly to flood victims in Dak Lak province. Notably, the Association mobilized and received over 61,000 units of blood, achieving 101.6% of the target set by the Central Government, contributing to spreading the message "Every drop of blood given saves a life."

Comrade Bui Manh Phuc, Chairman of the City Red Cross Society, presented Tet gifts for the Year of the Horse, sponsored by Dinh Vang Group and Tien Phong Youth Plastic Joint Stock Company, to disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the city.

- In 2026, what key tasks and solutions will the Association focus on to continue spreading humanitarian values?

- The central task is to focus on directing the organization of the first Congress at all levels, bringing the Congress Resolution into life as soon as possible, especially promoting sustainable humanitarian activities, targeting vulnerable groups through livelihood support, building and repairing Red Cross houses, associated with the model "Each organization, individual, one humanitarian address".

The Association will expand the Food Bank at its second facility to proactively secure resources for timely response to natural disasters and emergencies. It will also strongly develop clubs and community groups focused on blood donation, community kitchens, and charitable porridge programs; strengthen the professional volunteer force in social relief, first aid, and blood donation campaigns; establish permanent blood donation points at universities and Association branches; strengthen the living blood bank in the Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi special zones; and coordinate efforts to promote blood donation linked to organ and tissue donation within the community. Simultaneously, the Association will continue to promote digital transformation in management, operations, communication, and the implementation of humanitarian activities; and enhance training in skills and expertise for its staff and volunteers. The Association proposes that relevant authorities and sectors provide appropriate mechanisms and policies to ensure that grassroots Association staff can work with peace of mind and remain committed to the movement in the long term.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), the City Red Cross Society gratefully acknowledges the support of all levels of government, localities, the business community, organizations, and individuals both within and outside the city. The Society hopes to continue receiving the collective support of the community, not only during Tet but throughout the year, so that compassion may spread regularly and sustainably.

Thank you very much, comrade!

THANH HA (compiled)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/lan-toa-tet-nhan-ai-534512.html