Wishing Happy New Year "empty-handed"

(Baonghean) - The Central Secretariat has just issued Document No. 178-CV/T.Ư requesting provincial and city Party committees, Party committees, Party groups, Party committees directly under the Central Committee, and Party committees of central-level public service units to strictly implement the Party and State's policy on practicing thrift, combating waste, and organizing activities well for the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse (2014).

One of the points in the official document that is receiving particular attention from the public is the "Strict prohibition of all forms of giving Tet gifts to superiors." It must be said that this is a policy that is popular and well-received by the people, but at the same time, it has also received considerable concern about the saying, "It's easy to say, but difficult to do."

Everyone knows that wishing and giving gifts during Tet (Lunar New Year) is a beautiful custom of our people that has existed for thousands of years. After a year of hard work, Tet is an occasion for relatives to meet and visit each other, and a small gift to express affection is only right. However, over time, in many cases, these gifts have gradually lost their true meaning. The "amount" of affection in each Tet visit is probably much smaller than the purpose (or even "scheme") of the gift giver. For many years now, wishing and giving Tet gifts has become a fairly common "custom" in working relationships.

Every spring, crowds flock everywhere to meet... their superiors. Some give bottles of wine, others envelopes of money; New Year's gifts suddenly become a measure of the "respect" of subordinates towards their superiors, and between superiors themselves. The value of each gift is directly proportional to the "unspoken messages" of the giver, in which the recipient is sure to feel... indebted to the giver. However, it's hard to resist the allure of New Year's gifts. They both "amplify" the value of the recipient's position and have (sometimes considerable) material value. Therefore, how can one easily "quit" New Year's gifts if they encounter a superior who is not a role model or lacks integrity?

Perhaps now is not the time to discuss who is to blame, but rather to focus on how to address this issue. Admittedly, it's difficult, but not impossible. To give an example, within our own province, we've seen numerous leaders who have "said no" to bribes... There have even been instances where officials used those bribes to help those in greater need. These are signs that not everyone is bad, and they give us confidence that if we are determined, if we implement this not only through mechanisms and inspections but also through exemplary conduct, we will certainly succeed.

It's worth remembering that not long ago, when the Provincial Party Committee's "Directive Seventeen" on prohibiting civil servants from drinking alcohol at lunchtime was first implemented, many doubted its success. Now things are different; it's starting to take effect, and it's receiving support from the majority of officials. Initially, it was a little uncomfortable because it wasn't new, but the benefits it brings are truly positive. Now, it seems everyone enjoys it because there's no need for toasts, no need to drink, no need to get drunk, no need to be pressured... the image of civil servants intoxicated at the office seems to have decreased, and even more happily, it has disappeared in many places. The people trust and have a positive impression of it.

Now, let's talk about New Year's greetings and gifts. Hopefully, the same applies. Some people have wondered, "Should we really offer New Year's greetings empty-handed?" No, not empty-handed, but with affection and sincerity. That might sound a bit strange, but if it exists, it's something that can't be bought with... gifts!

Cherry