(VOVworld)- President Truong Tan Sang on Monday beat the drum to kick off the Tree Planting Festival 2016 in memory of late President Ho Chi Minh. The launch ceremony was held in Hoang Khai commune, Yen Son district, Tuyen Quang.

President Truong Tan Sang launches tree planting festival in Tuyen Quang

Speaking at the ceremony, President Truong Tan Sang hailed the Tree Planting Festival as a fine Vietnamese tradition on the first days of the Lunar New Year, contributing to environmental protection and socio-economic development. In his address, President Sang said: “I call on local authorities and residents to join hands in the tree planting campaign and develop a better awareness of forest protection and deforestation prevention. Following President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching on planting trees, we can contribute to enhancing socio-economic development, reducing poverty, improving people’s lives and protecting the environment”.