Ben Tre, March 7 -- The southern province of Ben Tre began the first stage of its housing construction and repair drive on March 5, in response to a nationwide campaign to eradicate makeshift and dilapidated houses across the country.

The launching ceremony saw the presentation of symbolic funding certificates to 20 families in Thanh Phu district. This includes financial aid for 14 newly-built houses valued at 60 million VND (2,400 USD) each, and six others earmarked for repairs, each costing 30 million VND.

Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Be Muoi stressed that the provincial Party Committee, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee view the effort as a critical and urgent political task....