Love and sharing

On this year’s International Day of Happiness March 20, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held various meaningful activities; particularly to encourage people in families to express more love for one another.

According to Mr. Le The Hung, Head of Family Lifestyle Construction Division, on responding to the day, the program has been aiming for topics and messages on special holidays and events.

Family festival is held in Phu Giao District with plenty of activities. Photo: Q. Nhu.

Hung added that in June 2012 the United Nations chose March 20 as International Day of Happiness to gain commitment of 193 members including Vietnam by their utmost efforts to improve live and society of equality, sustainable development, and happiness to all.

The day was coined in by Bhutan – a small kingdom in the depth of Himalayas, where happiness index was considered highest in accordance with health, spiritual life, education, environment, management quality and living standards of local people. March 20 is also a special day when the Sun passes the equator, making the length of day and night to be the same – the symbol of universe equality and harmony.

Thus, March 20 bears a message of balance and harmony to bring up happiness. The first International Day of Happiness was on March 20, 2013 holding the message of “Action for happiness”

In Binh Duong Province, the major activities were held across districts, towns, and Thu Dau Mot City together with policies and laws of the Party and State implemented to build up modern families of happiness. Good models of people and actions are stated regarding the building up families and communities of happiness. Domestic violence actions and expressions, and breaches of laws on family should be criticized individuals, organizations, and communities are encouraged to implement active activities to bring up happiness to their relatives, families, and communities.

In fact, International Day of Happiness is not widely known; thus, information dissemination should be improved in forms of mass media and banderoles of the day across organizations, schools, major streets, public places and places of high population. Binh Duong Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also initiated a week of happiness from March 16 to 22 in 2015.

Local agencies and organizations, based on their particular situation, should select activity forms and call upon the public to organize the week of happiness in attachment with major holidays in March including the celebration of 40^th year of Southern Vietnam liberation and nation unification. The festive days of happiness are also organized by celebration of model elder couples with meetings and contributions to nation unification, building, and protection. Exhibition, music gala, and cultural, art, sports and tourism activities are held.

In coordination with departments and unions, local people’s committees will report on the results of International Day of Happiness 2015 organized across their localities.

Reported by Quynh Nhu – Translated by Vi Bao