National volunteer festival 2018 launched

At the event (Source: VNA) 

Speaking at the event, permanent Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) Nguyen Anh Tuan said the event aims to honour efforts of domestic and foreign voluntary organisations and individuals, thus contributing to socio-economic development. 

It also offers participants a chance to meet and share experience in the field, he said, hailing creative models to bring practical results to the community. 

The day attracted 2,000 domestic and foreign volunteers with diverse activities such as the opening ceremony, a walking event gathering 1,500 people to popularise International Volunteer Day, and fundraising in support of ethnic minority students in the northern mountainous region. 

On the occasion, the HCMCYU Central Committee and the United Nations Volunteers Programme presented the National Volunteer Awards 2018 to eight collectives and 10 individuals who made outstanding dedication to voluntary work. 

As many as 20 clubs and volunteer groups were also honoured with certificates of merit. 

Thirty gifts worth 150 million VND (6,500 USD) were presented to 30 poor ethnic minority students from the northern mountainous provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Ha Giang, Lao Cai and Cao Bang. 

A blood donation event at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, music performances and gift-giving to poor patients at Viet Duc Hospital, and walking to raise funds for poor ethnic students were also held

A photo exhibition on volunteer moments and stalls introducing voluntary activities were launched./.

VNA