In Hanoi, the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) co-ordinated with the Hanoi People's Committee on June 1 to launch the 2013 Action Month for Children with the theme 'Creating equal opportunities for needy and ethnic minority children'.
Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and MOLISA Minister Pham Thi Hai Chuyen attended the launching ceremony, as well as delegates from local authorities, and businesses and 600 children representing over 25 million children across the country.
Addressing the ceremony, Vice President Doan said that the education and care of children are essential for the country’s development. This year’s action month for children aims to create equal opportunities for disadvantaged children to develop their potential and raise community awareness of children’s needs. She also asked ministries, industries and sectors to join hands to resolve issues related to child abuse, exploitation, malnutrition, trafficking and other crimes.
On the occasion, domestic and foreign businesses donated nearly VND10 billion (US$480,000) to the National Fund for Vietnamese Children to carry out projects for disabled and needy children. The National Fund for Vietnamese Children granted VND1 billion (US$48,000) to the Hanoi Fund for Children to repair schools, upgrade entertainment areas and present gifts to needy children.
Also in Hanoi, the Gia Lam district People's Committee, in co-ordination with the International Eye Hospital, provided free eye check-ups and presented gifts to 200 underprivileged children in the district.
*Hundreds of children in Ho Chi Minh City took part in 'Summer Activities' and 'Childhood Festive Day' on June 1, including film shows and activities related to health care, reading books, and visits to historical sites. Four hundred gifts worth VND200 each were also presented to disadvantaged children at the event.
A health care festival for children was held in the city on the same day with the attendance of 5,000 children. The children and their parents learned about good health care practices and preventing dangerous diseases, while children received free health check-ups and could join in participatory games.
* Thua Thien - Hue province also launched the 2013 Action Month for Children. The provincial Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs granted 70 scholarships to outstanding poor pupils and students in Phu Loc district and presented 100 lifebuoys to children living near the district's lagoon. Other entertaining activities were also held for nearly 300 children being treated at the Hue Central Hospital.
* In Tam Ky city, Quang Nam province, a municipal Children’s House was inaugurated to mark the International Children's Day. The house is located on 5,480 square metres of land in the city and was invested with over VND50 billion (US$2.3 million). It is intended to be a place for children to gather and join in sports and cultural activities.
* Thousands of children in other provinces and cities, including Can Tho and Binh Thuan, also participated in various festive activities to celebrate Children's Day.
