The eighth television programme Noi vong tay lon (Joining the Great Fold) to raise funds for the poor was broadcast live on Vietnam Television’s VTV3 and VTV4 channels and Ho Chi Minh City Television’s HTV9 channel.

Present at the annual programme which was aired simultaneously from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi included President Nguyen Minh Triet, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Huynh Ngoc Son, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) Vu Trong Kim, Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong, NA Deputy Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien and VFFCC President Huynh Dam.

Addressing the programme, President Triet said that the campaign ‘Day for the Poor’ has brought happiness to many poor families and won the support from all walks of life.

The State President took the occasion to call on organisations, individuals and people nationwide to join hands in helping the poor.

The Fund for the Poor at all levels have raised more than VND 3 trillion since the launch of the campaign. With the assistance of the entire community, more than 900,000 houses were repaired and built for the poor.

The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group led the donors with VND 500 billion, followed by Ho Chi Minh City with VND 300 billion, Hau Giang province, VND 150 billion and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha VND 150 billion.

To the fund, the world vision project also contributed US$15 million; the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, US$4.2 million; the embassy and businesses of the Republic of Korea , US$2.1 million and the Laos embassy, US$500,000.

At the event, a number of works made in response to the campaign “Day for the Poor” were auctioned. At the auction, the ‘Lac Hong’ Cup was sold for VND 5. 2 billion; the gold-plated Cup ‘For the Poor – Joining the Great Fold, for VND 7 billion; and scooter Vespa that President Triet presented to the Vietnam Blinds Association, for VND 1 billion.

The programme mobilised more than VND 4.9 trillion for the poor. (VNA)