Vietnam Women's Union

“0 VND – ride” is an initiative of Ho Chi Minh city Women's Union and the Tan Phu Women's Union. The activity aims to help disadvantaged students, lonely elderlies, low-income workers, and disabled people in Tan Phu district. The program was held on April 25, at Le Van Tam Primary School (Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh city).

Ms. Chung Thuy Tien, President of Tan Phu district Women's Union says: The program includes many activities such as selling basic necessities at 0 VND to 100 people in difficult circumstances, organizing space for reading books, making sand pictures, coloring statues, doing magic tricks, presenting traditional Áo Dài (kind of long dress), free haircut and free buffet for people, etc. The total cost of this program is 150 million Vietnam dong.

Taking part in this program, Dinh Pham Phuong Thuy (born in 2008, Tay Thanh ward, Tan Phu district) is very excited. Phuong Thuy not only can have things for free, but also receives her dream gift of a bicycle. Her mother died of cancer early. Thuy lives with her grandmother and her two siblings. Three children’s lives are tightly attached to the grandmother's noodle selling. So, the dream of a bicycle to go to school is a luxury for a 13-year-old child. "I am very happy to receive this bicycle. From now on, I can ride to school and help my grandmother carry things by bike. I thank you very much," Phuong Thuy said.

Dinh Pham Phuong Thuy is excited to receive the bicycle

Le Nguyen Phuong Uyen, a grade-4 student, Le Van Tam Primary School (Tan Phu District) confides: "This is the first time I have attended a 0 VND - ride. I like the story book booth the most. My family is very poor, so I don't dare to ask my mother for story book buying. Now, I can look for my favorite books here for free."

Tan Phu district has a large number of immigrants with difficulties in life. Therefore, to help them, since 2017, the "Giving Love" model has been established by 11/11 ward women’s unions to promote the spirit of sharing in the community. The model is various in forms such as vegetarian meals, monthly free vegetarian porridge, bread and clothes cabinets, 2000 VND (less than 10 cent) shop, etc. Within today program, the Tan Phu Women's Union launches the model "Love connection" to call for the companionship of the sponsors with difficult people in the area" said Ms. Chung Thuy Tien, President of Tan Phu District Women's Union.

“0 VND – ride” as well as the "Love Connection" models not only help the poor and needy children in time, but are also reliable addresses for benefactors to send their love and sharing for the community and society, spreading the spirit of mutual affection.