Visitors to the Vietnamese pavilion at the 42nd ALFS charity bazaar in Tokyo (Photo: VNA)Tokyo (VNA) – The VietnameseEmbassy in Japan joined the 42nd charity bazaar hosted by the Asia-PacificLadies Friendship Society (ALFS) in Tokyo on April 18.
Princess Hitachi, spouse ofJapanese Foreign Minister Toro Noko and other wives of high-ranking Japaneseofficials attended the event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony,head of the organising board Haruko Komura said the annual event aims to raisefunds in support of women and children in ALFS member countries, towardsstrengthening their friendship and exchange.
On the occasion, participantsdisplayed handicrafts and traditional cuisines of their countries.
The Vietnamese Embassy introducedVietnamese silk, gemstone and silk paintings, pearl products and traditionalfood to visitors.
Hoang Thi Minh Ha, spouse of the VietnameseAmbassador to Japan, said ALFS allocated nearly 200 million VND (8,900 USD) tothe embassy’s Women Association to buy breeding cows for poor households andAgent Orange/dioxin victims in the central province of Quang Nam and buildwater purification systems for two elementary schools in polluted areas in thecentral province of Ha Tinh.
This year’s proceeds willcontinue to be used for children living in disadvantaged areas, she said.
Ha added that as a majorpeople-to-people diplomatic activity, the event has been held annually underthe auspices of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, royal family and many embassiesin Tokyo, helping to promote Vietnam’s images and people to internationalfriends.
ALFS now groups nearly 400members, mostly spouses of politicians and business leaders, female ambassadorsand staff of 25 embassies of Asian-Pacific nations in Tokyo.-VNA
VNA
