Present at the meeting were Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan, former Vice State President Nguyen Thi Binh, and representatives from domestic and international organisations and embassies in Hanoi, as well as 327 handicapped people, orphans and patrons from 63 provinces and cities.

Ms Doan appreciated the efforts of the handicapped and orphans and the good deeds of patrons. She said that the Party and State have always cared about the disabled people and orphans through incentive policies to create the best conditions for them to enjoy the society’s achievements and feel self-confident in the community. She also urged businesses to actively get involved in social activities to protect and care for disabled people and orphans, not only by providing financial support but also by recruiting them to help assert them and allow them to do useful work.

The Chairman of the Association in Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans (ASVHO), Vu Dinh Lieu said the meeting aims to honour those who overcome difficulties as well as kind-hearted. Over the past years, with great attention from the Party and State as well as social organizations and individuals, the living conditions of handicapped and orphans have improved significantly, Mr Lieu said.

On the occasion, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the ASVHO presented certificates of merit to outstanding handicapped, orphans and patrons.