Around 500 local and international students hailing from Hanoi’s University of Social Sciences and Humanity gathered to fold 10,000 paper cranes to pray for Japanese victims struck by recent fatal earthquakes and tsunami.

At the event, the students had an interactive session about lessons learned from natural disasters which often occur to Japan.

Takeji Yoshikawa, director of Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange centre under Japan Foundation received 10,000 paper cranes from the organisers.

The school also raised funds for the victims.

“Through this programme, we would like to send our sympathy to Japanese victims who are suffering from pain and loss caused by recent dreadful quakes and tsunami,” said Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu – head of political department of the university and who is also in charge of managing students.

He added it also contributes to educating students.

They are studiously folding paper cranes

They sing together the Japanese song “9-3” to commemorate the victims

Sign and pray to support the victims

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Paper cranes symbolize peace and hope in Asian culture

The university handed over 10,000 paper cranes to the representative of Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Centre