More than 5,000 people from agencies and businesses joined a walk to raise funds for the poor in HCM City on November 13, marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and Vietnam’s the “Month for the Poor”.

The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the city’s Fund for the Poor and HCM City Television.

On the occasion, the city’s Fund for the Poor presented 17 charity houses and 37 gifts worth VND500,000 (USD23.9) each to poor households in Cu Chi district. The activity demonstrated the tradition of mutual assistance among Vietnamese people and reflected the spirit of great national unity to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18).

Nguyen Quyet Tam, an official from the Binh Tan district People’s Committee said that the annual event provides an opportunity for civil servants to share experiences, improve their health and join hands to help the less fortunate members of society.