The seminar was jointly held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, UNICEF and Lien Aid, a non-governmental organisation of Singapore.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dao Xuan Hoc said the national rural safe water and environmental sanitation programme could not have been implemented unless people’s behaviour and awareness changed.

After one year of information promotion with goodwill ambassador, comedian Xuan Bac, the programme has helped change rural people’s behaviour, awareness and habits and considerably improved the community’s environmental sanitation. It also encouraged agencies and organisations to become involved in safe water, personal hygiene and environmental sanitation issues.

Chief Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund in Vietnam Lotta Sylwander highlighted the wholehearted role of Xuan Bac as rural water and environmental sanitation goodwill ambassador.

The effective cooperation among Government agencies, UN bodies and donors has created an impetus in raising people’s awareness and changing their behaviour, she said.

She pledged to continue supporting the programme so all rural people, particularly children, can access safe water and sanitation and enjoy a healthy life.