The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) of Hanoi delivered 270 donation packages totaling more than VND229 million (US$10,000) to pandemic-affected foreigners residing in the capital city, on the occasion of the National Day (September 2).

In the framework of the program, Hanoi’s authorities and the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations on September 4 presented gifts to 25 foreign students studying at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture in Gia Lam District.

The foreign students are from different countries, including Laos, Mozambique, Angola, Japan, and Cambodia.

Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi Nguyen Lan Huong presents gifts to pandemic-affected foreigners. Photo: Nguyen Van Thang/VNA

Each donation included VND500,000 (US$22) in cash and other necessary items such as rice, cooking oil, cookies, fish sauce, face masks, and antiseptic water, worth a total of VND350,000 (US$15.38). The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Gia Lam District also supported US$22 for each donation.

Chairwoman of the city’s Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Lan Huong said that supporting foreign students in Hanoi would help them feel secure and join local residents in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

The gifts are small in value, but they show local people’s affection for foreign students and international friends, Huong added.

She encouraged foreigners residing in Hanoi to abide by the measures issued by the city’s authorities to combat the coronavirus and take care of themselves.

Huong said that with the determination of the entire political system, the consensus of local residents, and support from international friends, Hanoi would soon control the pandemic and return to normal.

Borey Koemseang, a Cambodian, said that with love and care from local residents, foreign students at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture had received much valuable encouragement and support.

Foreign students promised to excel in their studies and contribute to the good relationships between Vietnam and other countries.

Earlier, from September 1 to 3, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and the Union of Friendship Organizations of Hanoi presented gifts to over 70 pandemic-hit foreigners in two inner districts of Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho.

More gifts will be presented to pandemic-affected foreigners in the city in the time ahead.