Nearly 300 participants joined a friendship cycling journey on December 11 in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District to promote the use of green vehicles for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Participants partake in the friendship cycling event hosted by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations on December 11. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The event was co-hosted by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO), the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, and local authorities.

Participants would ride around the streets of Hoan Kiem District and see famous sites, including the monument Determined to Brave Death for the Survival of the Fatherland.

Chairwoman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Lan Huong said that Hanoi authorities hope to raise public awareness about preserving the environment and encourage the use of public transport and green vehicles to develop a green, civilized city.

The friendship cycling event aims to promote the image of Hanoi, the city of peace and civilization, and create the brand of Hoan Kiem District as an area of dynamic, creativity, elegance, safety, and friendliness, she said.

"All of the actions will facilitate Hanoi to conserve the name of "the City for Peace" and continue to write the capital city's thousand-year history," she said.

Speaking at the event, Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Tatiana Pugh Moreno highly appreciated the idea of the friendship cycling event.

She said that the Venezuelan Embassy and other international organizations would tighten their partnerships with the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations to develop a friendly, peaceful, collaborative, and prosperous international community.

Lao student Koungmany Phatthanaphone told Vietnam News Agency that she is excited to be a part of the event and that Lao students love the scenes and people of Hanoi.

She said the friendship cycling event is an opportunity for her and her friends to partake in and meet local and international friends in Hanoi.

The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations presented bicycles to five underprivileged students at the event. The meaningful gifts motivate the students to continue their studies and become good citizens.