Hanoi race raises public awareness of visually impaired people
About 1,000 runners, including nearly 300 blind people, took part in the race “Chay voi toi – 2gether” (Run with me – Together) in downtown Hanoi on December 2.
About 1,000 runners, including nearly 300 blind people, take part in the race “Chay voi toi – 2gether” (Run with me – Together) in downtown Hanoi on December 2. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – About 1,000 runners, includingnearly 300 blind people, took part in the race “Chay voi toi – 2gether” (Runwith me – Together) in downtown Hanoi on December 2.
The event was held by the Vietnam and Friends (VAF), aVietnamese non-governmental organisation that gathers local and internationalvolunteers to support disadvantaged people in Vietnam and to take care ofenvironmental issues.
The third edition of the race aimed to raise funds for acharitable project namely “Open Road,” the first online library of audio booksfor visually impaired people and its smartphone application. It was also partof a range of activities to raise public awareness of visually impaired people,to encourage confidence in their abilities and promote opportunities for thosewith visual loss in particular and the handicapped in general.
Opening the event, US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J.Kritenbrink said everyone has the right and opportunity to study, work andpursue their dreams and that’s the reason why the US has provided more than 1million USD to support disabled people in Vietnam since 1989.
The event is not only for running with the blind but alsocreates a welcoming environment and eliminates physical and social barriers toenhance public awareness of the importance of equal rights for people withdisabilities, he added.
The runners raced distances of 3.4 km and 5.1 km aroundHoan Kiem lake. Each blind contestant was guided by a sighted runner through arope tied to their wrists so the distance between a visually impaired and asighted was reduced.
A number of activities also took place besides the raceto allow the sighted to experience a life of the blind and understand thembetter, for example, learning Braille and how to use a cane to walk like ablind person and playing chess with the blind. –VNA
Veteran writer Nguyen Nhat Anh’s books in Braille versions will be printed and released soon by Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind in Hanoi to serve its students.
Support service centres for students with disabilities have been set up at the Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogy University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Despite suffering from 90 percent visual impairment, 37-year-old Truong Phuoc Khai of Hau Giang province in the Mekong Delta has a passion for making books.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has made an official request for all payment service providers to facilitate visually impaired people as well as others with disabilities when they want to open a bank account and get a bank card.
The embassy advises Vietnamese citizens travelling in Greece that they should avoid standing close to cliff edges, boat sides, and refrain from going out to sea during storms to prevent unfortunate incidents.
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Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
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According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
About 1,000 runners, including nearly 300 blind people, take part in the race “Chay voi toi – 2gether” (Run with me – Together) in downtown Hanoi on December 2. (Photo: VNA)
