Connecting hearts, sharing love

With the support and joint efforts of authorities at all levels, agencies, businesses, benefactors, and charitable individuals, this year’s Humanitarian Month has seen a wide range of meaningful activities implemented to provide timely assistance to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society.

Nguyen Tan Hung, Chairman of the city's Red Cross Society, presents scholarships to disadvantaged students at the launching ceremony of Humanitarian Month 2026. Photo: Nga Son

These activities vividly reflect Vietnam’s long-standing spirit of solidarity and compassion, embodied in the traditions of “mutual support” and “the good leaves protecting the torn ones.” Such acts of kindness have become a source of encouragement, helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people overcome hardships and strive for a better life.

Joining hands for humanitarian work

This year marks the sixth consecutive year of implementing Humanitarian Month. It is also the sixth year that GSB Steel Structure Joint Stock Company, based in Tan Trieu Ward, has accompanied the provincial Red Cross Society, now the Red Cross Society of Dong Nai City, in these humanitarian efforts.

Nguyen Tan Loc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GSB Steel Structure JSC, said that alongside production and business activities, the company has consistently supported the city’s Red Cross Society and local authorities in caring for disadvantaged and vulnerable residents. Every year, the company contributes to relief efforts for people affected by storms and floods and donates gifts to poor households, disadvantaged individuals, and children during holidays and Lunar New Year celebrations.

During this year’s Humanitarian Month alone, the company awarded 30 scholarships worth VND1 million each to students from difficult backgrounds, encouraging them to continue pursuing their studies and improving their lives. “In the coming time, the company will strive to organize one to two charitable activities every month with the hope of helping more disadvantaged and vulnerable people, thereby contributing to social welfare in the city,” Loc said.

In addition to GSB Steel Structure JSC, the city Red Cross Society also received support during Humanitarian Month 2026 from several other businesses, including TKG Taekwang Vina Joint Stock Company, Vedan Vietnam Enterprise Corp., Ltd., M-Thien Phuoc Co., Ltd., C.P. Vietnam Livestock Joint Stock Company, and Sonadezi Corporation. Religious organizations and local philanthropists also actively joined the campaign.

Representative of C.P Vietnam Livestock Joint Stock Company presents gifts and scholarships to disadvantaged students at the launching ceremony of Humanitarian Month 2026. Photo: Nga Son

Huynh Van Hao, 67, from Phuoc Thai Commune, has devoted many years to charitable and humanitarian work. He shared that he and his wife experienced severe hardships in their youth and worked many different jobs to make a living. About 15 years ago, when their lives became more stable, they began helping people in even more difficult circumstances. In recent years, after becoming involved with the local Red Cross organization, the couple has consistently contributed between VND60-70 million annually to humanitarian activities, sometimes even more. During this year’s Humanitarian Month, they donated VND15 million.

Nguyen Tan Hung, Chairman of the city Red Cross Society, affirmed that the support of businesses, religious organizations, and individuals has provided significant resources to the organization, enabling it to fulfill its mission of connecting people, sharing compassion, and spreading positive values throughout the community.

Warmed by compassion

Alongside mobilizing resources from organizations, businesses, and benefactors, Red Cross associations from the city to grassroots levels have organized numerous practical activities to support poor and vulnerable people during Humanitarian Month.

One highlight was the “Humanitarian Market,” organized immediately after the Humanitarian Month launch ceremony. This meaningful initiative provides disadvantaged people with essential goods such as rice, instant noodles, cooking oil, sugar, fish sauce, salt, soy sauce, eggs, and milk through a “zero-cost shopping” model.

According to the city Red Cross Society, since the launch of Humanitarian Month, activities including the Humanitarian Market, free medical examinations and medicine distribution, gift and scholarship donations, livelihood support, and Red Cross house construction have assisted financially struggling and vulnerable residents to the tune of approximately VND1 billion.

At 70 years old, Ly Thi Hoa from Bien Hoa Ward suffers from several chronic illnesses and is no longer able to work. Her husband has been bedridden following a stroke for the past 13 years, while one of their sons suffers from mental illness. Their other children work as laborers and struggle financially, leaving them unable to fully care for their parents. For many years, the elderly couple has relied on the husband’s monthly allowance and support from local organizations and neighbors. Whenever the Humanitarian Market is held, Hoa receives a priority voucher. After one round through the market, she brings home rice, noodles, cooking oil, eggs, milk, fish sauce, salt, and soy sauce, all free of charge.

Looking at the supplies she had just received from the Humanitarian Market, Hoa could not hide her joy and emotion.  “The Humanitarian Market not only supports my family materially, but also makes me feel warmer and more encouraged because of the sincere care and concern from organizations and benefactors. That gives me the strength to overcome difficulties and continue supporting my husband and son,” she said emotionally.

As part of Humanitarian Month 2026, the city Red Cross Society has also coordinated many other meaningful activities, including free health checkups, medical consultations, medicine distribution, and gift-giving for disadvantaged households; scholarships and livelihood assistance for low-income families in Dak O Commune; and visits and gifts for children at the Dong Nai City Center for Supporting Inclusive Education Development. In addition, the city Red Cross Society coordinated the handover of two Red Cross houses in Lam Dong Province.

Alongside city-level programs, grassroots Red Cross organizations and socio-political groups have also organized various meaningful activities in response to Humanitarian Month, including livelihood support, gifts, scholarships, and housing assistance for poor and vulnerable residents. These efforts have helped ease hardships for those in need while reaffirming the important role of humanitarian work in building a compassionate, united, and sustainably developed community.

By Nga Son – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho