The 5th annual charity walk Turkey Dash will be held this weekend in Ho Chi Minh City with the participation of 5,000 people, the organizers said in a press release this week.

Under the guidance of the Ho Chi Minh City Sponsoring Association for Poor Patients, Turkey Dash has raised funds to support 319 children with a cleft palate through the international medical charity Operation Smile during the past four years.

According to the organizers, about 1 in 500 babies is born with a cleft lip and face defects in Vietnam.

This year, Turkey Dash is expected to see 5,000 people joining the walk at 3:30 pm on November 19 at Tan Trao, Phu My Hung in District 7 to bring smiles to 300 children with a cleft palate.

The 2017 Turkey Dash organizers said they would have a number of personalities become their ambassadors of kindness, including famous singers Hong Nhung and Duc Tuan, actor Hua Vi Van, emcees Tung Leo, Quoc Binh and Anh Quan, DJ Wang Tran, director Thanh Nhan, and choreographer John Huy Tran.

They have also received support from more than fifty other celebrities.

Application forms and more information can be found at www.turkeydash.com.

The 4th Turkey Dash grants more than VND659 million (US$29,000) to Operation Smile. Photo: The organizers

Artists pose as they joined the Turkey Dash 2016. Photo: The organizers

Choreographer John Huy Tran (C) cheers up the Turkey Dash 2016. Photo: The organizers

People walk in the Turkey Dash 2016. Photo: The organizers