Many young people in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have decided to do something different this Christmas as they dedicate their time to bringing the festive atmosphere to the less fortunate.

Local youths and their charitable groups have been conducting a variety of programs to assist homeless people and poor children during this time of the year.

In Ho Chi Minh City, members of a volunteer club named Dem Am, or ‘Warm Night,’ circle around the city every night to offer blankets, soup, and some cash to the homeless and poor laborers.

“We have encountered many homeless people living on the roads and bridges, along with street sweepers or motorbike taxi drivers who were just taking a quick sleep during the night,” said Ngoc Nhu Y, 24, who has been a member of the group for three years.

“I hope our small gifts can keep them warm in this season,” Y continued.

Another charitable team of students at the Banking University HCMC previously organized a program themed ‘Warm Christmas 2017’ for children in unfavorable circumstances in District 1, District 2, and Thu Duc District from December 20 to 24.

The club had held a similar program in Dak Ring Commune in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, providing learning tools, blankets, and other necessities for local children and residents.

‘The Friends’ is the name of another group of volunteers in the southern metropolis.

Hanoi youths raise funds for the poor during the Christmas season. Photo: Tuoi Tre

They organized a two-day Christmas party for 1,000 poor children in Hoa Bac Commune, located in the Central Highlands of Lam Dong.

According to Tran Van Cuong, the leader, the event cost about VND200 million (US$ 8,810), which was funded by 80 members of the group.

A club, named ‘International,’ of students from the RMIT University in Ho Chi Minh City had been preparing for their Christmas charity program for the past month.

They sold Christmas souvenirs and ornaments to raise funds and gave presents to homeless children across the city center on December 23.

“Several members were dressed up as Santa Clauses to deliver the surprises the young kids,” Vu Hien Mai, vice-president of the group, stated.

In Hanoi, it has become quite a tradition for a group of Christian students to raise funds for their charity campaign, themed ‘A Full Bowl of Rice,’ every Christmas.   

They collect and sell scrap while calling for support from local benefactors.

“We want to help the poor and less fortunate,” Quynh Trang, a member, remarked.

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