Vietnam attends ALFS charity bazaar in Tokyo

Princess Hitachi, spouse of Japanese Foreign Minister Toro Noko and other wives of high-ranking Japanese officials attended the event. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, head of the organising board Haruko Komura said the annual event aims to raise funds in support of women and children in ALFS member countries, towards strengthening their friendship and exchange. 

On the occasion, participants displayed handicrafts and traditional cuisines of their countries. 

The Vietnamese Embassy introduced Vietnamese silk, gemstone and silk paintings, pearl products and traditional food to visitors. 

Hoang Thi Minh Ha, spouse of the Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, said ALFS allocated nearly VND200 million (US$8,900) to the embassy’s Women Association to buy breeding cows for poor households and Agent Orange/dioxin victims in the central province of Quang Nam and build water purification systems for two elementary schools in polluted areas in the central province of Ha Tinh. 

This year’s proceeds will continue to be used for children living in disadvantaged areas, she said. 

Ha added that as a major people-to-people diplomatic activity, the event has been held annually under the auspices of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, royal family and many embassies in Tokyo, helping to promote Vietnam’s images and people to international friends. 

ALFS now groups nearly 400 members, mostly spouses of politicians and business leaders, female ambassadors and staff of 25 embassies of Asian-Pacific nations in Tokyo.