Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Tâm (in a wheelchair) receives an award for outstanding contributions to volunteer work in 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — A total of 20 collectives and individuals were honoured for their outstanding contributions to volunteer work in 2020 during an awards ceremony held in Hà Nội.

The event was held on Saturday by the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee and the Việt Nam Youth Federation Central Committee.

It was part of activities to mark the 2020 International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (December 5) in Việt Nam and to honour the contributions of local and foreign organisations and volunteers. Organised alongside the Youth Volunteer Day festival, the event also offered chances for participants to meet and share experience in volunteering.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Việt Nam Naomi Kitahara said the theme of this year’s International Volunteer Day is 'Together We Can', and affirmed that the UN will continue to support Việt Nam so that youths can bolster their capacity in volunteer work.

Various activities were arranged during the Youth Volunteer Day festival, such as programmes providing free hair cuts, knitting hats and blankets for students, and a blood donation drive.

First Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee Nguyễn Anh Tuấn spoke highly of volunteers' contributions to the community, stressing they have helped address various challenges in 2020, especially amid the COVID-19 and pandemic and natural disasters.

He voiced his hope that volunteer communities will work together for further and long-term targets in an effort to mobilise collective power, and called on organisations, individuals and donors to continue to support volunteer activities.

Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Tâm, 30, a woman with brittle bone disease, was among 10 individuals honoured at the event.

Over the past 16 years, Tâm has run a free-of-charge class for primary and junior secondary school students in her hometown in the northern province of Nam Định.

Trịnh Xuân Thủy, 27, deputy chairman of the Hà Nội Youth Union for Blood Donation, was also honoured at the event. He has trained more than 3,000 volunteers to join the blood donation campaign. — VNS