(VNF) – The International Food Festival 2017 was held on December 10 in Hanoi. Beside fostering the friendship between Vietnam and international friends, the programme aimed to promote charitable activities.

Since its debut in 2014, the event has attracted thousands of visitors and successfully raised charitable fund of over US$ 1 billion, contributing to bettering the life of disadvantaged people.

International Food Festival 2017 is held on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN and the success of Vietnam as the host for APEC 2017.

The opening ceremony of the event was attended by Ambassador Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga, Spouse of Deputy PM, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pham Binh Minh, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, and representatives of Embassies, foreign cultural centers, NGOs, departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, localities’ Department of External Affairs and various enterprises.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Nga spoke highly of the International Food Festival’s role in promoting the persity of culture, through the introduction of exotic cuisines and interesting arts performances. The festival brings us a “miniature of the world”, she said.

Nga also emphasized the value of the festival as a place where friendship meets humanity, in particular generosity, since part of the event's purpose is to raise charitable fund.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga speaks at the opening ceremony (photo: Phi Yen)

Representatives of diplomat corps in Hanoi receive Certificate of Appreciation (photo: Phi Yen)

As an inpidual sponsor for the programme, Ambassador Nga took the occasion to extend thank to friends in and out of the country, who have been greatly supporting the programme in the last 4 years.

On the occasion, the organizing board also presented certificate of appreciation to diplomatic corps with outstanding contribution to the previous International Food Festival's charitable fundraising, which are the EU delegation, the Pacific Alliance (represented by the Embassy of Colombia and Mexico), the Embassy of Bulgaria, Italy, China, Singapore, Thailand, the Chamber of Economics and Culture of Taipei.

At the opening ceremony, the organizing board also presented 10 gift packages to members of the Center for the Disabled’s Jobs “For tomorrow” and donated VND 200 million to sponsor the building of Binh Thuan kindergarten, Van Chan district, Yen Bai, a province which was severely damaged by recents floods.

Organizing board presents gifts to member of "For tomorrow" center (photo: Phi Yen)

The organizing board presents VND 200 million to support school building in Yen Bai (photo: Phi Yen)

By 13.30 pm of December 10, the International Food Festival 2017 has received donated money for charitable purpose worth over VND 200 million.

After four seasons, the festival has collected over VND 1 billion, which were used to support shools for students of ethnic minorities, poor women in remote area, orphans and the disabled./.

( Phi Yen )