(VNF) - On the occasion of its 68^th anniversary (November 17, 1950 - 2018), a delegation of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) led by its Vice President Bui Khac Son held a visit to the founding place of Vietnam’s Committee for World Peace Protection – the predecessor of the VUFO – in Diem Mac commune, Dinh Hoa district, northern Thai Nguyen province.

VUFO’s delegation offers incense to President Ho Chi Minh at the ATK Dinh Hoa of Thai Nguyen Province. (Photo: Trong Sang/VNF)

At the first stop, the delegation arrived at President Ho Chi Minh's Memorial House at the Dinh Hoa Historical Monument Safety Zone (ATK Dinh Hoa).

In the holy atmosphere at the Temple of Uncle Ho - ATK Dinh Hoa, Centre of Wind Capital of the North Vietnam War Zone in the past, the delegation respectfully bows to hero's soul of great President Ho Chi Minh of the nation.

The delegation then visited the place where the Congress established Vietnam’s Committee for World Peace Protection – the predecessor of the VUFO - in Roong Khoa hamlet.

VUFO’s delegation visits the monument to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh's letter to the Peace Conference. (Photo: Trong Sang/VNF)

Vice Chairman Bui Khac Son reviewed the honorable tradition of VUFO since the foundation by and under the guidance of President Ho Chi Minh.

Throughout its 68 year journey, VUFO has developed strongly, making important contributions to external affairs in particular and to the cause of national renewal, development and defense in general. VUFO has unceasingly expanded its organisation scale to 116 member institutions (64 at central level and 52 at local level) and hundreds of local branches.

The organisation has helped with the collaboration with foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs). As a result, the country has established cooperation with nearly 1,000 foreign NGOs of more than 30 countries and territories. NGOs annually disburse about 300 million USD for thousands of projects to eliminate hunger and overcome war aftermaths, as well as those on public health, natural disaster prevention, environmental protection and capacity building for Vietnamese organisations at all levels.

VUFO Vice President also expressed deep gratitude to the Party, the State, the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and diplomacy seniors, emphasising VUFO’s determination as a whole to “actively, flexibly, creatively, effectively” accomplish all missions and thus, contribute to the development and integration of Vietnam, keeping upholding its honorable 68-year tradition and the success of Vietnam’s people-to-people diplomacy.

Son also thanked the leaders of the Thai Nguyen People's Committee, the Department of Foreign Affairs, provincial Union of Friendship Organisations, Dinh Hoa People's Committee, and Diem Mac commune have created favorable conditions to preserve and protect this important national historical site.

Poor students received gifts from VUFO. (Photo: Trong Sang/VNF)

For his part, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Diem Mac Commune, Vu said: Diem Mac is a part of the the ATK revolutionary war zone that late President Ho Chi Minh selected as a safety zone to build a revolutionary base during the Anti-French resistance war (1946-1954).

According to Vu, Diem Mac has many difficulties and still a poor commune, 16.54 per cent of the population are low-income families (both poor and near poor). Over the past years, the Party and State have paid much attention to investing and developing Diem Mac. VUFO has conducted many gratitude activities towards the commune, especially raising funds to support the poor children.

The road leading to the VUFO’s relic zone will soon be commenced, upgraded and put into operation in early 2019, promising to create better conditions for visiting and memorial activities, he added.

To express gratitude to local people, on behalf of VUFO, the delegation presented gifts to five families who had preserved the relics and 100 local poor students with excellent academic performance of Hoang Ngan Secondary School and Diem Mac Primary School./.

VNF