HCM City: Consular Club’s Annual Charity Bazaar Raises USD 72,600

At the annual charity bazaar organized by the HCMC Consular Club.

20 Consulates in Ho Chi Minh City last week joined forces and raised nearly VND 1.8 billion (USD 72,600) for charity projects at the 27th International Charity Bazaar held by the city’s Consular Club.

The Consular Club in Ho Chi Minh City is an established volunteer-run charity of almost 30 years working to improve the living quality of disadvantaged people in southern Vietnam with a particular focus on aid for orphans, the disabled, the elderly and ethnic minority groups.

The International Charity Bazaar aimed at bringing back the club’s international charitable spirit with a high-energy cultural bazaar rich in global products, international food and a wide range of cultural performances.

This event was held after being postponed for the last two years due to the pandemic.

All funds raised from the event will go towards supporting meaningful projects to improve the lives of underprivileged communities in Vietnam.

This year’s fair has the participation of more than 30 booths from the Consulate General of 20 countries. Visitors at the event had a chance to try international food freshly prepared by restaurants and diplomats in HCM City, enjoyed international cultural performances, handicrafts and other items from all around the world.

In additions, visitors also have a chance to join a raffle draw offering valuable prizes worth up to VND 2.5 million (USD 101).

This is one of the biggest Charity bazaars, organised by Consular Club HCMC, with the participation of nearly 20 Consulates in HCMC.

At the booth of the British Consulate-General.

Participating in opening a booth at the fair, Nguyen Thanh Phu said, to prepare for the event, his company brought about 100 boxes of goods including clothes, shoes and sportswear. All sales proceeds. will be sent to the charity fund to help the less fortunate in HCM City and other provinces and cities.

“Whenever a fair is held, we always participate in sales and then the proceeds will be sent to the fund for charity. The goods on display are completely new, with prices ranging fromVND 200,000 to more than VND 1 million”, Phu said.

Opening a booth at the fair for the third time, Ly Thi Minh Tram, director of the Maison Chance (Nhà May Mắn, or Lucky House), shared that all goods on sale at the stall are handmade crafts by children with disabilities and orphans at the organization. After the fair, all proceeds will be sent back to take care of the children’s lives.

“The fair is an opportunity for people to know more about Lucky House and also an opportunity to create jobs for the children living at the house,” said Tram.

The Indonesia pavilion displays a variety of dishes and products, including brocade, batik, as well as other accessories and souvenirs. The products of Indonesia attracted attention and were purchased by many visitors.

The Indonesian Consulate General brought to the event two Indonesian dance performances.

The Consular Club of HCM City is a non-profit organization established in 1994 by representatives from consulates in HCM City with the purpose of improving the quality of life of disadvantaged people in southern Vietnam.

Milena Padula, president of the Consular Club and spouse of the Italian General Consul in HCM City, said, “For nearly 30 years, our bazaar has been an extremely popular event. Over 1,000 guests attend the event each year to purchase a variety of products from all over the world such as handicrafts, clothes, home decoration and jewelry. They enjoy freshly prepared international food and entertainment in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.”

At the 26th fair in 2019, the club raised more than USD 70,000 and used it to sponsor 12 different projects in the fields of education, health, and clean water. During the Covid-19 outbreak, the club has supported four different charities and sponsored two projects.