Representatives from the South African Embassy in Vietnam and philanthropists on July 18 visited and presented gifts to Van Mon leprosy hospital in the northern province of Thai Binh, in response to Nelson Mandela International Day.

The gifts include one tonne of rice, food, clothing, candy and television sets.

It is the first time the day has been celebrated since the death of the South African President, an anti-apartheid revolutionary and philanthropist, on December 5, 2013.

Approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009, the day is to honor Mandela and inspire others to carry on his efforts to "take responsibility for making the world a better place, one small step at a time," according to a statement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation Initiative.

The running slogan for this year’s day is “Take action, Inspire change. Make everyday a Mandela Day".
On August 15, the embassy representatives will make a charity trip to Thien Giao centre in the northern city of Hai Phong.-VNA