The Japan-Vietnam Peace and Friendship Promotion Council (JVPF) has presented 30 gifts worth 120 USD each to disadvantaged and studious ethnic students at a boarding school in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

JVPF Deputy Chairman Sato Haruo said he wishes that students at the boarding high-school for ethnic people in Nho Quan district will study well and make contributions to social activities.

Vice Principal of the school Nguyen Tien Cong said the presents encourage disadvantaged and studious students and highlight mutual assistance between the two countries. This is considered as an activity to mark the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year 2013 on the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

JVPF was established on October 30, 1999 with the aim of boosting exchanges and mutual understanding between the two people.

The council has carried out many practical activities in Vietnam, including helping Thai Binh province build a centre for Agent Orange victims and organising charity concerts.

It has presented scholarships to Vietnamese students since 2009.-VNA