Mid-Autumn Festival festivities attended by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in Hanoi on Sept. 21 night raised over 1.5 billion VND (77,000 USD) for the capital city's disadvantaged children.

The Party leader also presented gifts to children from social protection centres in the city. He told over 2,000 children attending the event to study harder for a brighter future for the country.

Earlier, President Nguyen Minh Triet sent a letter to children across the nation to wish them a happy mid-autumn festival.

In his letter, Triet said he was glad that many students in the country had gained good results over the past few years.

"Many of you, who are from families with special circumstances and from remote border areas or islands have tried your best and earned good results in your studies.

Many have even gone on to earn top awards nationally and internationally," he said.

"As young as you are, you have worked hard to maintain the country's tradition of studiousness and deserve to be the future owners of the nation," he said.

He urged children to try their best at school, to participate in social activities and do good things for the community. In particular, the president called on disadvantaged children to overcome their difficulties and become successes.

He also affirmed that the Party and State would do their best for the country's children, who are the nation's future.

Hanoi Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi and other high-ranking officials in the city on Sept. 21 visited and presented gifts to disadvantaged children at Bo De Pagoda.

Apart from handing out presents to the children, he also gave the pagoda 200 million VND (10,200) donated by firms in Hanoi .

For the first time, a full-moon festival for children was held in the country's 63 provinces and cities on Sept. 21.

In particular, children living in industrial zones, social protection centres, boarding schools and rehabilitation centres for the disabled were encouraged to take part in the festivities.


In HCM City , more than 1,000 underprivileged children will receive mooncakes, lanterns and other gifts from charitable groups as they celebrate the annual Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept. 22.

The kids, who live in the city'shelters, safe houses and care centres, will also participate in traditional games during a party at the Dam Sen Park in district 11.

The event, called Trung Thu Sum Vay (Happy Mid-Autumn Night), is being organised by the park and its partners.

The children will also take part in puppet shows, lantern design and singing contests.
Similar celebrations are planned around the city to celebrate the festival.

The city's Cultural House for Children in district 1 will host a special programme, Moonlight Legend, featuring lantern and fruit-tray design competitions apart from music and dance performances./.