(VOVworld) – Le Minh Hung, head of a charity group in District 5, Ho Chi Minh city, has been involved in charity activities for 20 years. His social contributions have been honored by the Municipal Fatherland Front.

Hung and other members of his charity group are preparing 2,000 gifts for lonely elderly people and poor students in Da Lat city, Lam Dong province. They will then give a compassion house worth 2,500 USD to a poor family in Can Tho city. They have cooperated with many localities nationwide to organize hundreds of charity trips to visit people with mental problems, people who are trying to give up drug addiction, lonely elderly people, agent orange/dioxin victims, and children with disabilities. During each trip, they provide free medical check-ups and medicine, donate wheelchairs to poor people with disabilities and scholarships and poor students, and build compassion houses. Hung says the smiles of unfortunate people make him happy: “My sympathy stemmed from the conditions of my own family. I want to share with people who are less fortunate than me. It is our responsibility to share and sympathize with others in difficult circumstances.”

Hung has been doing charity work throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, and India. He opened a vegetarian eatery in Ho Chi Minh city to cover his daily expenses. But whenever there is a charity program, he’s always ready to join. Nguyen Binh Tru is Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh city Red Cross Society: “The charity group run by Hung has contributed greatly to district 5’s social programs. It has enlisted other social organizations to help needy people. Hung is dedicated to charity work. He has traveled to many remote areas to help disadvantaged people.”

Each year, Hung’s group organizes 5-10 charity trips at a cost of approximately 7,000 USD each. They also spend up to 10,000 USD a year to help accident victims and people with critical diseases. Truong Ngoc Long, Vice President of District 5’s Red Cross Society, says: “This group conducts many charity activities each year. Its activities have spread the humanitarian policy of the party and government to disadvantaged people.”

Hung says he can’t remember how many people he has helped, but he as long as he stays healthy, he will continue to do charity work.