An athletics competition for the mentally challenged was kicked off in Ha Noi, on April 18, to encourage athletes to participate in sport. The event was the first such competition staged in the country.

Organisers said the event was a success with more than 80 athletes from Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and central Quang Tri province competing in the games.

An Information Communications Technology awards ceremony entitled ICT-Light the Hope, was also staged in Ha Noi, on April 18, to honour products in the industry that have been specifically designed with physically and mentally challenged people in mind.

Not to be outdone by the capital, some of Ho Chi Minh City's most famous artists conducted a get-together with local disabled children from the city's 11 special needs centres. About 1,000 gifts were presented to the children at the event.

On April 15, the Viet Nam Association for Supporting the Disabled and Orphans and Viet Nam Television got together to stage a music programme for charity that raised over 10 billion VND.

                                                                                                      VNA