Vietnam and 26 other member countries of the Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society (ALFS) sold their typical dishes and handicrafts at a charity fair in Japan’s capital Tokyo on April 8 to raise money for welfare activities and natural disaster victims.

The 38th ALFS Bazaar also saw the presence of Japanese Princess Hitachi and the Japanese Prime Minister’s wife Akie Abe.

Princess Hitachi of Japan visiting Vietnam’s stall

According to Le Nguyet Nga, wife of the Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, through the fair, the women’s union of the embassy wishes to introduce the unique culture and cuisine of Vietnam to international friends.

A total of 200 million VND (9,500 USD) collected from the 2013 bazaar has been used to build schools for Agent Orange/dioxin children in Vietnam, she said, adding that funds raised from this year’s event will continue to help poor kids in disadvantaged areas across the nation.

As an organisation under the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ALFS aims to promote exchanges, enhance friendship and contribute to social welfare. The 500-member organisation gathers spouses of former prime ministers, politicians and diplomats of Japan as well as the wives of 27 Asia-Pacific ambassadors to Japan.

All proceeds from sales of goods at the fair will go to the society’s fund, and then be distributed to member countries for domestic charitable work.

Source: VNA