The reception was attended by members of the high-level delegation of the Czech Senate; representatives of ministries, central agencies and bodies; the National Assembly’s Committee for National Defence, Security and External Relations; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front. Representing the Vietnam Red Cross Society HQs were President Do Thi Thu Thao; Vice President and Secretary-General Nguyen Hai Anh; and Vice President Vu Thanh Luu.
Speaking at the reception, Ms. Do Thi Thu Thao expressed her respect and heartfelt thanks to the President of the Senate and the high-level delegation of the Czech Senate. She noted that this is a great honour for the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) during a visit that carries profound humanitarian significance.
Founded in 1946 by President Ho Chi Minh, the VNRC serves as the core force in Viet Nam humanitarian activities with nearly 8 million staff, members, operates comprehensively across seven fields under the Law on Red Cross Activities – from emergency relief, healthcare, first aid, and disaster response to voluntary blood donation and support in tracing missing family members.
In recent months, floods have caused devastating damage across Central Viet Nam. The VNRC promptly activated its emergency response system, mobilised local forces, and delivered essential supplies to help affected people stabilize their lives in the immediate aftermath.
The support provided by the Government and people of the Czech Republic is a timely contribution, demonstrating solidarity, friendship and international humanitarian spirit toward Viet Nam’s flood-hit communities. The VNRC affirmed its commitment to allocating the assistance for the right purposes and beneficiaries, ensuring effectiveness and contributing to helping people overcome difficulties after the disaster.
During the meeting, the Vietnam Red Cross Society HQs expressed its wish that the Czech Senate would continue to support strengthened cooperation between the VNRC and the Czech Red Cross, aiming to establish a formal and long-term partnership between the two National Societies. Such a foundation would enable both sides to enhance delegation exchanges, share experience in disaster response, healthcare, blood donation, volunteer development, and coordinate the implementation of bilateral humanitarian programmes. The VNRC stressed its readiness to serve as a bridge to promote humanitarian initiatives, contributing to consolidating the friendship between Việt Nam and the Czech Republic for peace, stability and sustainable development.
The President of the Czech Senate emphasised that the most important foundation for friendly cooperation between countries is the spirit of mutual support and sharing. Viet Nam is a country that frequently faces natural disasters, flooding and the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. The assistance from the Czech Republic, he said, carries profound meaning – a gesture of solidarity and a commitment to overcoming challenges together.
He expressed his pleasure at witnessing the spirit of mutual support between the two countries, highlighting that humanitarian efforts must be based on a clear understanding of the current challenges caused mainly by human-induced climate change. This is also a vivid symbol of cooperation between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic and conveys an inspiring message to the international community: “When we work together, we are stronger.”
The President also extended his sincere gratitude to the staff, members and volunteers of the VNRC for their dedication and tireless work. He expressed hope that the spirit of helping one another will spread further, encouraging more countries to participate in humanitarian activities so that together, humanity can build a safer and more humane world.