On May 2, 2026, the Viet Nam Red Cross Society solemnly launched the Humanitarian Month 2026. This event holds special significance, marking the milestone of “80 years – A journey of compassion for the community” of the Viet Nam Red Cross. With a large-scale online connection to dozens of locations and the entire grassroots Red Cross network nationwide, the ceremony created a unified humanitarian space, spreading the power of compassion from the central level to local communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Viet Nam Red Cross Society, Ms. Do Thi Thu Thao, affirmed that 80 years ago, President Ho Chi Minh laid the foundation for the Society with a guiding philosophy centered on people and rooted in compassion. That journey has been shaped by simple yet noble actions such as blood donation and supporting vulnerable individuals, contributing to strengthening the nation’s moral foundation and conveying Viet Nam’s humanitarian message to the international community.
Over the past five years, the Humanitarian Month has demonstrated its significant role by mobilizing over VND 3 trillion and supporting more than 6.6 million people. Reflecting on this five-year journey, although substantial resources have been mobilized to assist millions, according to President Do Thi Thu Thao, the greatest value lies not in the figures, but in the strengthened public trust and the powerful awakening of compassion in society.
Entering a new stage of development, in response to the orientation of General Secretary and State President To Lam on piloting the model of “Socialist wards and communes” in Hanoi, and with the profound understanding that “a civilized society is not only measured by economic growth, but also by its humanity, equity, and the quality of care for every individual,” the Society has officially proposed an initiative to collaborate on researching “humanitarian indicators” in building this model and developing residential communities. This initiative is expected to become a core measurement tool to quantify humanitarian values, contributing to the development of civilized and happy communities.
To realize this vision, President Do Thi Thu Thao outlined three key strategic pillars. First is building Compassionate – Safe – Sustainable Communities, associated with enhancing people’s capacity for self-protection against risks so that no one is left behind. Second is promoting digital transformation with the spirit of “digital literacy for all,” ensuring transparency and enabling people to directly monitor humanitarian resources. Third is developing a Humanitarian Economy linked to sustainable livelihoods under the principle of “giving a fishing rod rather than a fish,” empowering people to achieve long-term stability in their lives.
Within the framework of the ceremony, specific targets for resource mobilization and blood donation for Humanitarian Month 2026 were also set, accompanied by strong commitments to transparency and effectiveness. Ms. Do Thi Thu Thao emphasized that every act of sharing is not only immediate support but also an investment in the long-term stability and sustainable development of society. Concluding her remarks, the President called on the community to join hands in spreading compassion to build a better society, where kindness becomes a standard of behavior and a lasting value in everyday life.