INTRODUTION

Vietnam Red Cross Society

- Foundation date: 23/11/1946

- Address: 82 Nguyen Du street, Hanoi

- Tel: 84.4.8224031 – 84.4.8263703

- Fax: 84.4.9424285

- E.mail: vnrchq@netnam.org.vn

- Representative Office in the South: 201 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, District1, Hochiminh City, Tel: 84.8.8391271

- Emblem:

- Award of honour:

+ Second class Labour Order (at the IVth VNRC National Congress dated on 10-11/12/1971)

+ First class Independence Order (at the Vth VNRC National Congress dated on 11-12/03/1988)

+ First class Labour Order

+ Hochiminh Order (at the reviewing meeting on 10 year of implementation of CPV Central Secretariat’s Instruction No 14 on organizational consolidation and performance improvement of VNRC dated on 7 – 8 April 1998.

          - Quotation from advice of President Hochiminh - Honorary President of VNRC to Red Cross staffs, members and volunteers: “Motivated by the deep love to people, we should contribute to the health care of people and do every thing possible to alleviate their sufferings ”.

 VNRC LEADERSHIP:

§         Vice-President–Secretary General: Mr. Doan Van Thai

§         Vice-President: Mr. Pham Van Trong

§         Vice – Secretary General: Dr. Nguyen Huu Hong

§         Vice – Secretary General: Mrs. Duong Hong Hoa

§         Vice-Secretary General: Mr. Phung Van Hoan

                Objectives:

- Vietnam Red Cross Society is a public social organization, serving the goal of humanity – peace –friendship, for the sake of prosperous people, powerful nation and an equal, democratic and civilized society.

- Vietnam Red Cross Society is member of Vietnam Fatherland Front and International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Under the Constitution and relevant laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Society carries our it’s activities nationwide, in line with its statutes, and 7 fundamental principles of the movement: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, Universality.

                            Mission:

We deliver our services in the fields of:

- Social relief – disaster preparedness

- Health care

- Development cooperation

- Internal improvement

Fundamental Principles:

Our mandate and mission is in conformity with 7 fundamental principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

Humanity

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality

It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality

In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence

The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary service

It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity

There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Historical benchmarks:

• At the period of success of August 1945 Revolution, the new revolution government faced with many serious challenges. Imperial and colonial forces determined to reoccupy the country. The Vietnam Red Cross Society had been founded by patriotic and forward minded officials and studios in this revolution spirit.

• President Hochiminh paid a visit to the Red Cross division of Vietnam in early 1946. The president questioned about the evacuating team’s training, the division’s foundation and mandate as well as agenda of activities. He facilitated the division with knowledge on organization and services of other National Red Cross societies and other humanitarian organizations. Then, the Red Cross enjoyed his guidance and advice: “Motivated by the deep love to people, we should contribute to the health care of people and do every thing possible to alleviate their sufferings ”.

• On 23 November 1946, nearly one month earlier than the beginning of National resistance war (19 December 1946), the Red Cross Society of Vietnam was officially founded on the occasion of 1st National Congress of Red Cross (at Van Dinh village, Ung Hoa district, Ha Tay province). This is the initial period for the humanitarian cause of VNRC with its services on people humanity and human values. The congress unanimously entitle President Hochiminh as the honorary president. Doctor Vu Dinh Tung was elected the Head of Society. The foundation of Red Cross Society Vietnam has satisfied the need of people’s health care and lives improvement, timely contributed to the national resistance war against French colony.

• On 5 June 1957, President Hochiminh, representing Vietnam government, sent an official letter to Swiss federal government to ratify 4 Geneva Conventions on war victims protection, giving chance for Red Cross society of Vietnam to be member of RCRC movement, thus widening its scope of activities.

• The Red Cross society of Vietnam was officially recognized as member of RCRC Movement at the General Assembly of IFRC held in New Dehli (India) on November 1957.

• Dr. Vu Dinh Tung continued to be elected as President of Red Cross Society of Vietnam at the 2nd National Congress held on 19 November 1960.

Presidents of VNRC

 • After the foundation of the northern people liberational front as consequence of increasing liberation movement in the South, the Red Cross organization of the front was founded on 27 February 1961, then rename as Red Cross Society of Southern Republic of Vietnam.

• The 3rd National Congress of Vietnam Red Cross Society held on 15 December 1965.

• At the 4th National Congress dated on 10-11 December 1971, the Vietnam Red Cross Society was awarded with Second class Labor Order. Membership coverage reached 100.000 people.

• On June 1973, the Congress of Red Cross Society of Southern Republic of Vietnam elected Dr. Nguyen Van Thu as its president.

• On July 31, 1976, the uniting congress agreed to joint 2 Red Cross societies in 2 parts into the Red Cross Society of Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Prof: Nguyen Van Thu was elected as the society’s president.

• The 5th National Congress of Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) was held on 11-12 March 1998, at the outset of country’s Doi Moi process. VNRC was awarded with First class Independence Order. Prof. Nguyen Trong Nhan was elected as president of the society”.

• At the 6th National Congress of VNRC dated on 15-17 March 1995, Party Secretary General Do Muoi was respectfully entitled VNRC’s honorary president. Prof. Nguyen Trong Nhan continued to be VNRC’s president.

• On 7-8 April 1998, the reviewing meeting on 10 years evaluation of implementation of the CPV central secretariat’s Instruction No 14 on works of Vietnam Red Cross was held. At the meeting, it was VNRC’s great honor to be awarded with Hochiminh Order, marking the outstanding growth of VNRC as well as state senior leaders’ recognition of the society’s great contribution since its foundation.

• The Asian Pacific RCRC conference was successfully organized by VNRC on November 1998 with the Hanoi Declaration, marking an active participation of VNRC in international cooperation.

• On 12-13 June 2000, the 1st patriotic emulation congress of VNRC was held in Hanoi. Hundreds of exceptional RC teams, individuals, members and youths were praised for their contribution to the humanitarian cause in the Doi Moi process.

• On 7-9 August 2001, the 7th national congress of VNRC was held, marking the threshold of the new millennium with both new opportunities and challenges, requiring more effort from its staffs and members to serve vulnerable people in Vietnam. Vietnam president Tran Duc Luong was respectfully entitled honorary president of VNRC. Prof. Nguyen Trong Nhan continued to be president of Society.

• At the 4th session of 7th meeting of VNRC National Standing Commission held on 31 July 2003, Prof. Nguyen Van Thuong (Dr. Prof, member of National Assembly) was elected as President cum Secretary General of the Society.

• On 28-29 June 2007, the 8th national congress of VNRC with over 400 delagates in whole country. Dr. Tran Ngoc Tang was elected as President of VNRC.