VietNamNet Bridge - A forum where children can speak their hopes and wishes will be held in Hanoi on May 31 as part of activities to mark International Children’s Day.

Participating children will be given a chance to express themselves through group discussions on education and work, recreational activities, mass media, protection of disadvantaged children and children’s rights.

During the forum, called “Listening, sharing and jointly protecting Vietnamese children’s rights,” the Association for Child Right Protection will launch a club for connecting children.

The event organisers are the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism along with the Association for Child Right Protection.

Also in celebration of International Children’s Day, the Odonto-Maxillo-Facial Hospital in association with the Humanitarian Arms Fund of the Health and Life newspaper will provide free surgery for 100 cleft palate sufferers.

Pacific Airlines will allow children under 15 to fly free on three domestic routes on June 1.

The Vietnam Ethnology Museum will carry out a special programme on May 31 and June 1 to introduce children to traditional games, folk songs and ways to make toys and conducts scientific experiments.

A census result showed that children aged between 0 and 14 make up 26.4 percent of the Vietnamese population. Caring and protecting children and ensuring they enjoy national socio-economic achievements continue to be a priority for Vietnam.

(Source: VNA)