HCMC - The Saigon Times Group on November 7 held an event to thank individuals and organizations that have contributed to its “Saigon Times – Great Circle - Helping people affected by storms and floods” program.

Speaking at the event, Pham Huu Chuong, deputy editor-in-chief in charge of the Saigon Times Group, said the campaign had received a stronger-than-expected response from businesses and individuals despite the challenges many companies are facing. The program has so far received contributions from staff of OCBS Securities Company, who donated VND180 million. Good Day Hospitality, the operator of McDonald’s Vietnam, contributed VND100 million, and LuxGroup donated VND30 million. Many other organizations and individuals have also joined the initiative.

The Saigon Times Group is planning to present 465 gift sets to children at a school and its two remote sites in Khe Sanh Commune, Quang Tri Province, on November 21. Vietnam has been hit by consecutive storms and floods in recent weeks. Storm Matmo alone left 18 people dead or missing and injured 16 others, with total damage estimated at nearly VND17 trillion as of October 15, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Heavy flooding has also caused significant losses in the northern and central regions, with 40 people reported dead or missing as of November 2. Thousands of hectares of crops have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of livestock have died or been swept away. Landslides have disrupted major transport routes, affecting daily life and economic activities. The Saigon Times Group expressed deep gratitude to donors and called on individuals and organizations to continue supporting the program to help affected residents in the northern and central regions recover. Contributions can be sent to the Saigon Times Group via the following bank account: Account name: Tap chi Kinh te Sai Gon Vietnam Export Import Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Eximbank)-Hoa Binh Branch Account number: 1007 1485 1003 318 Transfer description: “Full name of individual/organization – Vuot qua bao lu”