HCMC – The Consular Club International Charity Bazaar marked its 28th year in HCMC today November 9, celebrating the Consular Club’s 30 years of charitable work across southern Vietnam.
Held at Global City residential area in An Phu, Thu Duc City, the event attracted nearly 100 vendors from 15 countries, offering an array of products, food, and beverages, along with cultural performances.
All proceeds from the Bazaar will go to local charities, including Newborns Vietnam, which focuses on neonatal healthcare.
“This year is particularly special for us—not only is it our 30th anniversary, but we have also introduced many new elements to the event,” said Milena Padula, president of the Consular Club HCMC. She highlighted this year’s focus on sustainability, noting that no plastic tableware is used and that the fully recyclable backdrop was sponsored by a gold-tier partner.
“We are expecting around 1,500 attendees and are hopeful to raise substantial funds to support our charities, including our new partner, Newborns Vietnam,” she said.
Suzanna Lubran, executive director of Newborns Vietnam, spoke to The Saigon Times about how proceeds from the bazaar will fund training scholarships for healthcare workers. “This event helps provide scholarships for doctors, nurses, and midwives from remote areas, allowing them to receive neonatal resuscitation training with international instructors,” said Lubran.
The scholarships cover travel, accommodation, training materials, and course fees, with the ultimate goal of improving newborn care in underserved regions.
Professor Jonathan Wyllie, former chair of European Resuscitation Council, who contributes to Newborns Vietnam’s training program, spoke about the impact of neonatal training. “It is an honor to be part of a program with such potential for families and infants,” he said, adding that despite language barriers, translators have helped facilitate knowledge sharing. He cited improvements in newborn care at some hospitals, though he noted that challenges remain in remote areas.
One of the attendees, Tu Do, expressed her enthusiasm about returning to the event. “I am really happy to be here again this year. I joined last year and decided to come back because the tickets are very affordable, and it is a great opportunity to buy products from many countries around the world,” said Tu. “Not only do I get to find unique items, but I also know that the money I spend today will go to meaningful activities.”
Founded in 1994, the Consular Club is a non-political, non-profit organization that brings together international and Vietnamese representatives from consular missions in HCMC. The club fosters collaboration between the diplomatic and private sectors to support local charities, with a strong commitment to promoting gender equality, sustainability, and improving the lives of vulnerable communities in southern Vietnam.
