HCMC – Nearly 170 units of blood were collected at a Saigon Times Group blood drive in downtown HCMC today (October 4), as city hospitals face declining reserves.
Around 120 local and foreign donors, including diplomats, corporate staff, government officials and Saigon Times employees, took part in the campaign at the group’s headquarters at 35 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward.
The municipal Department of Health said blood donations have dropped in recent months. In July, blood banks received 25,034 units, short of the 27,607 units needed, pushing the city’s stock down from 9,427 units to 6,713 by the end of the month.
The HCMC Blood Transfusion and Hematology Hospital said that current supplies may cover only 70% to 80% of patient demand if donations do not increase, potentially disrupting medical services.
Against this backdrop, the Saigon Times Blood Donation Day 2025 aimed to ease the shortage, support patients in need, and nurture a spirit of social responsibility and compassion within the community.
This year’s program coincided with the 30th anniversary of The Saigon Times at english.thesaigontimes.vn (October 2, 1995 – 2025) and the 34th anniversary of The Saigon Times Weekly (October 10, 1991 – 2025). The effort was aimed not only at easing blood shortages but also at fostering a sense of social responsibility within the community
To support the campaign, Construction and Building Materials JSC (CBM) provided funding, while TOUS les JOURS Vietnam, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage, Ong Tho Condensed Milk, and Le Fruit farm fresh offered in-kind contributions.
In addition to addressing the city’s blood shortage, the event carried a message of solidarity with communities in northern and central Vietnam hit hard by the recent Storm Bualoi. The storm caused severe losses and hardships, leaving homes destroyed, belongings swept away, and families mourning their loved ones.
In the spirit of “Saigon Times – Great Circle,” the Organizing Committee called for continued support and contributions to help affected residents rebuild their lives. Donations made through the “Saigon Times – Great Circle” program will be delivered directly to the disaster-hit communities.
