Published:  00:00 Sunday - June 13, 2010

Vietnam is one of 29 countries to participate in annual Asia-Pacific Women Association (APWA) Bazaar held in Brussels, Belgium on June 12.  

This year Vietnam as ASEAN president actively took part in all the bazaar’s activities. In addition to skillful handicraft products, the Vietnamese booth attracted visitors with traditional food such as pork pies, spring rolls, fried shrimp in batter, fried rice and stir-fried vermicelli. The conical hat dance presented by Vietnamese girls was particularly praised by international friends.

The annual APWA Bazaar aims to raise funds for education and healthcare activities and minimize the aftermath of natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. It also provides regional countries a good opportunity to introduce their special culture through culinary arts, handicraft products, ethnic minority costumes and traditional dances.

All money raised at the bazaar will help poor and disabled children in Samoa, Sri Lanka and the Belgian DAMIAANACTIE charitable organization.

APWA was established through the initiative of the ambassadors’ wives of Asia –Pacific countries in Belgium and the EU. Over the past 7 years, APWA has organized fairs to raise funds for women and children in countries which face difficulties or natural disasters.