NDO/VNA - The Ministry of Planning and Investment presented 3,000 white canes to the Vietnam Blind Association (VBA) at a ceremony on December 23, as part of the ministry’s initiative on supporting blind and visually impaired people.

The canes are expected to benefit members and blind people at the association’s centres for rehabilitation training for the blind across 17 provinces and cities nationwide, including Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Giang, Nghe An, Thua Thien-Hue, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said she hopes the initiative will continue expanding and receiving support from the community in its journey to assist the group.

VBA President Pham Viet Thu vowed to deliver the canes to people in need and organise training sessions on its usage.

Initiated in December 2019, the project aims to offer 1 million white canes to blind and visually impaired people, facilitating their travel and daily activities. Training on the usage of the cane and awareness-raising communications activities are also part of the project. More than 4,100 canes have so far been presented to many northern localities to date.