This was the second annual event held by the pagoda’s Dao Phat Ngay Nay (Buddhism Today) Fund, with total cost of nearly 1 billion VND (43,100 USD).

Speaking at the ceremony, the head monk of the pagoda, venerable Thich Nhat Tu, said most of the couples have impaired mobility or are visually or hearing impaired.

Couples with disabilities at Giac Ngo Pagoda in District 10 of Ho Chi Minh City.

He said that the pagoda expected to organise two events in coming years to help more needy people.

Each couple received a wedding package worth 18 million VND (775 USD), including two wedding rings, two wedding ao dai outfits (Vietnamese traditional dress) for bride and groom, a wedding table of vegetarian food, wedding photos, marriage certificates, flowers, make-up, and hairdressing, among other services.

Nguyen Kim Duyen, 31, and her husband Nguyen Hop Vinh, 40, a couple from the southern province of Binh Phuoc, said they lived together in the same house for about four years.

“We do not have enough money to organise a wedding ceremony like many others,” Duyen said.

Vinh said: “I would like to say thanks to organisers and donors that have made our dreams come truth."

The couples were also offered a ride on cyclos that started from Hoa Binh (Peace) Park in District 10 and ended at Ben Thanh Market in District 1.

Last year, the event was recognised as the largest-ever group wedding for people with disabilities at a pagoda in Vietnam by the Vietnam Record Organisation (VietKings).

Bac Giang team wins many medals at national sport games for people with disabilities

(BGO) – The athletes in Bac Giang team won high achievement at the National Championships of table tennis, badminton, weightlifting, chess and boccia for people with disability.

Samsung Electronics Vietnam presents 100 wheelchairs to Bac Giang’s people with disabilities

(BGO) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DoFA) has recently coordinated with the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and Samsung Electronics Vietnam Company Limited (Samsung Vietnam) to present 100 wheelchairs to the people with disabilities in the northern province of Bac Giang in 2019 to ease their travel difficulties and help them further integrate to the society so as to overcome the life challenges.  

USAID-funded project to support people with disabilities

A seminar was held in the southern province of Dong Nai on August 19 to discuss a project to support people with disabilities caused by Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin sprayed on seven localities of Vietnam during the war.

Mass wedding held for couples with disabilities in HCM City

A mass wedding was held on August 12 in Ho Chi Minh City for 41 couples with disabilities.

HCM City: Thousands walk for AO victims, people with disabilities

More than 5,000 volunteers of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) as well as local residents participated in a fundraising walk for Agent Organge (AO)/Dioxin victims and impoverished people with disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City on August 10.

Source: VNA