Thousands of people, mainly youngsters and students, donated blood at the 18th "Chu nhat do" (Red Sunday) blood donation campaign on January 11 at Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

Students of the People's Police Academy attend the Red Sunday blood donation campaign.

The annual blood donation festival is organised by Tien Phong Newspaper, in coordination with the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, the Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of provinces and cities nationwide.

Speaking at the event, jurnalist Phung Cong Suong, Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong Newspaper and Head of the Organising Committee for Red Sunday 2026, said that the mass media not only reflect life, but also have the responsibility to cultivate positive values for society.

“For the past 17 years, Red Sunday has become a widespread movement, connecting millions of compassionate hearts across the country, contributing hundreds of thousands of precious blood units to the healthcare sector," Suong said.

"But more than the numbers, what is most valuable is the spirit of sharing that has deeply permeated the community, especially the younger generation – those who are willing to give without expecting anything in return.

“We have always cherished and been proud of the student force – young people who possess enthusiasm, ideals, and compassionate hearts. It is you who have been and continue to be the enduring energy and youthful heartbeat that has nourished the Red Sunday movement for nearly two decades.

I believe that, with this unity, the 18th Red Sunday in 2026 will continue to ignite hope, give life to thousands of patients, and sow the seeds of compassion in society.”

Associate Professor Huynh Dang Chinh, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, emphasised that voluntary blood donation is a noble act, demonstrating the sense of responsibility and compassion of the Vietnamese people towards their community.

"A drop of blood saves lives, a drop of blood brings happiness to the community, igniting faith and compassion in every person," Chinh said.

According to Prof Chinh, for many years, Hanoi University of Science and Technology has regularly hosted the Red Sunday blood donation campaign and each time has received nearly 2,000 units of blood, the highest amount in the country.

Red Sunday was born in response to the severe blood shortage at many medical facilities in late 2008 and early 2009. Originating from an idea by Tien Phong Newspaper, the first blood donation event was held in Hanoi in 2009, with modest results, receiving only 96 units of blood.

The Red Sunday campaign has mobilised hundreds of thousands of blood units, making a significant contribution to reducing blood shortages during the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival. In 2025 alone, the whole country mobilised and received nearly 1.75 million blood units, of which 98% came from voluntary blood donors.

The 18th Red Sunday 2026 blood donation campaign is taking place from December 2025 to the end of March 2026 in many localities nationwide. Before that, on December 20, 2025, the programme was held at Celadon Tan Phu in Ho Chi Minh City, where more than 300 units of blood were received.

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