Actress Kathy Uyen and singer Thanh Bui paid a visit to Truong Van Thanh Primary School in Ho Chi Minh City in honor of World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims on November 20.
Uyen and Bui distributed informational packets about Vietnam’s frightening road situations to school representatives before joining the students in their classrooms.
Approximately 50 students were split up into five groups to encourage interactive and candid group discussions about how to reduce the number of road traffic accidents.
The group with the best idea to combat road traffic casualties was awarded a prize.
The event, organized by Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP Foundation), aims to enhance student’s awareness of road safety issues through discussions; remembrance activities including prayers and releasing birds;and through interviews with artists, students and local authorities.
The AIP Foundation is a US-based nonprofit organization that uses public-private partnerships, public awareness education, and school-based programs to reduce the rate of traffic injuries and fatalities in developing countries.
“With events taking place around the world for this Remembrance Day, I am thrilled to continue being a Goodwill Ambassador for AIP Foundation’s meaningful activities,” Bui said.
“As a road safety Goodwill Ambassador, I strongly believe that public awareness can effectively minimize the loss and pain that families such as these ones are experiencing,” Uyen added.
Vietnam is one of more than 100 countries worldwide dedicating November 20 to those who have died and have been severely injured by road traffic accidents.
World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims was created in 1993 by the organization Road Peace. The day was endorsed by the United Nations in 2005. It is now observed annually around the world on the third Sunday of every November.

Explaining about the change, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, from the Performing Art Agency, said: “Our agency initially denied to grant permission to Phan Thi Mo because her file was submitted four days after the contest began. However, the organizer committed that it is no problem for the Vietnamese contestant to join the contest a little late. So our agency has granted the license.”

Mo said she is not afraid to join the pageant late. “I’ll try my best to not betray people’s expectation on me,” she said.
Mo said she will take ao dai and ao tu than (four-panel traditional dress of Vietnam) designed by Thuan Viet, evening gowns by Hoang Hai and Quynh Paris to the Philippines. She has practiced a dance for the talent contest.

Vietnam has sent its representatives to Miss Earth pageant five times, from 2004 to 2007 and 2010. The highest rank belongs to Miss Vietnam World 2010 Diem Huong, who ranked 14th at Miss Earth 2010, held in Vietnam.

The Miss Earth 2011 was scheduled in Thailand. However, owing to the historical flood in Bangkok, the event is now held in the Philippines, with around 90 contestants. The crown ceremony will take place on December 3.
The Miss Earth 2012 pageant will be held in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam.
Son Ha