Trousers and shirts sold for VND 2,000 each outside the gate of Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone (at AH1, Linh Trung Ward, Thủ Đức District, Ho Chi Minh City) were eagerly purchased in large numbers by workers. They understood that the purpose behind these clothes was to help children with leukemia while also helping themselves in everyday life by saving a substantial amount on clothing.
Workers’ VND 2,000 contributions
On Saturday afternoon, at the end of the shift outside Linh Trung 1 Industrial Park, many workers were choosing trousers and shirts that suited them for just VND 2,000. Passersby were sure to be curious about the small space being used to sell clothing at VND 2,000 per item, accompanied by a loudspeaker announcing: “Affordable clothes, VND 2,000 each, supporting children with leukemia…” and a banner large enough to read: “1,000+ pieces of clothing with love at VND 2,000 each to save the lives of hundreds of children with leukemia.”
As the afternoon progressed, more workers finished their shifts, and the VND 2.000 clothing sale grew crowded. Everyone wanted to choose trousers or shirts they liked and that fit. Several young workers held large piles of newly purchased clothes, smiling as they told friends they were buying them for the children near their rented rooms: they felt sorry for them, wearing the same outfit for days. Others bought a few outfits for themselves because the clothes were attractive, still like new, and made from very good fabric.
Trương Thị Xuân Hiếu, originally from Phú Yên and working at Transimex, said she saw a large crowd on her way home from work and stopped to look. She then learned about the program selling clothes for VND 2,000 for charity. She considered it a very meaningful program for workers, and especially for children who are ill.
“I just bought several lovely outfits at incredibly low prices. The program helps struggling workers like us ease some of life's burdens while also helping sick children. If life continues like this, workers cannot earn enough in a lifetime, let alone think about giving to charity to help others,” Hiếu shared.
The area selling clothes for VND 2,000 also attracted many passersby who stopped to shop and support the program. After buying clothes, many people, including workers, remembered to put a small donation into the charity box. What a heartwarming act of kindness. These are workers who have come from the provinces to make a living in Ho Chi Minh City, renting rooms far from home in this glamorous city, with so many things to worry about.
Compassion shared
“A program like this is truly meaningful. I found some clothes that suit me. The quality is quite good: clean and fragrant. But 2.000 VND is too cheap, practically giving them away. Raising the price to 5.000 or 10.000 VND would be more reasonable and would raise more money to help children who are still ill,” said Mai, who works at Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone.
Trần Anh Tuấn, manager of the Light Charity program in Ho Chi Minh City, said this 1.000+ clothing initiative has been running for 2 years. Its goal is to share 1 million clothing items with disadvantaged people and workers. Proceeds support children's monthly blood transfusions and other activities. Since its founding, the project has distributed more than approximately 300.000 items. Ho Chi Minh City alone has held 5 events since 2018 in industrial and export processing zones such as Tân Thuận and Linh Trung, primarily serving workers and low-income laborers.
All donated clothing comes from benefactors and young people who wish to share Clothes of Love. Before donating, volunteers guide them to sort and wash the clothing so it is clean and fresh; only then is it sold to people.
“The 1.000+ Clothes of Love program is intended to run every 2 months, with sales held in places where many workers gather, such as industrial parks in Ho Chi Minh City and provinces nationwide. Each event takes place on a single weekend day. Any unsold clothes will be sent to remote areas and disadvantaged localities…” Tuấn added.
Beyond buying Garments of Love for VND 2,000 apiece, some workers also planned to donate belongings and clothes they no longer used, hoping to make even a small contribution toward a better life for children with leukemia.