Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong informed the participants about the recent storms in the central provinces as well as their havoc in property and lives of the locals.

Calling for support to help flood victims in rebuilding efforts, the diplomat said the embassy has received suggestions for assistance from Japanese organisations and individuals.

Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji underlined the friendship between Japanese and Vietnamese people.

Affected by many natural disasters like the earthquake and tsunami in 2011 and the latest earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture, Japanese people understand difficulties faced by the Vietnamese victims, he said.

The Governor promised to call on Japanese people to raise fund for the Vietnamese during the “Vietnam Festival” programme in the prefecture from October 29-30.

Earlier, Vietnamese embassies in other countries like Cambodia and Mexico also launched fundraisers for the flood victims.

Up to 29 people were killed and went missing in the recent downpours and flood, and nearly 200,000 houses and infrastructure facilities were under water and damaged in Vietnam’s central region. Losses are estimated at trillions of VND