More than 4,000 blood donors on July 22 formed a huge drop of blood with the national flag at the centre.

The event, which took place at My Dinh National Stadium, is expected to create a new world record.

Organisers expect to collect at least 2,500 blood units (350ml each) from more than 4,500 registered donors in attendance. Over 1,100 blood units had already been collected by mid-day.

The event was a part of a blood donation festival, called the Red Connection, organized by the Vietnam Youth Union and the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion to celebrate War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27).

“Voluntarily blood donation is a practical way of showing gratitude to the contributions made by war invalids and martyrs to the nation’s revolution, especially as there is a blood shortage at present,” said institute director Nguyen Anh Tri.

“The festival aims to educate the young about safe lifestyles and guide them how to love and to share,” he added.

Le Thi Hong, a student from Hanoi Industrial Arts College, said she was honoured to be one of the first people to donate blood at the stadium.

The event also attracted composer Huy Thuc, who received blood for his injuries during the war; Miss Vietnam 2010, Ngoc Han, and Miss Bikini, Nguyen Thi Loan- plus many famous singers and bands.

(VOV)