ORH 2025 - On site at the hospital in Hanoi

A First Arrival at the Hospital

Today was our first day together at the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital — the place where so much will be achieved in the next few days.
In the morning we all took the bus from the hotel to the hospital — doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses and administrators. The atmosphere, a special mix of concentration, excitement and quiet anticipation, was noticeable.

We were warmly welcomed on site by the local organization team. In an initial meeting, they explained what would happen over the next few days, after which each participant had the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves. Following this, each specialist team withdrew for a short internal meeting.

• The surgeons determined the order of the planned procedures.

• The anesthesiologists coordinated the anesthesia administration, preparation and recovery organization.

• The nursing staff planned their processes for tomorrow — from welcoming the little patients to aftercare on the ward.

Everything was clearly structured from the start: who does what, in what order, and with what resources.

The subsequent tour of the stations gave us an idea of how much preparation had already been done. We saw the operating rooms, the recovery area, and the ward where the children will spend a night after their operation — usually together with a parent or relative. Everything was professionally prepared.

This thorough preparation was noticeable — and it gives us all reassurance for what begins tomorrow: the screening of the children. And we are ready.

A Place that Gives Hope – The Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Hanoi

Between the busy everyday life of the city of Hanoi and the deep care of a medical mission lies a special place: the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital. Here, in the heart of the city, our work with Operation Restore Hope is made possible — and with impressive professionalism, humanity, and history.

The hospital was founded in 1969 as a sign of solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba — two countries that gave each other courage and medical knowledge after difficult times. To this day, this house embodies this spirit of solidarity. And that’s exactly what one feels: in the atmosphere, in the team, and in the openness and warmth with which we as an international surgical team were welcomed here.

Today, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital is one of the leading locations for plastic and reconstructive surgery in Vietnam — with special departments for ENT, dentistry, anesthesia, and intensive care medicine. Modern operating theaters, highly developed diagnostics, and a dedicated team create the best conditions for treating our little patients safely and with dignity.

The statistics are particularly impressive: the hospital has already carried out over 18,000 free operations on children with cleft lip and palate — many of them in collaboration with international aid organizations. But this number is more than just a statistic. It is a testament to what is possible when countries, people, and hearts work together.

It is a great honor for us to be able to work in this place — where help knows no limits and where medical help becomes real humanity.

Children in Vietnam – Between School Desk, Responsibility, and Hope

More than 25 million children live in Vietnam — about a quarter of the population. Many of them grow up with love and care, but also with major challenges: poverty, lack of access to medical care, underfunded schools, and early responsibility within the family shape the everyday lives of many young Vietnamese.

School – Not a Given for Everyone
Compulsory schooling in Vietnam begins at age 6 and lasts nine years. Attendance at public schools is theoretically free — but in practice, fees for uniforms, books, exams, and “voluntary contributions” are often charged. For families with very low incomes, this is a real obstacle. Especially in rural areas or among ethnic minorities, it is common for children to:

• Travel very long distances to school

• Be taken out of school early to help with work

• Be denied a place at school altogether

Nevertheless, many parents place great value on education, seeing it as the only way out of poverty.

Health – Well-Cared For is Rare
Healthcare in Vietnam has improved in recent years — especially in large cities. But in rural areas or for more complex illnesses, help is difficult to obtain.

For children with deformities, such as cleft lip and palate or burns, this often means no treatment because it is unaffordable, or there are no specialized doctors within reach. The result is lifelong limitations — physical, linguistic, and social.

State health insurance does not cover many services. Medications often have to be paid for out of pocket. Preventive medicine, early diagnosis, and rehabilitation are in short supply.

Being a Child in Vietnam – a Daily Balancing Act
Despite all the challenges, one encounters children in Vietnam with impressive strength and resilience. They play barefoot on dusty streets, help at the market, carry their younger siblings — and give you a broad smile that goes straight to your heart. Childhood here often means taking on responsibility early, doing a lot with little, and yet still being allowed to dream.

Gratitude

Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, partners, and companions. With this seven-day newsletter series, we not only want to give you insights into our work on the ground, but also express our gratitude.