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Home > NewsNewsOperation Smile partner with Westcoast International Dental ClinicWestcoast International is a group of International dental clinics in Vietnam. Since their opening in June 2009, for each visit to their clinic, a minimum of 1USD from each payment is donated towards the Operation Smile Program. They also contributed in other initiatives to support Operation Smile in their activities in Vietnam.  For more information, please visit www.westcoastinternational.com Sofitel Palace Hosts Second Annual Swing For Smiles Golf TournamentDalat’s leading hotel, the Sofitel Palace hosted the Second Annual Swing For Smiles Golf Tournament and Gala Dinner on Saturday 28th November 2009. 26 players from all walks of life joined in a Stapleford Competition on a beautiful clear afternoon at the Dalat Palace Golf Club with the aim of helping to raise both awareness and funds on behalf of Operation Smile Vietnam. At a sumptuous gala dinner held in the Ballroom of the Dalat Palace Hotel that evening, it was announced that US$3,000 had been raised by attendees at the tournament and gala dinner, enabling 20 children to undergo corrective facial surgery in 2010. "This event provides the opportunity to help those less fortunate children of Vietnam in our communities to face the world with a smile,” said Tony Chisholm, General Manager of Sofitel Dalat Palace.
A Journey of Miracles Commemorates the 20 Anniversary of Operation Smile VietnamMore than 7,000 Children Receive Free Medical and Dental Treatment during the largest charitable medical program in the history of Operation Smile Vietnam and the Region. It is also humbling for all of us here in Vietnam to take the opportunity to thank all of you for making this to be the largest charitable medical mission ever of the organization in Vietnam and around the region. We would not be able to get this done this without you. In just 10 days, at 16 simultaneous mission sites across the country include the neighbored city Pakse, Laos, our team of almost 1,000 international and local health care professionals and volunteers were working side by side to deliver 868 life changing surgeries and 6,601 dental treatments to Vietnamese children and families who desperately need them. While we have accomplished a great deal on this journey, there remains much work to be done. Friends, volunteers and supporters are the reason we are able to meet the needs of impoverished children and continue our new chapter of life in Vietnam in the future. We consider the Journey of Miracles as a milestone of our achievement and as our commitment to work harder towards a better health care system for the people of the country. THE FUTURE here is awaiting ahead and the successes of our 20th year anniversary are making us feel energetic and committed than ever before. We will continue developing our recent contacts, working with our recent donors, spreading the words of our work further to the community, implementing our recent projects across the country, training more volunteers, identifying and exploring further opportunities to collaborate closely with the Vietnamese government and partners around the region… all for another unique opportunity… to graciously invite all you to continue cherishing and enjoying such moments with us in the near future. Our growth and successes would definitely not be possible without your inspiration and support. Thank you, Operation Smile Vietnam 
20 Years of Smiles – A Journey of MiraclesTo commemorate 20 years of providing new smiles, Operation Smile and Operation Smile Vietnam will launch “20 Years of Smiles – A Journey of Miracles.” From November 4-16, Operation Smile will hold 16 simultaneous medical missions providing dental treatment and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates or other craniofacial anomalies. These missions will provide free surgeries and treatment for an estimated 3,000 Vietnamese. To learn more about our 20th Anniversary celebrations please visit, www.operationsmile.org/vietnam-20th-anniversary. Operation Smile Vietnam Black-Tie Gala and Art AuctionHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam – On May 23, Operation Smile Vietnam held its 11th annual art auction at the Park Hyatt Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. The black-tie dinner and art auction was attended by 320 guests, a record number, who helped raise more than $100,000 for Operation Smile Vietnam’s programs. Rob Blain, Chairman and CEO of CB Richard Ellis Asia Pacific, donated his time and talent to serve as auctioneer for the event. The painting “Market in Bac Ha,” by Helene Kling, went for the highest bid of the evening. It sold for $10,000 and was purchased by Unilever Vietnam, the event's gold sponsor. “It is really gratifying to see so many people come out and support this event in these difficult times,” said Ken Atkinson, Chairman of the Board, Operation Smile Vietnam. “The spirit of giving is well and truly alive in Ho Chi Minh City, and we are truly grateful for this wonderful result.” One of the evening’s most popular guests was Nguyen Pham Cam Ly, a three-year-old girl from Tay Ninh. Born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, Ly received surgery to repair her cleft lip during the Ho Chi Minh City medical mission in November 2007. She will be receiving surgery in August 2009 to repair her cleft palate. Little Ly and her parents were introduced on stage by Mai Phuong Thuy, Miss Vietnam 2006, who is also Operation Smile Vietnam’s Youth Ambassador. Also during the event, Sue McKinney, one of the founding board members of Operation Smile Vietnam, received special recognition for her nine years service to the organization before retiring from the Board of Directors.
Saigon Halong Hotel Helps Vietnamese Children SmileFor every room booked during the month of September 2008, the Saigon Halong Hotel will generously donate $2 USD to Operation Smile Vietnam. The Saigon Halong Hotel is an International four-star hotel in Halong Bay, a beautiful World Heritage Site located 180 km outside of Hanoi. This is the Saigon Halong Hotel’s first initiative with Operation Smile Vietnam and the hotel would like to expand the program throughout the rest of hotel’s group. To visit the hotel online, please go to www.saigonhalonghotel.com.
Circle of Friends Supports Operation Smile VietnamCircle of Friends is an organization set up by a group of passionate and responsible young people that aims to help disadvantaged people and better the community. Founded in 2006 with only 6 core participants, Circle of Friends today boasts over 100 members. Circle of Friends have supported Operation Smile Vietnam with various fundraising activities and their cash donations went towards the success of the Medical Missions in Vietnam during the World Journey of Smiles in November 2007. Their valued contribution continues in 2008, as the Circle of Friends hold an event called ‘The Painting Circle’ in July. The exhibition will showcase paintings by people of different ethnic backgrounds that live in Vietnam and will open in Hanoi on July 23 2008. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of artwork will be donated to Operation Smile Vietnam. In addition, one of the artworks will be donated to Operation Smile Vietnam for its annual charity art auction. To find out more about Circle of Friends, visit www.vongtaybeban.info. Operation Smile Mission in Hue, VietnamImagine traveling a great distance to an Operation Smile Mission in Hue, Vietnam hoping that your daughter will have surgery so that she can now live a typical life; that of a little girl with a bright smile. Imagine that you are then offered the chance to have the same surgery to repair the cleft lip that matches your daughters cleft lip. It is hard to imagine. Yet, this is what took place and the gifted Vietnamese surgeon Dr. Lam Hoai Phuong made it happen. Pictured here is the father and Dr. Lam Hoai Phuong just prior to his surgery. On behalf of the father and his entire family, he wishes to express his deepest appreciation to Operation Smile and to Dr. Lam Hoai Phuong. He said he will never forget the kindness shown to him and to his daughter. He said that the lives of his entire family will be changed forever. It has been very gratifying and moving for me to be a “spectator” to this miraculous event. This is one of the many beautiful moments we are sharing here in Viet Nam. And I would like to thank all of you who support Operation Smile. Without your support, these miracles in far away lands would not exist. Thanks also to Dr. Lam Hoai Phuong, I know my life has been enriched because I have had the honor of working with you. “Cam On.” (Thank you in Vietnamese)
Viettel Telecom Sponsors 100 SmilesViettel is one of the leading telecommunication companies in Vietnam, which has a focus on community development. Viettel is sponsoring two of Operation Smile Vietnam’s Local Medical Missions in Hanoi in July 2008. Approximately 100 children suffering from cleft lips and/or cleft palates will benefit from Viettel’s sponsorship. Most of the patients will be from Bac Giang, Nam Dinh and Tuyen Quang province.
DHL Express Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary by Sponsoring 20 SmilesDHL Vietnam has donated $2000 USD and in doing so has given 20 Vietnamese children suffering from facial deformities a chance to live a normal life. This generous donation was in honor of DHL Expresses 20th Anniversary in June 27th 2008. Operation Smile Joins U.S. Navy Ship And Brings Smiles To Children In VietnamOn June 24, Operation Smile joined the United States Navy’s hospital ship, USNS Mercy, during its summer 2008 humanitarian civic assistance deployment. The USNS Mercy Mission, Pacific Partnership 2008, provided humanitarian services to four countries in Southeast Asia including Vietnam. The second stop for the Pacific Partnership USNS Mercy Mission was in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Ninety-nine children suffering with cleft lips and/or cleft palates received free reconstructive surgery. The team of 54 medical volunteers worked in collaboration with the Navy medical team at General Hospital of Khanh Hoa Province and provided free physical examinations to 121 children born with facial deformities. Operation Smile’s medical team, made up primarily of volunteers from Vietnam also included team members from Brazil, England, Laos, Singapore, Spain and the United States. The team worked with Navy personnel to conduct three days of surgery aboard the ship and treated 91 patients. At the conclusion of the Nha Trang mission, Vice Admiral Doug Crowder, U.S. 7th Fleet Commander, said, “It is wonderful to actual see what great work our forces have done in the field and the smiles on the faces of the mothers who are bringing their children. The dental facilities and the work that Operation Smile and others are doing is just tremendous. I’m awful proud of this entire medical team.”
Cindy McCain Joins Operation Smile Medical Mission in VietnamOn June 19 Operation Smile Board of Directors member - and wife of presidential hopeful Senator John McCain - Cindy McCain joined Operation Smile’s Medical Mission in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Operation Smile’s volunteer Medical team worked at General Hospital of Khanh Hoa Province and provided free physical examinations to 121 children born with facial deformities. McCain toured the hospital accompanied by Operation Smile Chief Medical Officer Dr. Randy Sherman and Operation Smile Vietnam Medical Director Dr. Lam Hoai Phuong. McCain met patients and families and interacted with Operation Smile volunteers. Operation Smile’s Medical team, made up primarily of volunteers provided by Operation Smile Vietnam, worked with Navy personnel to conduct four days of surgery aboard the United States Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy. McCain said, “When you see a child anywhere, say a child that doesn’t have food or a child with a cleft palate who’s been kept in a back room because the family is embarrassed or whatever it may be, it takes you back to really what’s basic and what’s really important.” McCain has been involved with Operation Smile since 2001 and this was the fifth Operation Smile Medical Mission she has visited. McCain is a dedicated and active volunteer with a truly personal connection to Operation Smile. In 1993, Senator John and Cindy McCain adopted a child born with a cleft lip and cleft palate from Mother Teresa’s orphanage in Bangladesh and as a result have a sincere belief in the organization’s work. Bridget was successfully treated in the U.S. and today is 16 years old.
An Evening of Smiles” Art Auction & Gala DinnerIn May 2008, Operation Smile Vietnam held its 8th annual Art Auction in Ho Chi Minh City “An Evening of Smiles” at the Park Hyatt Saigon. Sponsors of the event were Unilever Vietnam, Theodore Alexander, Phoenix Voyages Ltd. and Atlas Industries. The event raised an amazing US$119,422. “An Evening of Smiles” began with a welcome cocktail reception and a silent art auction. Guests enjoyed a gala dinner and were shown a moving video that showcased the work of Operation Smile Vietnam. The highlight of the evening was a live art auction of contemporary Vietnamese and European art. Renowned auctioneer Mr. Rob Blain, who began his career auctioneering cattle, set the tone for the evening with his usual charisma and energy. Blain donated his time to the first art auction in HCMC in 2003 and has done every one since, as well as participating in charity auctions in Phnom Penh and Hong Kong. Artists who have consistently contributed their artworks to the event over the years include Huynh Van Phat, Pham Luc, Do Duy Ngoc, Nguyen Thi Tam, Ton That Bang and French artist Helen Kling. Dental Educational School ProgramsThe Dental Educational School Program has been a successful Operation Smile Vietnam program for the past three years. The program is run by volunteer students at UNIS Hanoi. The students are trained by professional dentists who donate their time. These students in turn teach children at orphanages and elementary schools, mostly providing their services voluntarily on weekends. The training covers dental problems, brushing and hygiene as well as general knowledge on how to take care of your teeth and gums properly. In April 2008 the same program started in HCMC with volunteer students from Saigon South International School (SSIS). Then in May & June 2008, the Dental education volunteer team went to SOS and Long Hoa orphanage in HCMC to provide the educational sessions. This community service has been a great success in teaching the importance of healthy teeth and gums to the Vietnamese youth of today. Manulife Vietnam Sponsors the 39th International Mission of Operation Smile in Vung Tau CityManulife Vietnam proudly donated US$10,000 for Operation Smile Vietnam’s 39th Medical Mission. The Medical Mission provided free surgery for 200 Vietnamese children and young adults born with facial deformities. For three consecutive years Manulife Vietnam has made a significant contribution to the funding of these important Medical Missions. The first donation of US$10,000 supported the Operation Smile Medicla Mission in Can Tho Province in April 2001; the second donation of US$17,750 was made to Ho Chi Minh City’s Mission in December 2002. In addition to the financial support offered, a number of dedicated Manulife Vietnam staff and agents have joined these Missions as volunteers to assist the teams with logistics work. “We are very proud of the contribution made by our employees to this extraordinary noble Mission,” said David Matthews, General Manager, Manulife Vietnam. “Together with the highly specialized Medical team, more than 25 staff and agents of Manulife Vietnam have given their time to make a difference to the children.”
Masks by Unilever Vietnam Spread SmilesUnilever Vietnam, a long time supporters of Operation Smile Vietnam, launched an ongoing Friends of Operation Smile Vietnam program called ‘Smile Mask’ in November 2007. Facemasks are commonly worn in Vietnam to protect from pollution when riding on motorbikes, as well guarding against contagion from cold or flu. The cleverly designed Unilever mask is white with a blue smile embroidered on the front. The masks are an initiative of Unilever Vietnam and available for sale for 15,000 Vietnamese Dong each at HSBC front desks and selected supermarkets.
Operation Smile Vietnam Opens First Comprehensive Care Center In HueOperation Smile Vietnam opened its first Comprehensive Care Center in March 2007 in collaboration with the Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology of Hue and the Health Service Department of Thua Thien Hue. The center provides year-round comprehensive care by locally based teams of Operation Smile trained and credentialed Medical professionals in the fields of plastic surgery, dentistry, pediatrics and speech pathology. The center also provides psychosocial services to patients and their families. The center will enable Operation Smile Vietnam to continue to develop its craniofacial and Microsurgery programs and will provide education and training to Medical professionals in Thua Thien Hue and neighboring provinces. This is the first of three centers planned for Vietnam; the others will be located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
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