Hundreds of young patients attend Sun of Hope festival in Hanoi

The event at Hanoi Children's Hospital featured games, performances and gifts for children undergoing treatment, alongside donations of medical equipment and facilities.

Hundreds of pediatric patients took part in the Sun of Hope festival at Hanoi Children's Hospital on Nov. 7, where organizers arranged games, performances and gifts to provide entertainment for children undergoing treatment.

The event was organized by Hope Foundation in coordination with the hospital and MUFG Bank Ltd.'s Hanoi Branch.

Activity booths across the hospital grounds offered statue painting, sand art, ring toss and balloon twisting, alongside a food area. The program aimed to give children a recreational space outside hospital wards and help ease the stress associated with prolonged treatment.

Le Thi Thuy, 42, who attended with her son, said the activities offered them a welcome break from hospital treatment. Her 13-year-old son, Phi Ngoc Bao, has kidney failure and congenital cerebral palsy and cannot walk independently. The family has been coming to the hospital for treatment three times a week since May.

"Today I brought him down to the lobby earlier than usual to watch the magic show. These activities help him forget some of the pain after dialysis," Thuy said.

As part of the event, MUFG Bank's Hanoi Branch, through Hope Foundation, donated an indoor playground, five trees and six electric syringe pumps to the hospital, as well as hundreds of gifts for patients. The sponsorship was valued at VND250 million (US$9,770).

Yohei Ota (R), deputy general manager of MUFG Bank Ltd.'s Hanoi Branch, presents the sponsorship to a representative of Hanoi Children's Hospital. Photo by Nga Thanh

Yohei Ota, deputy general manager of MUFG Bank's Hanoi Branch, said the bank hoped to make practical contributions to the community.

"We are very honored to accompany Hope Foundation and Hanoi Children's Hospital in bringing joy and sharing to the children and families with children undergoing treatment at the hospital," he said.

Dr. Ngo Quang Hung, director of Hanoi Children's Hospital, said the support would help improve hospital facilities and ease the psychological burden on patients' families.

"Community sharing embodies the philosophy we pursue - making every effort so that fewer children need to come to the hospital," he said.

Support for pediatric patients is part of Hope Foundation's Sun of Hope program, launched in 2021. The program has supported treatment for more than 3,500 young patients and provided emotional support to thousands of others.

Readers can support children through the Sun of Hope program.