Handover of Rehabilitation Equipment to Hue City Social Protection Center
Hue City, November 18, 2025 – The Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam (MCNV), in collaboration with the Hue City Social Protection Center (SPC), held a Handover Ceremony of Rehabilitation Equipment to the Center.
Mr.Pham Dung, MCNV Chief of Representative Office, hands over the donation to Mr.Ngo Duy Binh, Director of Hue SPC.
This activity is carried out within the framework of the Master Project “Improving the Quality of Life of Persons with disabilities in provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange” – (Inclusion Project) – Inclusion 1 Project Component.
The event was attended by Mr.Ho Quang Minh, Head of the Social Protection Office, Hue City Department of Health; Mr.Pham Dung, MCNV Chief of Representative Office, Mr.Ngo Duy Binh, Director of Hue City SPC and related agencies.
Testing a multi-functional medical bed.
The equipment package donated by Inclusion 1 Project to the Hue City SPC includes 10 treadmills, 10 exercise bikes, 05 multi-functional medical beds, and 05 sets of multi-functional rehabilitation exercise equipment, with a total value of approximately US$ 18,900 (482,000,000 VND).
The Hue City SPC currently provides rehabilitation for 500 persons with neuropsychiatric disabilities. The rehabilitation equipment supported by the Inclusion 1 Project will contribute to improving the quality of rehabilitation services and promoting social inclusion for the Center’s beneficiaries.
The Hue City SPC currently provides rehabilitation for 500 persons with neuropsychiatric disabilities.
The Inclusion 1 Project is funded by the U.S. Government and owned by the National Action Center for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment. The Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population is the managing partner. MCNV is one of the implementing partners responsible for providing rehabilitation services and professional capacity building of healthworkers on rehabilitation.
The project is implemented over five years, from 2022 to 2026, in Quang Tri Province, Hue City, and Da Nang City with the overall objective of improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in provinces heavily sprayed with Agent Orange.
The Project has four objectives (1) To expand health and rehabilitation services to improve health status and quality of life of persons with disabilities; (2) To expand care and social services for persons with disabilities; (3) To improve policies and raising awareness, improving public attitudes and ensuring social inclusion of persons with disabilities;(4) To enhance the capacity for managing, implementing, and delivering support services for persons with disabilities at all levels.
As of the end of October 2025, the Inclusion 1/Project – MCNV component has provided rehabilitation and care services to about 2,500 persons with disabilities; trained 650 times of healthcare workers in professional rehabilitation techniques, and supported capacity building for 27 health facilities./.
Back Into the Light: The Inclusion 1 Project Helps a Young Man Rebuild His Life After Disability
At the age of 20, Ho Van Doai, a young ethnic Bru Van Kieu man from Xa Lang hamlet in Quang Tri province, stood on the threshold of a bright future, full of dreams and possibility.
Then, in 2022, fate intervened: a sudden disability left Doai paralyzed. Overnight, his world shrank, confined to a small, cramped wooden room lit only by a dim overhead bulb. Imprisoned in his bed, fully reliant on his mother’s unwavering care, Doai watched his life drift by, day after day, without any prospect of change.
Before support arrived, Doai lay on his bed in a small room, unable to move or take part in daily life outside (Credit: Dam Mai/MCNV)
His mother’s love was boundless, but she lacked the essential tools, the know-how, and, crucially, the hope. Feeding, cleaning, and supporting Doai were all done flat on the bed—no rehabilitation, no expectation of a different life. The crushing silence of abandonment seemed to settle over their home.
Then, the intervention arrived. Since July 7, 2025, the Inclusion 1 project—implemented by Medisch Comité Nederland -Vietnam (MCNV) with support from the US government—reached out.
Every weekend, a dedicated team of technicians and rehabilitation specialists braved steep hills and rough roads to reach Doai’s small house. They began with a thorough assessment. They initiated a rehabilitation plan, provided essential assistive devices, and, perhaps most pivotally, they taught Doai to believe again.
A custom-made rope was fixed, allowing him to pull himself into a sitting position for the first time in years. His mother was enrolled in a comprehensive caregiver training course, reinforced by visits from a nurse at the district health center. She learned to help Doai sit up, to transfer him safely into a project-provided wheelchair, and to push him to the bathroom for a proper shower. For the first time in three years, Doai felt the cool, cleansing rush of water instead of being merely wiped down.
With new skills and assistive support, Doai now enjoys sitting outside in his wheelchair, greeting the world with a bright smile (Credit: Ho Huu Nhan/MCNV)
Today, every morning, Doai is wheeled to the threshold of his house, his wheelchair positioned in the sunlight. He breathes the open air. The dim bulb of his former confinement is now eclipsed by the brightness of the front yard and the possibilities that remain. Challenges related to mobility, accessibility, and livelihoods still lie ahead, but the journey has begun, and the shadow has definitively lifted.
During Quarter 3/2025, thanks to the Inclusion 1 Project, more than 300 people with disabilities in Quang Tri province, Hue, and Da Nang cities received crucial home-based rehabilitation services. Meanwhile, over 250 people received assistive, orthotic, and prosthetic devices to significantly improve their activities of daily living and overall quality of life.
The Inclusion 1 Project is funded by the U.S. Government and owned by the National Action Center for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET). The Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) serves as the managing partner. MCNV is one of the implementing partners responsible for delivering rehabilitation services and providing professional capacity building for health workers./.
A Trusted MCNV Program in a New Form: A Sustainable Future for 300 Poor Farming Families in Huong Phung and Huong Lap
For many years, we’ve made a real difference together in the lives of people in Vietnam. Thanks to ongoing commitment and perseverance from our donors and other sponsors, countless families have been able to make a fresh start. Now, it’s time to take the next step.
In January 2026, a new three-year program will launch in Quang Tri province. In this remote region, the majority of families live in poverty, often with little hope for improvement. Our focus will be on 300 households in the villages of Huong Phung and Huong Lap — families from ethnic minority communities with limited access to jobs, education, or healthcare.
The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. Thanks to the experience gained from previous initiatives like PROSPER (a forestry program in Quang Tri) and BIJPO (creating jobs and income for the poorest women in Phu Yen), we know where the strength lies: in the people themselves, in working together, and in making the most of local resources such as bamboo, rattan, honey, medicinal herbs, and other valuable forest products.
We are building on a strong foundation
This new program will offer 300 households intensive support to develop and strengthen small-scale farming, along with additional income-generating activities such as sustainable harvesting of forest products, animal husbandry, cultivation of medicinal plants, and processing and selling local goods.
This will always be done in close collaboration with local partners and village communities, ensuring the approach truly meets the needs and opportunities of the region.
The program is sustainable, inclusive, and built on lessons learned from past success. As a result, families can not only increase their income, but also gradually move towards more independence and a stable, dignified life.
Help 300 Households Build a Self-Reliant Future
As a committed supporter, you know how MCNV works: practical, thoughtful, and always in close cooperation with the people involved. This new program follows the same path — giving families in Huong Phung and Huong Lap the opportunity to build their own income and escape the cycle of poverty. It’s a proven approach — offering fresh hope to a region that still urgently needs support.
Preparations are already in full swing. To be ready to start in January, we need some additional financial space.
Every extra donation, big or small, gives these families a real chance at a better future.
Thank you so much for your support — past, present, and hopefully, in the future as well.
With warm regards,
Karin Vlug
MCNV honored with Prime Minister’s Certificate of Merit
In recognition for MCNV’s significant contribution to Vietnam, the organization has been honored with a prestigious Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister. The award, presented on the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 2025), places MCNV among a group of eight international NGOs to receive this prestigious award.
(Video made from photos contributed by the Economics and Urban News/Action Aid)
The award was presented at a special event titled “Meeting and Tribute to International Friends,” co-hosted by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ceremony drew over 100 distinguished guests, including several government officials: Mr. Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Phan Anh Son, President of the VUFO.
Government Officials and representatives of international NGOs and individual friends at the ceremony. Photo: Quang Vinh/Tien Phong News
In his speech, Mr. Do Van Chien reflected on the vital role of international support in Vietnam’s history, noting, “During the period of national reconstruction, our international friends helped us build numerous infrastructure projects, including factories, schools, and hospitals, making a positive contribution to Vietnam’s development.”
The Certificate of Merit presented to MCNV recognizes the substantial contribution of the organization to Vietnam through different periods, from the struggle for national independence and reunification to the country’s current path of sustainable development and global integration.
The Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister is a testament to our contributions over a significant part of Vietnam’s 80-year journey which we’ve been a part of since 1968. This recognition inspires us to strengthen our commitment to Vietnam even further.
Mr.Do Van Chien, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, delivers his speech. Photo: VUFO.
On this occasion, MCNV would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Vietnam, ministries, agencies, local authorities, partners, and especially the people of Vietnam, and the people of Vietnam for their trust and collaboration in over 57 years.
Let’s celebrate this milestone of MCNV via this video attached which highlighted the ceremony and in particular, the Certificate of Merit, which prominently features our full, original name: Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam.
MCNV’ s accomplishments would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of thousands of MCNV’s cherished colleagues and friends. Whether you are currently with MCNV or were a part of our journey in the past, your contributions are an inseparable and eternal part of our endeavors and a continuous source of inspiration for our future.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions, your attention, and the inspiration you provide to MCNV. We wish you all the very best and look forward to sharing with you more positive news in the time to come!
On this occasion, let’s look at some of the key contribution of MCNV to Vietnam since 1968:
- 1968-1975: Emergency aid:
- 1977: Construction of the first General Hospital for Quang Tri:
- 1980s: National-scale tuberculosis and malaria prevention program.
- 1990s – Present: Social Inclusion, Health Development, Climate Change Adaptation, Livelihoods and Value Chain Development
Social Inclusion & Health Development:
Home-based Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation
Providing orthosis device to person with disability
Livelihoods and Value Chain Development & Climate Change Adaptation
Mushroom plantation to generate income for poor women
Indigenous tree (tung tree) plantation.
Bamboo straw making – livelihood for people of ethnic minorities.
Disaster Relief Support:
Connecting Localities with International NGOs for Sustainable Development
On August 26, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a conference in Hanoi to meet with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in Vietnam. The conference, themed “Connecting Localities with INGOs for Vietnam’s Sustainable Development,” was attended by more than 100 delegates representing central and local government agencies, along with nearly 60 INGOs active in the country.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van poses with conference delegates for a group photo. Photo Credit: The World and Vietnam News
This event was part of a series of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 – August 28, 2025). Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Committee for INGO Affairs (COMINGO), Mr. Ngo Le Van, chaired the conference.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van praised the vital role INGOs play in promoting sustainable development in local communities and expressed deep appreciation for their long-termand contributions. He also shared his hope that the conference would generate new ideas for cooperation between INGOs and local governments. He highlighted three key priority areas for collaboration: digital and high technology transition, the green and circular economy, and holistic human and social development.
The event was chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGOs Affairs, Mr. Ngo Le Van. Photo: MCNV
The Deputy Minister affirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, COMINGO, and other government agencies to create the most favorable conditions for INGOs operating in Vietnam. He expressed confidence that “the road ahead will be filled with many successful partnerships, contributing to Vietnam’s prosperous development.”
The conference also featured two specialized discussion sessions, which were respectively titled “Orientation and Assessment of Localities’ Needs for INGO Assistance in addressing Social Issues in the New Context,” and “Orientation and Assessment of Localities’ Needs for INGO Assistance in promoting Sustainable Economic Development in the New Context.”
(From the left) Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs of Cao Bang, MCNV, the Norwegian People’s Aid participate in Thematic Discussion Session 1.
Representatives from Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, and Dong Nai provinces, along with several INGOs—including MCNV, Norwegian People’s Aid Vietnam, Save the Children International, Worldwide Fund for Nature Vietnam, ICRAF Vietnam, ActionAid Vietnam, and World Vision International—participated in the discussions.
During these sessions, local representatives candidly presented their urgent needs, such as developing healthcare, education, human resource training, and climate change response support. They also expressed a strong desire to collaborate closely with INGOs to build sustainable development models. In turn, INGO representatives commended Vietnam’s efforts to improve the cooperative environment and facilitate their projects. The organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting Vietnam in various priority sectors and proposed several solutions to enhance operational efficiency in the coming period./.
24 Health Facilities Guided On Multidisciplinary Rehab for Musculoskeletal Conditions
A series of technical meetings was organized by MCNV on August 16–17, 2025, providing guidance on implementing a multidisciplinary rehabilitation service delivery model at healthcare facilities for persons with musculoskeletal disabilities.
Deputy Director of the Hue City Department of Health, Dr. Hoang Trong Quy (Specialist Level II), giving an opening remark at the meeting.
The meetings were attended by 92 healthcare workers, including doctors and technicians from rehabilitation units of 24 health facilities in Quang Trị province, and in Hue city and Da Nang city.
The activity was organized as part of the Inclusion 1 Project, Phase July 2025–March 2026. Deputy Director of the Quang Tri Provincial Department of Health, Dr. Ha Lam Chi (Specialist Level II), and Deputy Director of the Hue City Department of Health, Dr. Hoang Trong Quy (Specialist Level II), attended the events and gave the opening remarks.
Deputy Director of the Quang Tri Provincial Department of Health, Dr. Ha Lam Chi (Level II Specialist), giving an opening remark at the meeting.
The meeting provided in-depth guidance on how to implement the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team (MDT) model for persons with disabilities caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The main topics included:
- International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): The approach and application in setting objectives and evaluating outcomes of treatment and MDT interventions.
- Updates on diagnostic criteria and principles of rehabilitation treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
- Guidance on functional assessment tools for patients.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Dao Vu, Deputy Director of the Rehabilitation Center at Bach Mai Hospital, presenting at the technical meeting in Hue city on August 17.
The sessions were presented and discussed by members of the model’s Supervisory Board, who are leading experts in the field of rehabilitation medicine (doctors), physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing from:
- Bach Mai Hospital
- National Geriatric Hospital
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy
- Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Hai Duong Medical Technical University
The technical meeting is a crucial preparatory first step, aiming to help the health facilities participating in the MDT model understand the process and the model implementation methods. Capacity-building activities for the participating healthcare workers will continue to be carried out through online training sessions, meetings, and on-site supervisory visits with the guidance and professional advice of the Supervisory Board.
From 2022 to 2024, within the framework of the Inclusion 1 Project, MCNV supported 16 health facilities in Quang Tri province, Hue city, and Da Nang city (Quang Nam province before merging) to implement the MDT model and provide MDT services to 700 persons with disabilities caused by stroke. In 2025, MCNV will expand this model to support people with musculoskeletal disabilities at 11 additional health facilities, bringing the total number of rehabilitation units participating in MDT services to 24 in Phase 2B.
About the Inclusion 1 Project, Phase 2B:
- Donor: The Government of the United States
- Project Owner: The National Action Center for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET)
- Managing Partner: Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP)
- Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam (MCNV) is one of the implementing partners.
More photos:
MSc. Dr. Ha Chan Nhan, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, presenting on the ICF in Quang Tri province on August 16.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Dao Vu, Deputy Director of the Rehabilitation Center, Bach Mai Hospital, providing guidance for doctors from Da Nang city.
Dr. Luu Thi Thuy (center), Head of the Nursing Department, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, providing guidance to nurses in Hue city.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuc, National Geriatric Hospital, providing guidance to Occupational Therapists in Hue city.
Speech and Language Therapy: Incredible Changes
“For me, this course not only opened the door to a new specialization but also brought a life-changing turning point,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Minh, a trainee of the speech and language therapy training course organized by MCNV at the end of June 2025 as part of the Inclusion IIb Project.
My name is Nguyen Thi Kim Minh. I am currently working as a rehabilitation technician at Hoai An District Health Center (former Binh Dinh province).
In July 2024, after a right styloidectomy surgery, I encountered difficulties in communication and daily activities. I began to speak with a lisp. Eating became a struggle; I had reflux with food and liquid coming back up through my nose, similar to those with a cleft palate.
No matter how hard I tried to repeat myself, people could not get what I meant. I lost my confidence and became frustrated. My colleagues had to handle all the communication with my patients on my behalf. I even avoided verbal communication with family and friends.
Ms. Kim Minh provides rehabilitation service for a patient.
I went to various healthcare facilities and consulted numerous specialists, but no one could figure out the cause. I found it so disheartening and exhausting to be a rehabilitation technician myself but unable to find a solution for my own problems.
By researching, I had a vague idea that certain Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) techniques could help my condition. However, SALT services were mainly available in big cities, which made them very difficult for me to access.
In June 2025, I was informed of a training course for health professionals on SALT, jointly organized by MCNV and Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy (UMP) within the Inclusion IIb project. As a rehabilitation technician, I thought this would be helpful for my work and also saw it as a chance to seek a solution to my own problems. I quickly registered and was fortunate to be one of the 30 health professionals selected to participate in the course.
During the five-day course (June 25-29, 2025), I acquired so much valuable knowledge. We learned how to communicate with children with autism in theory and participated in preclinical and clinical practice. The learning process was so enjoyable under the thorough guidance of two dedicated instructors, who meticulously answered every question we had.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Minh (second from left) during a group discussion of the 5-day speech and language therapy course.
When I shared my personal struggle, Ms. Luong Thi Cam Van, the Vice Head of the Rehabilitation Department, Head of the SALT Division, Da Nang UMP, spent time to assess my situation. It turned out that my lisping and choking were due to a weak soft palate and pharyngeal muscles, leading to the sounds being emitted nasally, making eating and drinking difficult as well.
After a thorough assessment, Ms. Van guided me through a series of specific SALT exercises, such as practicing precise pronunciation and combining exercises with the purpose of improving awareness and distinguishing the difference between the high-pressure sounds like /b/, /p/, /k/, and /t/ with my nose blocked and unblocked. The exercises were designed to strengthen the muscles involved in closing the soft palate, which helped me gradually learn to navigate airflow through my mouth instead of my nose, reducing nasal air leakage.
I diligently followed her instructions. I recalled how I used to encourage my own patients to be persistent with their physical therapy, and I told myself: “Be perseverant, you’ll see the change!” With that in mind, I dedicated myself to practicing pronunciation every morning, every night, and whenever I had a free moment, without missing a single day.
I could see my improvement with each passing day. After just one week, my condition had significantly improved. Within 20 days, I had fully recovered my ability to speak and swallow. My pronunciation was clear, the lisp was gone, and I no longer worried about choking. My life was back to normal as if I had never had any difficulties with communication and daily activities.
On the day I realized my miraculous recovery, it felt so incredible that I could not sleep. It all felt like a dream, as I had never believed a full recovery was possible. Not just me, but everyone around me – my family, friends, and colleagues – were astonished and overjoyed. If I hadn’t told them, new acquaintances wouldn’t even know I once struggled with communication. To this day, I still maintain a regular exercise routine to ensure the recovered muscles don’t weaken again.
Ms. Luong Thi Cam Van (far right) and Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Minh (third from right) at the course closing ceremony.
I am so grateful to Ms. Van and feel incredibly lucky to have participated in the MCNV’s training. My personal experience has shown me the miraculous impact of SALT and the profound meaning of rehabilitation for those struggling with the same challenges.
My personal experience with SALT is now an endless driving force pushing me forward in my continuous learning journey. I will try my best to improve my professional skills so that I can help others facing obstacles in communication and daily living achieve the same life-changing progress that Ms. Van helped me realize.
About Inclusion IIb Project:
