CSVN Vietnam 2023 Team USA 🇻🇳 🇺🇸

  We closed out the 2023 screening in the Ha Tinh Province.  Ha Tinh is located in Central Vietnam approximately 300 km south of Hanoi.  This province was unique in that we held the screenings at a Private Hospital TTH.  There is a growing trend of private hospitals in Vietnam which are for profit facilities offering full line services with a focus on patient service and state of art equipment.   Our 2 days of clinic were very busy screening over 300 children. Click READ MORE for photos and Google Photos links. Google photo’s links: Day 1:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/3wnZFEsUwWtDomjU9 Day 2:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/shEHhKVgPpjkjdhh6

We closed out our visit to Quang Binh Province in the Dong Hoi district.  During this visit there was a high percentage of children with cerebral palsy and eye conditions in addition to several new and follow-up visits for cleft lip and cleft palate.  Click READ MORE for photos and link to Google Photos. Google photo link:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/wSqq7GTFkNykqGg56

Attended my first wedding in Vietnam.  Vietnamese tradition is you first are received at the brides family home, from there the groom and his family come to greet the family and guests.  After a few ceremonial traditions including paying respect to ancestors and parents a small reception and music follows.  From there the entire party proceeds to the home of the groom for more celebrations, food and music.  Unlike in the US the ceremony and reception is held at the bride and groom’s family home.  Typically they set up a tent in the street in front of the house to host the guest. A few more things that are different, they have a wedding cake, the bride and groom cut the cake but the cake is not served to the guest.  They have karaoke but no dancing.  Finally, it was an early morning start after late night celebrating the night  before with our host family.  The wedding was at 11:00 but we were awoken at 6:00am for breakfast as we had to be at ...

  Day 3 in Quang Binh Province we visited the Quang Ninh district.   In addition to multiple follow-up visits for Cleft Lip repair we saw many patients with extra digits on the hand.   Some times you wonder what attributes to these types of regional defects. Click READ MORE for photos and link to Google Photos. Google photo’s link:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ADusnqKrcXZ61AeX8

Quang Binh Province is located in central Vietnam, bordering Laos to the west and the sea to the east.  As you move inland from the ocean the region offers beautiful hills and mountains,  which accounts for over 85% of the province.   Within the mountains the area is world famous for the large caves.  The capital Dong Hoi is a base for accessing the Phong Nah-Ka Bang National Park, featuring mountainous jungle and many limestone caves including the massive Son Doong Cave. Click READ MORE for photos and link to Google Photos. Google Photos link:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/osjbL2oUw8QH2ZWW8

Day 2 of our Quang Binh Province visit was in the Minh Hoa District.  What stood out today was 2 cases of Port Wine Stain birthmarks.  It turns out that this condition is rather rare in Vietnam.   With my limited knowledge of the condition I was able provide some assistance with the diagnosis which lead to additional research on the condition and proper treatment.   But to have 2 cases of a rare condition one the same day was surprising.   In addition we had many patients with extra fingers and toes.  Great mix of Happy babies.  Click READ MORE for photos and link to Google Photos.   Google Photo link:   https://photos.app.goo.gl/pUfdfmacBckdCyrc7

  After a few weeks off due some schedule changes it felt so good to be back on the road with the children again.   This week we are in the Quang Binh Province which is in Central Vietnam.  Our first clinic was in the Bo Trach District.  Another great mix is cases, the patient who touched me the most was a girl with Cerebral Palsy who is doing good and will get even better with more physical therapy.  As you will see in the photos and videos she is full of joy.   She became my buddy and would follow me around and laugh,  her grandfather love it.   For photos and Google Photos link click READ MORE.  Google Photo’s Link:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/KnEBtSixXPbqLQFk6