On December 16, 2025, Heartbeat Vietnam and Scar of Life mark a significant milestone with life-saving surgery support provided to 12,000 children with congenital heart defects from underprivileged families. The programs also express gratitude to the generous donors, local authorities, medical teams, fundraising partners, celebrities, and influencers who have accompanied Heartbeat Vietnam and Scar of Life programs throughout nearly two decades of restoring healthy hearts to children across the country.
Since its establishment in 2006, Heartbeat Vietnam program of the VinaCapital Foundation and, later, in collaboration with our trusted local partner – Scar of Life program of Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise, have remained committed to improving access to timely medical treatment for children born with congenital heart defects across Vietnam. Over nearly two decades of working alongside pediatric patients and their families, the program has supported 12,000 children with cardiac interventions and surgeries – enabling them to continue their education, grow up healthier, and nurture their hopes for the future.
The 12,000th heart: The journey of A Ja Pan
A Ja Pan, a 14-year-old Xo Dang boy from Quang Ngai, is the 12,000th case supported by Heartbeat Vietnam. After experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath, and being unable to keep up with his friends, his family took him to Gia Lai Children’s Hospital in August 2025. Doctors suspected a congenital heart defect and advised transferring him to Ho Chi Minh City for treatment. In October 2025, at Cho Ray Hospital, he was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and scheduled for surgery.
Ja Pan is the second child in a family of six siblings. He is in ninth grade, maintains good academic performance, and especially loves English. Inspired by a doctor who once visited his village, he dreams of becoming a doctor to care for children in remote areas. His family lives in a village about 80 km from the center of Kon Tum Province and relies mainly on rubber tapping, with unstable income depending on the weather.
Each time they traveled to Ho Chi Minh City for medical appointments, he and his father took a bus for nearly 12 hours. Afraid of becoming a burden to his parents, he once considered giving up the surgery. Thanks to timely sponsorship, he received the treatment he needed and can continue pursuing his dream of going to school.
A journey to bring healthy heartbeats to every Vietnamese child
Beyond financial support, VinaCapital Foundation and Vietnam Children’s Fund social enterprise partner with hospitals to conduct congenital heart defect screenings in remote and underserved areas. This effort helps detect undiagnosed cases early, giving many children the chance to receive timely treatment.
In Vietnam, surgery for common congenital heart defects such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, or patent ductus arteriosus costs between 50 and 230 million VND. Complex conditions such as Tetralogy of Fallot, single ventricle, or cases with multiple complications may require 300 to 500 million VND, a burden far beyond the means of many low-income families, even with health insurance. With medical advancements, heart transplants and advanced interventions for severe cases are increasingly possible, yet they come with very high costs, creating further barriers for disadvantaged families.
Each year, nearly 15,000 children in Vietnam are born with heart defects, many of whom would not survive without timely treatment. For a child born with a congenital heart defect, life-saving surgery is more than the chance to survive, grow up healthy, go back to school, and pursue their dreams. Healing a child’s heart not only gives them a second chance at life but also opens a path to sustainable poverty alleviation for thousands of families, contributing to the shared goal of ensuring that no child is left behind.
“For almost 20 years, through the shared journey of the Heartbeat Vietnam and Scar of Life programs, our mission has remained unchanged: no child is left behind for any reason. Thanks to the support from our local authorities, donors, medical teams, and communities, we have reached the milestone of 12,000 hearts healed. This is a testimony to the power of compassion, commitment, and collaboration when they come together. Our stakeholders are restoring hope, strengthening families, and contributing to healthier communities and a more prosperous Vietnam,” – shared Rad Kivette, CEO of the VinaCapital Foundation.
