HÀ NỘI — The organisers of the Hà Nội Formula 1 race have agreed to support the work of a charity in Việt Nam.

The Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC), promoter of the Formula 1 VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix 2020, will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today with leading British international charity Facing the World (FTW), to continue the charity's work with children with facial differences in Việt Nam.

Both parties will commit to work together to help FTW’s medical experts run volunteer programmes in Việt Nam and also to facilitate the international educational exchange programme for doctors from Hà Nội’s three main craniofacial centres with leading institutions in the UK, US and Canada.

VGPC will also use its platform to increase awareness of the plight of many children in need of life changing surgical intervention in Viêt Nam and beyond while helping raise funds to cover the operating costs for children. 

The MOU will be signed at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in the presence of representatives from the UK, Canadian and US embassies, government organisations and FTW’s partners such as Hồng Ngọc Corporation and Vietnam Airlines. 

The occurrence of birth defects in Việt Nam is estimated to be 10 times higher than in neighbouring countries. FTW’s plan for the next five years in Viet Nam is to train 200 more doctors and perform 40,000 operations. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the CEO of the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation, Lê Ngọc Chi said: “We feel privileged to team up with Facing the World by tackling a cause that is close to the hearts of so many Vietnamese citizens.

"F1 is going to be one of the most prestigious international sporting events ever seen in Viet Nam, we want to use this opportunity to help raise awareness and vital funds for procedures that will improve the lives of so many children as well as supporting the education and research of the medical practitioners carrying out this noble work.”

Katrin Kandel, CEO (Voluntary) and Trustee at Facing the World, also commented: “The charity’s international team from medical institutions across the UK, Canada, the US and Việt Nam all share the dedication and passion to help children born with facial differences. 

"FTW and its partners have collaborated to create the first blueprint for replicable craniofacial centres which, once fully up and running will be able to treat 60 per cent of all new facial birth defects in Việt Nam.

"The charity has a clear vision for a sustainable healthcare solution and I can’t thank F1 Vietnam Grand Prix enough for its support.”

Kandel also thanked Vietnam Airlines for providing free airline tickets to bring experts to Viet Nam to participate in the charity programme and training courses.

Việt Nam will host its first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in Hà Nội in April 2020. — VNS