Springtime sharing in the hospital.

Hundreds of gifts and lucky money envelopes have been distributed to patients and many disadvantaged individuals by treatment facilities and philanthropists as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches.

The joys are shared during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Over 900 gift packages, totaling more than 200 million VND, along with 500 sticky rice cakes and lucky money envelopes, were distributed by hospital leaders, volunteer youth union members, and many philanthropists to patients receiving treatment at Hanoi Medical University Hospital, K Tan Trieu Hospital, Hanoi Mental Hospital, dialysis patients in the community, homeless people, and many other disadvantaged individuals.

These gifts, while contributing a small amount of material value, also carry a source of emotional encouragement, helping patients alleviate feelings of loneliness during the Lunar New Year holidays when they are far from their families. For many undergoing long-term treatment, the Lunar New Year is a sensitive time, when health concerns intertwine with economic burdens and homesickness.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa (57 years old, residing in Phu Thuong ward, Hanoi) shared that she was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to the bones at the end of March 2025. She is currently receiving treatment at K Hospital and is almost unable to work, while the cost of treatment is very high.

Gifts intended to offer encouragement were shared with many patients.

“Treatment like mine is very expensive. Currently, I can't help my family with anything, so everything depends on relatives. During my treatment, I was informed that I would receive support, which made me very happy. I think this is a very humane activity, helping to share with patients in difficult circumstances like us. I hope there will be more compassionate hearts to help those with serious illnesses,” said Mrs. Hoa.

Sharing a similar experience, Mr. Dang Quang Trinh (from Kien Xuong, Thai Binh province ), a patient with colon cancer that has metastasized to the lungs, said that he has been receiving treatment at K Hospital for nearly 3 years now, currently undergoing chemotherapy every 20 days.

“My family is also in a difficult situation. Thanks to the support of the hospital and sponsors, I was notified today to come and receive gifts. This is a great source of encouragement for patients like us, helping everyone to have more spirit and strength to continue treatment,” Mr. Minh shared.

The teachers and students of the Medical University participated in wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) as gifts for patients undergoing treatment during the Tet holiday.

Alongside the gift-giving to patients, the volunteer students quietly but warmly prepared for the upcoming Tet holiday, engaging in fundraising activities and mobilizing community support to create gifts that would be somewhat sufficient for patients during the days leading up to Tet.

At Hanoi Psychiatric Hospital, preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year) began early. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Giang, a nurse in Ward H, said that the Board of Directors and various departments had proactively organized many activities such as preparing sweets, fruits, cultural performances, and participating with patients in making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes).

“This is a deeply traditional activity that helps patients immerse themselves in the Tet atmosphere, feeling the joy and warmth of being at home. Among the patients staying in the hospital, many are in very difficult circumstances, undergoing long-term treatment, and their families are unable to bring them home for Tet. While staying in the hospital, patients receive close care from doctors and nurses, their spirits are more stable, and they feel more at ease,” Ms. Giang shared.

Doctors and medical staff participated in making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), sharing the festive atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

According to Dr. Do Van Thang, Deputy Director of Hanoi Mental Hospital, for mental health patients, a vulnerable group in society, the meaning of Tet (Lunar New Year) becomes even more special. After treatment, many can return home to their families, but many patients have to stay in the hospital because their condition is not yet stable or due to difficult circumstances.

"Every year, we always try to ensure that patients have a happy and warm Tet holiday, helping them alleviate anxiety and thus feel more at ease to receive better treatment," shared Dr. Do Van Thang.

Year after year, the "Tet for Patients" program has continuously expanded in both scale and scope. While previously its activities were mainly concentrated in a few hospitals, in recent years it has gone beyond inpatient treatment, reaching out to outpatients, patients in dialysis centers, and the homeless.

This year marks the 10th consecutive year that Vietnam-Japan Medical Cooperation Joint Stock Company (VJIIC) has partnered with the program, providing various forms of support, from gifts to moral encouragement to material assistance.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, Director of Vietnam-Japan Medical Cooperation Joint Stock Company (VJIIC), said that many patients who have to stay in the hospital often feel disadvantaged, so the gifts from the company, although not large, are aimed at encouraging them, which is very important for their morale and helps them have more motivation during treatment.

For medical students, each "Tet for Patients" season is also a profound lesson. Le Tien Thanh, a volunteer student from Hanoi Medical University, said that before the program, they prepare Tet gifts, train in the skills of wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), and practice musical performances to bring a joyful atmosphere to the patients.

The program featured various artistic performances.

“By volunteering at various hospitals, I've come to understand the true meaning of the medical profession and the disadvantages faced by patients in difficult circumstances. This has helped me appreciate the path I'm pursuing even more and motivate me to study hard and cultivate medical ethics so that I can better care for patients in the future,” Tiến Thành shared.

From small gifts and traditional rice cakes to the compassionate presence of doctors and students, "Tet for the Sick" has become a bridge connecting the classroom and the hospital, the community and those less fortunate.

After many years of perseverance, the program not only brings Tet (Lunar New Year) to patients but also contributes to sowing seeds of compassion and nurturing a sense of social responsibility in future generations of doctors.

DO BAO - PHUC LINH - KHANH LY

Source: https://nhandan.vn/xuan-se-chia-noi-benh-vien-post942366.html