I was born in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) in 1946 to a poor farmer as the oldest son. My mother died when I was 5 and my father remarried. My family was not rich, so I studied very hard for my future when I was small. In 1968, I entered a medical school and studied medicine for seven years at university. When I look back it, it was a miracle that I could study medicine.

After graduation, I started to work at a children’s hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Later, I moved to another medical institution in the city. For 10 years between 1982 and 1992, I worked for the administration office of a medical organization. After that, I served as head of the service office of a medical institution in the city for several years.

After being engaged in the medical field for 17 years, I learned that the number of heart surgeries that could be carried out in Vietnam was limited and I felt anger as a doctor knowing that patients who couldn’t have the operation had no choice but to die. Since that time, I came to feel the necessity to increase the number of hospitals that treat heart diseases. In 2006, I finally established a hospital that specializes in cardiac surgery.

In launching the hospital, many of my fellow doctors supported my idea and I could raise funds from 224 people. In addition, I received assistance from the national government. In running the hospital, we needed not only staff but also a group of experts to gain patient trust. To this end, we have gained the support of a medical institution in France and every day we strive to improve our medical technology.

I would like to obtain even higher technological skills in order to cure all heart-related diseases. And not only in Vietnam. I want to launch medical clinics in neighboring poor countries like Cambodia and Laos. As a doctor, the ultimate joy I feel is when I can save lives.