At the Australia Vietnam Friendship Society, we admire and celebrate initiatives that foster better health and quality of life for the people of Vietnam. One organisation that has made a profound difference is The Fred Hollows Foundation, which has been working in Vietnam for over 30 years to eliminate avoidable blindness and improve eye health.
A Vision Transformed
When Professor Fred Hollows first visited Vietnam in 1992, there were just two cataract surgeons in the country. Today, thanks to the Foundation’s support and training, over 1,000 surgeons perform more than 250,000 cataract surgeries annually.
Their work goes far beyond surgery. The Foundation supports:
- Training eye health workers across 20 provinces
- Providing critical equipment and improving clinic infrastructure
- Expanding access to cataract treatment, refractive error services, and trachoma surgery
- Advancing education around diabetic retinopathy and early detection
- Promoting equitable care for women, children, ethnic minorities, and people in remote communities
Eye Health Milestones in Vietnam
In 2024 alone, The Foundation and its partners:
- Screened over 3.1 million people
- Delivered more than 137,000 eye operations and treatments
- Distributed over 86,000 pairs of glasses
- Trained nearly 20,000 people, including healthcare workers and teachers
- Reached 1.7 million students and community members with eye health education
With trachoma now close to elimination in Vietnam, the nation is nearing a major public health victory—made possible through decades of collaborative work between local health authorities and global partners.
To explore the full extent of The Fred Hollows Foundation’s work in Vietnam, including videos, patient stories, and data, visit their dedicated country page:
👉 Fred Hollows Foundation – Vietnam