Vietnam 2025

Team Cleft Repair's third trip to Vietnam included dozens of life-changing operations for patients both new and returning. Among the cases were a young girl with a facial scar from an accident, a patient with a bilateral cleft lip, two siblings who suffer from multiple birth defects, and a set of triplets who the team first operated on during their first medical mission.

As always, the mission included more than just medical care. The team brought arms full of gifts—shoes, hats, clean clothes, milk, toys—to their families. Plus, the lessons taught to local staff will sustain the team’s mark long beyond their week-long trip.

“We return home with hands tired but spirits full. For each patient, each parent, each child gave us more than we gave them. They gave us perspective, humility, and the reminder that even the smallest act of compassion can ripple outward to change the course of a life,” team leader Myhanh Nguyen writes. “Because this is the mission of Operation International. To go where the need is greatest. To repair not only faces, but dignity, confidence and hope.”

Operation International's Team Cleft Repair was established in March 2023 and consists of a dedicated group of doctors and nurses passionate about comprehensive care for children born with cleft lip and palate.