Ping & Amy Chao - Children’s HeartLink

Vietnam National Children’s Hospital’s success as a Center of Excellence was made possible with continued support from the Ping and Amy Chao Family Foundation and Transparent Fish Fund. In their own words, they reflect on their nine year journey helping Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (VNCH) become a Children’s HeartLink Center of Excellence:

Small group of medical professionals gathered around a table discussing an MRI image.

Case discussion during UCSF medical volunteers’ first visit to Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in 2018.

“The cellist Yo-Yo Ma once shared that his philosophy is ‘to transmit something, so that it lives in somebody else.’ That inspiration alone beautifully captures our journey in supporting VNCH toward becoming a Children’s HeartLink Center of Excellence.

For years, we carried a deep and aching love for children born with complex heart defects. Yet we came to understand that love alone cannot repair a complex heart defect. Through Children’s Heartlink’s work with VNCH, that love found its outlet.

What moved us most was the way the VNCH team grew their clinical experiences, medical standards, and steadfast commitment. Their determination to save every heart reminded us that medical work doesn’t need to be the work of one hospital alone. It truly takes a village to save a child. Today, through Children’s Heartlink, VNCH has become that very village, a steadfast, systematic, life-giving community of care for countless families in need.”

Your Gift Provides Lifesaving Care to Countless Children in Need

Walking alongside this work has been one of the most meaningful missions we have ever had the privilege to support. We are being much encouraged that it will continue to light hope in the hearts of every child it touches.

–Ping and Amy Chao

The impact of witnessing Vietnam National Children’s Hospital’s growth

“The mission of Children’s HeartLink is deeply important to us because hope alone is not enough.

Large conference room filled with medical professionals discussing MRI images in front of the room.

Case discussion at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital with UCSF medical volunteers in 2025.

Watching VNCH grow over the past nine committed years has enlightened the most fundamental question: If such complex medical knowledge, clinical experience, could ever truly be shared across borders and languages?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Through the dynamic between VNCH, the dedicated team at UCSF, and Children’s HeartLink, we witnessed something extraordinary. The University of California, San Francisco team did not simply bring medical expertise, they brought their whole selves to VNCH. They dedicated countless time, energy, traveling, and genuine care. That same heart extended into the very walls of the hospital as their own. Whether it was reviewing every piece of equipment or refining protocols, upholding the highest surgical standards, mentoring teams year after year. In long hours of focused training and shared determination, responsibility, wisdom, precision, experience, and compassion were woven together.

This profound connection deepened our gratitude and sense of purpose in this mission.”

The Importance of Children’s HeartLink’s mission

Close up of a small child's hand resting on a hospital bed with tubs running into it. “The mission of Children’s HeartLink is deeply important to us because hope, by itself, is not enough to save children.

Children’s HeartLink provides the “link” for that hope to go further. The deep connection that carries healing hands, shared expertise, and lifesaving systems across borders and into operating rooms where small hearts are waiting for a chance.

Through this global network of clinical expertise and compassionate partnership, it transforms hope far away into beating, thriving hearts and a childhood being healed.”

Hopes and wishes for Vietnam National Children’s Hospital

“Now that VNCH is a Center of Excellence, our hope is that it fully embraces its role as a place where knowledge is consistently shared, equipment is always ready, experience is continually renewed, and hearts remain open; treating every new patient with the same soulful dedication that has defined its journey.

The spark that VNCH has nurtured is now ready to reach even farther; training more doctors across the provinces of Vietnam, inspiring them to carry forward the same commitment and compassion. As a Center of Excellence, VNCH is not only caring for children today but is multiplying its impact for the generations to come.

Through this mission, many children will have the chance to grow up healthy, strong, and create their own stories to tell.”

Mother watching her baby play in a hospital playpen.

Pediatric cardiac care is a highly-specialized field and requires a multi-disciplinary approach to care. Growing Children’s HeartLink Centers of Excellence is critical to sustaining and expanding access to lifesaving care to more children born with heart disease.

Your long-term support and commitment makes this mission a reality.

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