"From Healing to Future Industry Cooperation"... Bom Foundation Expands Public Diplomacy in Vietnam

Korean Product Specialty Store to Open at Hospital 175
Full-scale Launch of Medical and Healthcare Platform

Bom Foundation, which has been supporting victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam, is accelerating efforts to establish a new model for Korea-Vietnam private public diplomacy by expanding its collaboration into the fields of medical care, distribution, and digital healthcare.

A Korean product specialty hall of approximately 150 pyeong was established on the basement level 1 of Hospital 175, a military medical institution located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
[Photo by Byunggeon Kwon]

Bom Foundation and Hoababa Korea Headquarters recently announced that they are working to create a Korean product specialty store spanning approximately 150 pyeong on the basement first floor of 175 Hospital, a military medical institution in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The plan goes beyond a simple retail facility, aiming to develop it into a Korean-style public healthcare platform linked to medical and health management services.

The space will feature Korean consumer and healthcare products, including health supplements, products from Hanmi Pharm, and brands from Woongjin Foods. There are also plans to expand it into a comprehensive life care platform in response to growing demand for medical tourism and health management in the future.

President of the Republic of Korea and spouse's portrait on the left (Portrait by artist Ho Chi Minh Nguyen Ngoc, Son Ha-eun, Chairperson of Homestead Hoa Baba Korea Headquarters, is receiving the portrait. Photo by Byeonggeon Kwon)

This initiative gained momentum as a result of the Agent Orange victim support program and local medical cooperation efforts led by Bom Foundation and Hoababa.

Recently, the foundation delivered a total of 250 million VND in aid to the Ho Chi Minh City Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, and provided an additional 150 million VND to support vulnerable groups in the region.

Furthermore, through a fund created with the participation of Our Bom Co., Ltd. members, the foundation has delivered a total of 170 million VND in medical and living support to 1,000 Agent Orange victims, thereby expanding the scope of its local public interest activities.

The local event was attended by war veterans and senior military officials from Ho Chi Minh City, as well as representatives from over 100 Korean companies. A special talk session was also held, featuring General Son and General Tho from the Vietnamese Army's 175 Hospital, as well as Son Haeun, Chairperson of Bom Foundation and Hoababa Korea Headquarters.

Depicting the scene of a summit meeting with the Vietnamese General Secretary and his spouse on canvas, symbolizing cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
[Photo by Byunggun Kwon]

During the talk session, in-depth discussions took place on expanding support for Agent Orange victims, cooperation in medical, rehabilitation, and digital healthcare, and ways to establish an international public healthcare platform.

Key local media outlets including HTV, Vietnam's national broadcaster, and a reporter from The Asia Business Daily attended the event, focusing attention on cases of Korea-Vietnam private public cooperation.

In particular, it was reported that the foundation received an official commendation proposal from the Vietnamese government in recognition of its humanitarian support and achievements in expanding private exchanges.

Chairperson Son Haeun was also reportedly offered the opportunity by the Vietnamese government to present commemorative gifts symbolizing the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The commemorative gifts to be delivered are said to include an official set of commemorative teacups from the Vietnamese presidential guesthouse, along with two large paintings by Vietnamese artist Ngoc Hoa.

One of the paintings features a portrait of the President of the Republic of Korea and his wife, while the other depicts a summit between the Vietnamese General Secretary and his spouse, symbolizing cooperation and friendship between the two nations.

In diplomatic circles, it is being evaluated that the presentation of commemorative gifts at the national guesthouse is not merely a courtesy, but also a symbol of trust and appreciation for international public service activities and private diplomacy.

The presentation of souvenirs at the national guesthouse is regarded as more than a mere courtesy; it carries a meaning of trust and gratitude toward international public welfare activities and private diplomacy.
[Photo by Byunggeon Kwon]

Chairperson Son stated, "This project goes beyond simple relief or one-time donations; it is a private diplomatic activity that helps heal the wounds of war and build the foundation for future cooperation," adding, "We will continue to work on establishing an international public platform that organically connects medical, welfare, cultural, and industrial cooperation."

Meanwhile, Bom Foundation and Hoababa plan to gradually expand their international public health cooperation projects to include the establishment of general hospitals, specialized hospitals, and rehabilitation centers in Vietnam, as well as the development of digital healthcare systems.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.