Orphanages Near Mui Ne
and Throughout Binh Thuan

The The Department of Labor, Invalid and Social Affairs (DOLISA) in Phan Thiet oversees orphanages in Phu Hai (between Mui Ne and Phan Thiet) as well as Ham Tan (SouthWest of Phan Thiet).

The Phu Hai orphanage has approximately 30-35 children in the moment, most of whom are under 6 years of age. There are also 2-3 teenagers living there. Their circumstances vary, but most were left at the Phan Thiet hospital as newborns. It should be noted that though this orphanage is close in proximity to Mui Ne (the tourism center of Binh Thuan province), it is vitually unknown the local resort community. We highly encourage anyone connected to the tourism industry to consider sponsoring this orphanage. We challenge the local resorts to keep the enrollment of children at these orphanages as low as possible by promoting it to their guests.

To visit this orphanage, traveling from Mui Ne: Head towards Phan Thiet. After you pass the toll at the bottom of the hill below the Cham towers, take an immediate right. You will pass a school on your right, and then a large new pagoda (temple). The river will be on your left all the while. The very next building on your right will be the orphanage. It is gated and sits inconspicuously on the hill next to the pagoda. Visitors will need to bring an interpreter as no one on site speaks English. The staff is kind and friendly and welcomes visitors. You may reach them at 062811788 (in vietnam).

If you wish to bring gifts or supplies to the orphanage at Phu Hai, the following can always be used: milk, fruit, cakes and candies; cloths and toys for toddlers and infants; school supplies for children in their first years of school; appropriate gifts on birthdays, christmas, Tet and other holidays. Please also consider supporting the staff with gifts as well. They have made strong commitment and sacrifice to care for these children, with very meager salaries.

The Adoption Center of Washington, D.C. has raised over $20,000 through donations for the orphanage located in Ham Tan. $15,000 has already been sent to build a new orphanage. Construction was started in November 2004. $15,000 per year will care for 15 children in the orphanage; and $12,000 will care for 50 elderly for one year. Please visit www.AdoptionCenter.com for more information, photos and to learn how you can contribute.

The orphanages in Ham Tan have a long history. During the war with America, they were said to contain 150-300 children at a single time.

There are a variety of circumstances at the root of why there are orphans. We must seek to address them all if we want to find a solution. We would like to bring to light one issue to visiting tourists: prostitution. Many tourists visit SouthEast Asian countries for the purpose of sex tourism. There are many reasons why this is wrong and many ways that it damages the local community. However, before you seek out a prostitute, please consider the child you may be creating and leaving behind--the child you will never know, and the difficult life they will leave because of your actions.

Pictures Above Right: Orphans at the Phu Hai orphanage receive presents. Pictures above Left: Orphans previously in Phu Hai and now in Ham Tan, receive signed CD's from singers Le Hieu, Hong Ngoc and Ho Ngoc Ha.

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