Thanks to the support of Caritas Hue, especially the invaluable connection provided by Sr. Nguyen Thi Hien from the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of Hue, the Caritas Dalat was warmly welcomed at several facilities related to mental health run by the government in Hue.
On March 4, 2024, Caritas Dalat visited the Cham Social Protection Center. The meeting with the Center’s Board of Directors was open and a promising step toward fostering a long-term partnership, built on shared dedication to improving the lives of people with mental illnesses. The visit also left the participants with a lighthearted yet profound local saying about Cham: "If you haven't been there, you don't know Cham – Only when you've been there, you understand that Cham moves at its own pace."
Vocational class at Cham Social Protection Center for patients
Continuing the journey, Caritas Dalat visited Kim Long Clinic, where the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception introduced Caritas Dalat to their work. This encounter was a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and gain insights from the sisters’ extensive experience.
Later that afternoon, Caritas Dalat engaged in meaningful discussions with the Board of Directors of Hue Mental Hospital. As one of 36 specialized psychiatric hospitals nationwide, Hue Mental Hospital plays a crucial role in providing both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. It also supports district-level medical centres and social protection facilities in caring for people with mental illnesses.
On March 5, 2024, the journey continued to the La Vang Huong Thien Center in Quang Tri, a facility for individuals seeking to overcome drug addiction. The welcome gate with a striking sight: “Right by the roadside, a very large gate is always open. In the middle of the yard stands a statue of Our Lady of La Vang, her arms gently outstretched like a kind mother, always waiting for her prodigal children.” (Minh Phuong – "There is a house named Huong Thien")
At the Huong Thien facility, Caritas Dalat had the privilege of hearing from Father Francis Xavier Tran An of the Our Lady of the Poor Congregation. He shared insights into the facility’s brief history, and addiction treatment methods, which resonated deeply. Many individuals at Trong Duc Centre struggle with both mental illness and substance use disorders, making this an invaluable learning experience for Caritas Dalat staff. Understanding effective approaches to addiction recovery will help Caritas Dalat provide more holistic and compassionate care to those in need.
On March 6, 2024, with a heartfelt gathering at the Caritas Hue office. Caritas Dalat was warmly welcomed, and both teams exchanged experiences, challenges, and aspirations. The meeting reinforced a shared vision of sustainable collaboration in the future.
This exchange trip was a journey of learning, inspiration, and renewed motivation. Caritas Dalat returned with not only new knowledge and partnerships but also a strengthened commitment to advocating for the dignity, well-being, and recovery of individuals with mental health challenges that those in need both at Trong Duc Centre and in the wider community to receive the care and support they deserve for a life of dignity and hope.