at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital were given gifts in celebration of Christmas on Thursday.

The gift-giving event, organized on the cancer hospital’s budget as a result of fewer donors due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, was meant to bring the Christmas atmosphere to the underprivileged children who are fighting cancer.

Each of the children received a cash gift worth VND300,000 (US$13), along with toys, cookies, and bottles of milk.

Le Minh Khoi, a one-year-old cancer patient from the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, was unable to hide his excitement and happiness when receiving the gift.

Le Minh Khoi plays with twisted balloons in his grandmother’s arms at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Le Minh Khoi plays with twisted balloons in his grandmother’s arms at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Khoi’s 58-year-old grandmother, Dieu Nhi, said that the boy was diagnosed with brain tumor five months ago.

Despite the family’s financial difficulties, they have spared no effort to afford Khoi’s treatment.

A man dressed in a Santa Claus costume gives a Santa hat to a child inpatient at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

A man dressed in a Santa Claus costume gives a Santa hat to a child inpatient at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Suffering from blood cancer for years, Thuy An, a nine-year-old girl from the southern province of Dong Nai, shared that her wish is to recover from the disease, go home to her parents, return to school, and meet her friends.

“I want to become a teacher in the future,” said An.

Hundreds of children in cancer treatment at the hospital shared the same wish as An’s.

A woman dressed a clown costume gives away twisted balloons to young inpatients at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

A woman dressed in a clown costume gives away twisted balloons to young inpatients at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients receive gifts on the celebration of Christmas at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients receive gifts on the celebration of Christmas at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients rehearse their Christmas performances at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients rehearse their Christmas performances at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients watch performances on the celebration of Christmas at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients watch performances on the celebration of Christmas at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients watch performances on the celebration of Christmas at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Child inpatients watch performances on the celebration of Christmas at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, December 24, 2020. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

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