HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — An ambulance boat fully equipped with emergency equipment giving it the necessary tools to potentially save lives and transport patients in a region that is completely surrounded by water has been delivered to the Mekong Delta Province of Ben Tre.

The boat worth AUS35,000 (VND569 million) was donated by Heart Research Australia, New World Saigon Hotel through a fund-raising drive that began last December to help save remote communities in the Mekong Delta, the Harley Davidson of Saigon , Viet Nam Bike Week, and H.O.G Saigon Chapter.

The boat will be put to good use as an emergency rescue craft, benefiting among many others poor people in Thanh Hai Island in Thanh Phu District.

NGO Heart Reach Australia, which came to Viet Nam in 1990, has helped change the quality of life in several poor communities through its programmes, medical facilities, education, and assistance.

On December 24 Caravelle Hotel will announce how much money it has raised through a 20-day silent auction whose proceeds will go to Vinacaptial Foundation's Heartbeat Viet Nam programme that helps children with heart problems. — VNS