The operations were part of a charity programme that started in 2009. This year, it was sponsored by Doosan Vina, Chung Ang University Hospital and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co Ltd in the RoK.

Professor Bae Tae Hee said he is happy to bring smile back to needy Vietnamese children and guarantee them a "better future".

Luong Thi Ly, mother of one of the children, said she is very happy with the results of the operation, and added that she hopes more Vietnamese children will receive free surgery from Doosan Vina.

The programme cost US$30,000 including airfares, surgical fees and accommodation, said Le Trang Tinh, manager of Doosan Vina's external relations department.