2010 News Releases

Ho Chi Minh City– As part of its 11^th anniversary celebration, Manulife Vietnam, in cooperation with the Red Cross of District 7 and Humanitarian Blood Donation Center, launched a blood donation drive today in Ho Chi Minh City. More than 150 blood donors including Senior Management, employees and agents, volunteered to donate at Manulife Plaza Headquarters. The program will be expanded to other cities and provinces of the country such as Ha noi, Da Nang, and Can Tho during June and July.

This blood donation program demonstrates Manulife Vietnam’s long-term commitment to helping improve the quality of life in the communities in which it does business. 

“In the past eleven years, Manulife’s success has not only been built on its strong and reliable business track record but also through involvement in our communities through charities and education initiatives,” said Mr. Carl Gustini, CEO & General Director of Manulife Vietnam, at the launch today.

“To Manulife, being a good corporate citizen is a part of our corporate culture. It gives me great pleasure to see many of our agents and employees support this meaningful cause, which demonstrates our strong sense of active contribution to the community. Manulife prides itself on being a company people can rely on, for both aiding those in need in our communities and for delivering on our promises,” he added.

In addition to ongoing support for Operation Smile Vietnam to help improve the smiles and faces of thousands of children with facial deformities, this blood donation program reflects Manulife Vietnam’s corporate social responsibility. These programs are designed to improve the future of the community, especially with regard to education and health-related programs, where the Company can make a positive difference for a better life and better future.

Many Manulife employees and agents have been donating blood on a regular and ongoing basis for years and have encouraged others to join as well.

Said Dr. Pham Van Quan, Deputy Director of the Humanitarian Blood Donation Center: “On behalf of the Center, we highly appreciate Manulife staff and agents’ enthusiastic response to the appeal for blood donation and we look forward to the nationwide expansion since the whole country urgently needs safe blood. Even in Ho Chi Minh City, where many people volunteer to give blood, donations only satisfy 80% of need by hospitals. Giving blood means saving more lives.”

About Manulife Vietnam

Manulife Vietnam – the first 100 per cent foreign-owned life insurance company licensed in Vietnam – provides financial services to 300,000 customers through a network of over 6,600 professionally qualified agents. Manulife has been operating in Vietnam since June 1999. On June 14, 2005, Manulife Vietnam Fund Management (MVFM), a wholly owned local subsidiary of Manulife Vietnam, was granted license to operate a fund management and portfolio management services, further expanding Manulife Vietnam’s product offerings for its customers.

Manulife Vietnam remains committed to supporting the communities, in which it conducts business in both educational and charitable activities, donating a total of more than VND 9 billion since 1999.  Some of the organizations and programs to which the Company has donated time and money include: the Vietnam Association for Promoting and Supporting Educational Development, Terry Fox Foundation, Operation Smile, Health Check and Care programs, Saigon Children’s Charity, National Library for the Blind, the annual Manulife Care and Let’s Help Children Go To School program.

About Manulife Financial:

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$446 billion (US$440 billion) as at March 31, 2010.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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