2005 News Releases

Ho Chi Minh City– Manulife Vietnam, in cooperation with the National Fund for Vietnamese Children, has proudly launched its “Let’s Help Children Go To School” program. Manulife Vietnam is donating VND 180 million to the program that will provide school gifts to 3,000 needy children. Each gift is worth VND 60,000 and includes a T-shirt and notebooks.

The program will take place in 12 provinces and cities where Manulife Vietnam has operations, including: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Can Tho, Long Xuyen, Bac Lieu, My Tho and Binh Duong.

To kick off the program today, Manulife Vietnam staff and agent volunteers paid a visit and presented school gifts to 500 children at Tan Dan primary school in Soc Son District, Hanoi province. The program will run across the country until mid-October 2005.

The “Let’s Help Children Go To School” program demonstrates Manulife Vietnam’s long-term commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities in which it does business, especially for children, the future leaders of the country.

“To Manulife, being a good corporate citizen is fundamental to being a world-class company,” said David Matthews, General Director of Manulife Vietnam. “We are proud to launch this initiative that we hope will help boost the spirit of Vietnamese children. Coinciding with our continuous support of the annual Operation Smile mission, our ‘Let’s Help Children Go To School’ program provides us another opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the communities that have loyally supported our business over the past six years.”

About Manulife (Vietnam) Limited
Manulife Vietnam - the first 100 per cent foreign-owned life insurance company licensed in Vietnam - provides financial services to more than 300,000 customers through a network of 4,000 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 investment-finance consulting business, further expanding Manulife Vietnam’s product offerings for its customers.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 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$364 billion (US$297 billion) as at June 30, 2005.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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For further information, please call:
Hang Luu,
Marketing Manager
Manulife (Vietnam) Limited
Tel: (84-8) 825 7722 Ext. 2502
Fax: (84-8) 825 7718
E-mail: Hang_Luu@manulife.com