An EU Business Avenue delegation representing more than 50 European healthcare and medical technology companies is participating in the Vietnam Medi-pharm Expo in HCM City for the first time. — VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY — More than 400 local and international enterprises are showcasing advanced medical products and services at the 19th International Medical, Hospital & Pharmaceutical Exhibition that opened in HCM City on Thursday.

The annual expo offers the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries a glimpse into advanced medical technologies and innovations from around the world.

This year’s event also features eight international pavilions from Germany, Europe, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Qatar and Việt Nam.

An EU Business Avenue (EUBA) delegation representing more than 50 European healthcare and medical technology companies is participating in the event for the first time looking for tie-ups with public and private hospitals and enterprises.

The event also features the Busan Medical Tourism Industry Exhibition with 40 booths set up by 30 leading hospitals to promote the Korean city as one of the best medical tourism destinations for Vietnamese.

It is organised by the city and Busan Economic Promotion Agency.

Conferences on the Vietnamese healthcare and pharmacy markets and policies of the Ministry of Health will offer foreign enterprises updates on the market.

The medical technology sector is expected to grow strongly in Việt Nam due to rising healthcare and medical demands and increasing adoption of smart healthcare and management at public and private hospitals in major cities, according to the HCM City Medical Equipment Association.

The Vietnamese medical equipment market has seen annual growth rate of 12-15 per cent in recent years.

The medical devices market is expected to top US$1.3 billion this year, up from $950 million in 2016.

More than 90 per cent is imported from the US, Japan, Germany, Singapore and China.

The 8th Zhejiang Export Fair also opened along with the International Medical, Hospital & Pharmaceutical Exhibition with 106 enterprises from the Chinese province.

High-quality products like hardware, building materials, textiles, household products, machinery, and electronics made in Zhejiang are on display. 

The two expos, organised by the Việt Nam National Trade Fair and Advertising Co., are on at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre and will go on until August 3. — VNS