Participant at the “Việt Nam–South Korea Medical Equipment Day 2025” seminar on Thursday in Hà Nội.— VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — International cooperation in medical technology and equipment, particularly with South Korea, one of the world’s leading countries in the medical industry, holds significant practical and strategic importance for Việt Nam.

Because Việt Nam’s health sector is facing multiple challenges, including growing demand for modernisation of infrastructure and medical equipment, increasingly strict requirements for effective and safe management and rising pressures relating to costs, manpower and technology.

Nguyễn Minh Lợi, Director General of the Department of Medical Infrastructure and Equipment under the Ministry of Health, made this remark at the “Việt Nam–South Korea Medical Equipment Day 2025” seminar.

The event was organised by the Việt Nam Medical Device Association (VIMEDAS) in collaboration with the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) and Tâm Đức TDG Joint Stock Company.

Lợi also said that the seminar reflects a spirit of deep and comprehensive cooperation, while opening up new opportunities for both sides to learn and grow together based on the principles of cooperation, sharing, substance and effectiveness.

In term of cooperation, this is the key to sustainable development. Việt Nam hopes to further establish and strengthen channels of cooperation with South Korea in research, training, technology transfer, production and supply of medical equipment.

In term of sharing, South Korea’s valuable experience in management, investment, application and technological innovation will serve as a useful reference for Việt Nam. In return, Việt Nam is ready to share its own practices, models and practical needs, enabling partners to better understand and accompany its health system.

In term of substance, every discussion and agreement should focus on specific issues, aligned with Việt Nam’s conditions.

In term of effectiveness, success will be measured by tangible results such as the implementation of joint projects, adoption of new technologies, improvement in equipment quality, and ultimately, better services for patients.

“With a spirit of sincere cooperation and extensive sharing, we believe the seminar will deliver practical and effective outcomes, opening up new opportunities for Việt Nam’s medical equipment sector to develop in a modern, integrated and comprehensive way,” Lợi said.

Participants watch a live broadcast of spinal endoscopic surgery and artificial joint replacement performed by a specialist team at Daechun Hospital in South Korea, at the seminar on Tuesday in Hà Nội.— VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, Cha Soon Do, President of KHIDI, said that this is still the early stage of exploring the potential for cooperation between Vietnamese and Korean enterprises, as well as the healthcare markets of both sides.

Over the two-day seminar, which is scheduled to be wrapped up on Friday, South Korean companies are presenting their medical equipment systems, while Vietnamese participants are providing information on Việt Nam’s medical device market.

“This exchange aims to help both sides identify mutual needs and cooperation opportunities,” he added.

In addition, networking sessions between enterprises and senior policymakers, industry heads and technology experts from both countries are expected to strengthen mutual understanding and help chart future directions for cooperation.

He also said that the partnership between KHIDI and Vietnamese counterparts has entered its second year.

Last year, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the Việt Nam Medical Device Association.

Earlier on Thursday, another MoU was concluded with the Việt Nam Private Hospital Association.

“In the coming period, we will implement these agreements in the most practical way, enabling both sides to jointly develop policies on medical equipment, advance healthcare more broadly, and track technological trends to support the growth of Việt Nam’s medical equipment sector,” he said.

He expressed hope that through the seminar, Vietnamese officials and enterprises will gain deeper insights into the healthcare market, medical technologies and equipment of South Korea, as well as hospital practices, thereby paving the way for future cooperation.

As part of the event, organisers arranged a live broadcast of spinal endoscopic surgery and artificial joint replacement performed by a specialist team at Daechun Hospital in South Korea. This was accompanied by professional exchanges and in-depth discussions on joint replacement surgery and the application of advanced technologies in surgery and rehabilitation, featuring Professor Hae-Ryong Song.

“The activity, we hope, will create the most practical opportunities for collaboration, moving beyond agreements on paper,” he said.

The seminar is expected to serve as a bridge for technology, trade and human resources, and to stand out as a flagship event in the 2025 series of healthcare trade promotion and technology transfer activities between Việt Nam and South Korea.

It is seen as a long-term strategic initiative that will bring concrete benefits to organisations, businesses and people in both countries. — VNS