Health Journal Online

Tag: Vietnam

  • Vietnam Reaches Medical Milestone With First Robotic Brain Surgery on Child with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

    Vietnam Reaches Medical Milestone With First Robotic Brain Surgery on Child with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

    The global medical robotics market is undergoing exponential growth. According to Frontiers, the sector was valued at approximately US$27.7 billion in 2023, with projections reaching US$127 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 16.5%.

    Adoption is most prominent in North America and Europe. In 2023, Europe alone had over 3,500 surgical robotic systems and performed more than 280,000 robotic surgeries, according to MarketGrowthReports.

    That future has now reached Southeast Asia. In July, 2025, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City performed Vietnam’s first robotic-guided brain surgery on a pediatric patient with drug-resistant epilepsy, signaling a breakthrough for the region’s neurosurgical capabilities.

    A Precision-Based Intervention in Pediatric Epilepsy

    The patient, B.Q.K., a 9-year-old boy from Hanoi, had suffered from epilepsy since 2021. Despite undergoing multiple treatment regimens across Vietnam and abroad, his condition remained refractory, sometimes experiencing dozens of seizures per day. For five years, his family had been searching for a definitive treatment.

    That breakthrough came in 2025. On June 17, 2025, under the leadership of Dr. Truong Van Tri, with support from Japanese epilepsy specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shunsuke Nakae, the surgical team successfully applied stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) using the AutoGuide™ robotic guidance system. This marks the first-ever use of robotic SEEG for a pediatric patient in Vietnam.

    Vinmec made the life-changing breakthrough possible for the young boy.

    The AutoGuide™ robot enabled precise electrode implantation into high-risk brain areas. These included the orbitofrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus—regions dense with blood vessels and neural pathways. Using 3.0 Tesla MRI and multi-channel EEG, doctors visualized brain activity, mapped the seizure focus, and performed a minimally invasive resection.

    “For the first time, we achieved a near-perfect outcome in pediatric epilepsy surgery thanks to AutoGuide™. This is a critical milestone, especially for young patients who are highly vulnerable to major brain surgery,”said Dr. Tri.

    The patient reported no neurological deficits post-surgery and has since resumed normal activities. His seizure frequency decreased by over 95%, reflecting both the efficacy and safety of the procedure.

    Technology-Driven Medical Excellence

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30% of epilepsy patients are drug-resistant, with surgery often being their best option. Yet in children, localizing the seizure-causing brain zone is especially difficult, as conventional EEG, PET, or MRI frequently yield inconclusive results.

    Robotic SEEG addresses these limitations by offering real-time, sub-millimeter accuracy, reduced invasiveness, and faster recovery times. With this breakthrough, Vinmec Central Park becomes one of the few hospitals in Asia capable of performing robotic pediatric SEEG. Recognized as Vietnam’s leading private hospital system for international patients, the robotic epilepsy surgery also reflects Vinmec’s broader strategy of developing centers of excellence.

    Vietnam’s neurological care is progressing, bringing national standards closer to global benchmarks.

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  • Vietnam Performs World’s First 3D-Printed Femur Transplant on Child with Cancer

    Vietnam Performs World’s First 3D-Printed Femur Transplant on Child with Cancer

    At just eight years old, a Vietnamese boy with bone cancer has received a 3D-printed femur — a medical first that has preserved not only his limb but his childhood.

    In what is now considered a global first, the child underwent a total femur replacement using a fully customized 3D-printed titanium implant. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, all previously documented total femur replacements have relied on traditional implant techniques, with no reported cases involving pediatric patients or 3D-printed, growth-adaptive prostheses.

    The breakthrough procedure was carried out at Vinmec Times City International Hospital in collaboration with VinUni’s Biomedical 3D Lab. It marks not only a technical triumph but also a milestone in the advancement of precision medicine in Vietnam.

    Vietnam is fast becoming a key player in Southeast Asia’s healthcare innovation landscape, as hospitals across the region turn to 3D printing to increase self-reliance and deliver more personalized treatment.

    Market projections reflect this momentum. According to Metatech Insights, the Asia Pacific 3D printing healthcare market is set to expand from USD 1.04 billion in 2025 to over USD 6.7 billion by 2035, driven by a CAGR exceeding 20%.

    Within this context, Vinmec’s femoral implant surgery marks more than a clinical breakthrough. As the nation’s only JCI-accredited health system with Centers of Excellence across four key specialties, Vinmec was honored in 2025 as Hospital Group and Technology Innovator of the Year by the Healthcare Asia Awards.

    Custom-Built Bone Implant Marks Breakthrough in Pediatric Cancer Surgery

    Developed through collaboration between Vinmec Times City International Hospital and biomedical engineers at VinUni’s 3D Lab, the modular titanium implant was designed and produced entirely in Vietnam. Its structure accommodates physical development, making it one of the first growth-adaptive implants of its kind used in children.

    Vinmec performs the 3D-printed total femoral replacement on youngest cancer patient, marking a breakthrough for Vietnam in global precision medicine.
    BY VINMEC

    The treatment was carried out in two surgical phases. In January 2024, the tumor was resected and a temporary cement graft was placed to maintain structural integrity. By May 2025, once the patient had stabilized, the graft was replaced with the patient-specific titanium femur.

    “We contacted foreign manufacturers but there was no suitable design. Self-manufacturing the equipment allows us to be proactive in treatment, it also paves the way for a new direction for Vietnamese medicine.” said MSc. Dr. Tran Duc Thanh, doctor directly engaging in the surgery.

    Beyond the innovation lies a deeply emotional story.

    Diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and after undergoing chemotherapy, the child was advised by several hospitals to have his limb amputated as a life-saving measure. But the patient’s mother held firm in her belief that her son deserved more. Her resolve became the catalyst for one of Vietnam’s most advanced surgical efforts.

    Today, the boy walks with a personalized implant that not only restored his mobility but protected his dignity. In a region rapidly embracing technology, Vietnam’s latest success offers a glimpse of what’s possible when innovation meets compassionate care.

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  • Foreigners in Vietnam Prioritise Doctor Expertise When Choosing Healthcare, Survey Finds

    Foreigners in Vietnam Prioritise Doctor Expertise When Choosing Healthcare, Survey Finds

    When selecting healthcare services in Vietnam, foreign residents prioritize the expertise of medical professionals, according to findings from a newly released survey.

    The survey by Indochina Research Vietnam Ltd. highlights key insights into the healthcare preferences of foreigners living in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho. Vinmec, a leading private hospital chain in Vietnam, leads in brand awareness, with most respondents identifying it as their preferred healthcare provider.

    “This first survey serves as a valuable resource for healthcare institutions in Vietnam, offering them critical data on the needs, expectations, and feedback on past experiences of foreign residents in healthcare facilities in four key cities.” said Xavier Depouilly, General Director of Indochina Research Vietnam.

    The survey was conducted over two months in early 2025 across key urban districts in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho. Using a mix of face-to-face and online surveys, the research gathered insights from foreign nationals aged 18 and above who had used or been aware of medical facilities in Vietnam.

    In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, participants needed three months’ residency in Vietnam and intent to stay six more. In Da Nang and Can Tho, respondents were required to have lived in Vietnam for at least one month, with plans to stay for a further six months.

    According to the study, 80% of respondents in Hanoi, 71% in Ho Chi Minh City, and 78% in Da Nang are familiar with Vinmec’s services, placing the hospital at the top of awareness charts across all surveyed cities. Family Medical Practice, Hanoi French Hospital, and FV Hospital are other top healthcare facilities identified in the survey.

    Vinmec, a leading private hospital chain in Vietnam, leads in brand awareness amongst foreigners living in Vietnam as their preferred healthcare provider.
    PHOTO BY VINMEC

    Among factors influencing healthcare choices, foreigners in Vietnam prioritize doctors’ expertise (53%), followed by the availability of advanced medical equipment (48%) and the quality of patient care or empathy (40%). These preferences remain consistent across cities, although location-specific preferences are evident.

    Within the last two years, 88% of expatriates have engaged with healthcare facilities in Vietnam, predominantly for individual health concerns. Services most often sought include routine health assessments (48%), dental treatments (39%), and standard medical advice (38%). On the other hand, cosmetic enhancements and mental health support are rarely utilized or relied upon, with a mere 3% participation rate.

    Looking ahead, 87% of respondents plan to use medical services in Vietnam within the next 6-12 months. Dental care (59%) and health check-ups (58%) are the most anticipated services.

    For adult treatments, Vinmec is consistently ranked as the top choice across all regions. Meanwhile, when it comes to pediatric care, Family Medical Practice takes the lead.

    For emergency care, preferences vary by city. Vinmec and the FV Hospital are top picks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City respectively. Vinmec is the first choice in Danang, while foreigners in Can Tho prefer the Can Tho University of Medicine as their top option.

    As Vietnam continues to grow as a hub for international business and medical tourism, understanding the healthcare preferences of foreign residents is crucial.
    Xavier emphasized: “We hope these findings will contribute to improving the quality and breadth of healthcare services for expatriates and their families and, in turn, foster the development of medical services in Vietnam.”

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