The Vietnamese government is prioritizing the modernization of the health sector as a central pillar of sustainable development and social security. This strategic focus is implemented by strengthening the grassroots health system and driving major advancements in medical technology, particularly in vaccine development as an instrument of national security.
At the local level, various governance innovations have been implemented to bring healthcare access closer to the public. Da Nang City, for instance, has decentralized the management of health posts directly to the ward level to enhance the effectiveness of epidemic response and population management. Similar steps were taken by Hung Yen Province, which carried out a massive redistribution of medical personnel and established partnerships between general hospitals and primary care facilities to ensure higher quality service standards for residents in remote areas.
Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City took a bold step by revitalizing regional health centers into basic-level hospitals. This strategy aims to create a multi-centric health system capable of managing chronic cases and emergencies independently, thereby significantly reducing the operational burden on tertiary hospitals. These efforts are supported by various social organizations actively providing free medical care to people in remote regions.
On the technology front, the government emphasizes self-reliance in vaccine research and production. Aligned with national strategic resolutions, the health sector is shifting from a curative mindset to a proactive-preventive one. Investment in research and development (R&D) capabilities and the establishment of public-private partnerships are key to accelerating domestic vaccine innovation.
The success of this transformation is also evident in Quang Ninh Province, which has mastered complex medical techniques such as organ transplantation and cardiac surgery. With central hospital referral rates reduced to under 1%, Quang Ninh demonstrates that integrating digital technology and electronic health records can optimize service quality while improving overall healthcare cost efficiency.
