UK to support Ho Chi Minh City to become ASEAN health innovation hub

As the most populous city and leading economic hub of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has set clear to become a health innovation centre in the ASEAN region in order to serve Vietnamese people and patients from across neighbouring countries.

The South Asia Research Hub of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in collaboration with the British Consulate General is funding the support for Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to conduct research on improving the quality of medical training, bringing healthcare workforce and medical training facilities to global standards, and expanding research on new disease models and public health demands.

With an initial funding of £75,000 ($90,630), in the next six months, KPMG in Vietnam and Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) will support Ho Chi Minh City to conduct research on the two priorities mentioned above, and organise a study programme to the UK for healthcare experts of Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to the G2G support in health innovation hub project, other major UK businesses and organisations have recently supported Ho Chi Minh City in healthcare development, including the recent partnership in disease surveillance project between OUCRU and CDC, and AstraZeneca Vietnam's R&D hub project.

Ho Chi Minh City and Liverpool are also exploring becoming partner cities in healthcare, connecting and developing together in this area.

“As we celebrate 50 years of deepening friendship and look together to the future, health will be a key pillar of our relationship. I am delighted that we have such a strong UK presence in the health sector here in Vietnam, with such potential for the future,” said Consul General Emily Hamblin.

“As Ho Chi Minh City seeks to build on the excellent foundations of its health sector, I am proud of the collaboration between the UK government and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health in support of the city to become a regional health innovation hub in Southeast Asia. Today we are very pleased to announce the launch of a new Project funded by the UK Government that will see the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and KPMG in Vietnam work together with the City’s Department of Health in pursuit of this goal.”

Luke Treloar, national head of Healthcare and Life Sciences at KPMG in Vietnam said, “Healthcare has played a pivotal role in UK-Vietnam bilateral relations. KPMG Healthcare Strategy is excited to cooperate with Oxford University Clinical Research Unit to help accelerate Ho Chi Minh City's transformation into a regional health innovation hub.”

According to renowned Canadian travel website The Travel, Ho Chi Minh City is among the 10 best destinations in Asia with many great places to visit. The best time to enjoy the good weather in the city is from March to May.

The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 by Startup Genome highlights Ho Chi Minh City's significant progress, placing it among the top emerging startup markets worldwide.

Feasible solutions to promote green transformation and related business opportunities were offered at a major forum last week.