Vietnam shares experience in balancing health, economic targets at APEC meeting
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen shared Vietnam’s experience in realising the twin target of curbing the COVID-19 pandemic and sustaining economic growth, at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held in Bangkok on August 25 - 26.
The 12th APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy, held in Bangkok (Thailand) on August 25 - 26. (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Health Do XuanTuyen shared Vietnam’s experience in realising the twin target of curbing the COVID-19 pandemic and sustaining economic growth, at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) meeting held in Bangkok on August 25 - 26.
The 12th APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and theEconomy (HLM12) took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out in early2020 and has yet to be over and has caused substantial impacts on people’s health andeconomies in the region and the world.
It focused on three main issues – “Open to Partnership”, “Connectwith the World”, and “Balance Health and the Economy”.
At a roundtable discussionabout global health security, Deputy Minister Tuyen highlighted Vietnam’sexperience in COVID-19 prevention and control.
He stressed that Vietnam has obtained many significantachievements in various fields, including sustaining economic growth.
Thanks to the application of drastic and effective solutions, the COVID-19pandemic has been placed under control nationwide, the macro-economy kept stable, major balanced ensured, and people’s life increasingly improved, while production and businesses activities have returned to pre-pandemic levels, he said.
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen attends the meeting in Bangkok. (Photo: VNA)
The official said as soon as the pandemic was recorded inVietnam, the Health Ministry swiftly coordinated with other ministries,sectors, and localities to contain the coronavirus transmission.
The country stepped up its vaccine diplomacy, established the COVID-19Vaccine Fund, boosted vaccine import and development as well as the transfer ofvaccine production technology, and launched the biggest-ever vaccinationcampaign. Its National Assembly and Government also issued resolutions toguarantee health and social security, which demanded urgent solutions toCOVID-19 and investment in socio-economic recovery and development.
Vietnam has also proactively assisted other countries facingdifficulties in pandemic response and economic recovery, according to Tuyen.
At the discussion, participants also shared their economies’ integratedpolicies on COVID-19 response. They also scrutinised the draft HLM12 Chairstatement, which will be reported to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting thisNovember./.
Medical equipment donated by the Australian Department of Defence for Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control was handed over to the Ministry of National Defence at a ceremony in Hanoi on July 13.
Vietnam’s GDP growth is forecast to expand 7.5% in 2022 and 6.7% in 2023, with resilient manufacturing and a robust rebound in services serving as the driving forces for economic recovery.
Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi highlighted the achievements accomplished by a cohesive ASEAN amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the 55th ASEAN Day Celebration on August 8.
A report recently released by Australia’s Perth USAsia Centre has pointed out some factors making Vietnam an increasingly desirable partner to Australia and other countries.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
The 12th APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy, held in Bangkok (Thailand) on August 25 - 26. (Photo: VNA) 
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen attends the meeting in Bangkok. (Photo: VNA) 
